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Mount Saint Helens Climb

March 1, 2025

Coordinator: Tobiah Meinzen

Summit Altitude: 8 feet
Elevation Gain: 5 feet
Round-trip Distance: 12 miles
Excursion Time: 8 hours (car-to-car)

MSH is a great non-technical climb in the PNW! While still quite arduous with 5k+ feet of elevation gain, it lacks the steep angle risks of a peak like Mt Hood. Therefore MSH is a great way to test your fitness and gear before attempting a Mt Hood or Mt Adams (no technical, but longer and taller) summit.

Climbing MSH is also just a wonderful way to spend the first Saturday in March!

A final climbing decision will be made the week-of due to uncertainties in weather and avalanche forecast. A possible alternative climb date may be Saturday March 22nd.

Each climber is expected to review the weather and avalanche forecast for themselves prior to climbing.


Route:Standard winter route

Start Time:6-7 am

Trailhead:Marble Mountain Sno-Park

Parking Permit:Washington State Sno-Park Permit

Car-to-Car Duration:8-10 hours

Skis are optional (I'll most likely be on skis.)

Excellent lengthier description of the route from Puget Sound Outdoors

GPS Route track from 2023

Weather Forecast and Avalanche Forecast


Please come prepared to climb as a group. That means you will have to slow down if you are stronger than the average climber.

If you haven't climbed with me previously, please email me your climbing experience, when you graduated from climb school, and who your instructors were at tbmeinzen@gmail.com

Signed Up: 11
Tentative: 1
Awaiting Approval: 1
Maximum Allowed: 7
Equipment
Required Equipment (each participant): Ice axe, Crampons, Avy Gear: Probe, Shovel, Beacon (highly highly recommended, may be required dependent on avalanche forecast), Helmet, Sunglasses (glacier glasses preferred), Insulated waterproof gloves, Crampon-compatible boots, Warm layers, Hardshell jacket/pants, Lunch, Snacks, Water
Optional Equipment (each participant): Skis (Climbing Skins/ Ski Crampons), Snowshoes (if snow is soft you are climbing without skis), Radios (Rocky Talkies or equivalent), GPS/inReach,
Not Required: No climbing equipment (harness, biners, prussik, etc) is needed.
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