Programs
Education
“Into the Crater: a Guided Science Hike to Crater Glacier”
Instructor: Andy Barsotti
September 7 (evening campout) to September 8 (hiking day)
Join the Mount St. Helens Institute on an extremely rare opportunity to explore an awe-inspiring area of Mount St. Helens that is not open to the public. The Mount St. Helens Institute has been given special permission to take three groups of 12 guests into the crater this summer. The trip begins on Friday evening at the Institute’s field camp near Windy Ridge. After a hosted dinner, we’ll share some insights from 31 years of scientific discovery before climbing into our tents. An early morning start will be complete with a breakfast, packed lunches and a quick ride to the trailhead. From there, we’ll hike approximately 6.5 miles across the Pumice Plain, into the crater and up to the base of Crater Glacier, America’s youngest and still growing glacier. Along the way, you’ll hear from an expert geologist and biologist about the stark and beautiful landscape around you.
Make-or-Break Date: August 24
Meeting Time: TBA
Meeting Place: TBA
Hike Level: Strenuous
Requirements: Participants must be in excellent physical condition and have extensive prior hiking experience because of the rigorous demands of this unique hike. This is a challenging 13 mile round-trip hike with 2,600 feet of elevation gain/loss. Much of the hike is off-trail and includes snowfield and stream crossings. The ability to ascend and descend long, steep, rocky and ash-covered slopes is essential.
Gear: To see the list of required gear for our field seminars, click here.
Fee: $500 (of which $400 is a tax-deductible contribution to the Institute)
Limit: 12
Details will be e-mailed to participants on the “make-or-break” date.
