Programs
Education
Geology on High: a Summit Climb of Mount St. Helens
Instructor: Larry Mastin
September 7 (optional evening campout) - Septmber 8 (climbing day)
This field seminar will begin Friday night at Climber’s Bivouac*, the beautiful and remote base camp for climbing Mount St. Helens. After setting up your own camp spot, you will gather with other participants around a campfire (weather permitting) to learn about the geological history of the Cascade volcanoes with a focus on Mount St. Helens. MSHI staff will brief you on what to expect on the climb and answer any last-minute questions.
In the morning, we’ll climb the most active volcano in the continental United States. Larry Mastin will help us better understand the landscape around us. As we ascend Monitor Ridge we’ll examine volcanic rocks of various types and experience the upper flank of a volcano sculpted by erosion and previous eruptions. Once at the summit, we’ll have a close-up view into the crater to see something rare: the exposed inner core of a volcano.
*Participants are not required to camp overnight at Climber’s Bivouac. They may meet the group at 6:30 am Saturday for the climb.
Make-or-break Date: August 24
Meeting Time: September 7 at 9 pm*
Meeting Place: Climber’s Bivouac
Level: Very Difficult
Requirements: Participants must be in excellent physical condition because of the rigorous demands of the 12-hour climb. You will climb 4,500 vertical feet in 5 miles. It is roughly a 6-hour, one-way climb to the crater rim. Technical mountain-climbing experience is not necessary but 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 guided climbs, click here.
Fee: $200 ($150 covers cost of climbing permit and program and $50 is a tax-deductible contribution to the Institute).
Limit: 10
Details will be e-mailed to participants on the “make-or-break” date.
