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Upcoming activity

Mount Saint Helens – Monitor Ridge Climb

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    Sign up will open on
    05 / 14 / 2026

  • Start date: 06/28/2026

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/28/2026

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Join us for a climb of the standard summer route on Mt. Saint Helens, Monitor Ridge. This non-technical route follows a maintained trail for about 2 miles to a steep, rough Class 2 climbers trail that takes us to the crater rim and fabulous views of the crater and north to Mt. Rainier. From there we traverse west along the rim to the summit. Loose footing, boulder hopping, some snow, and a couple of minor scrambles will be encountered. Large snow cornices and crumbling cliff top edges will be avoided! If snow cover is sufficient we may opt for ascending and descending on snow where possible. Total elevation gain is 4600 ft, thus participants must be capable of sustained, steep, uphill travel on rough terrain for 4-6 hours (like hiking the Spencer Butte west trail 6.5 times in a row with a 20-25 lb pack). We will meet at the Climbers Bivouac trailhead at 5:00 AM on climb day so plan on spending the night at the Climbers Bivouac trailhead campground (or nearby) as it's a 4-5 hour drive from Eugene). Suggested donation to drivers is $40.70.

Photo by: Steve Davis

  • Event Leader: Steve Davis

  • Event Leader Phone: 832-527-1756

  • Event Leader Email: lunaripple1@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader: Miranda Trieston

  • Event category: Climbs

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 370

  • Season: 2026

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Upcoming

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Boots with heels (no low topped footwear), wool or synthetic fiber layers for any kind of weather (no cotton), trekking poles (optional), micro spikes (spikes, not cables like some YakTrax) or crampons, 10 essentials, sun protection, personal 1st aid kit including necessary medications, food and 3+ liters liquid (water, electrolite drink) for a long day. If planning to glissade participants will need to bring an ice axe and climbing helmet (required if using an ice axe or crampons).

  • participant prerequisites: Excellent physical conditioning, capable of sustaining 4-6 hours of strenuous uphill travel. If snow conditions are appropriate we may glissade the upper part of the route during our descent - climbers who choose to glissade must have prior experience with glissading and self-arrest with an ice axe.

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8.8 miles

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 4600 feet

  • Non-Member Fees: 35

  • Committee: Climbs

  • Junior member fees: —