Spring corn in January ? Mt Saint Helens

Kyle Miller · **Joined:** Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:40 pm **Posts:** 484

After a not so eventful Saturday of Ripping the groomers up at Crystal Scott, Dan and myself made the 3 hour drive down to Mt Saint Helens on Sunday morning. It was a early morning waking up at 3:15 AM so I could pick up Dan in West Seattle and make it to Tacoma to meet up with Scott by 5:00. Well we finally left Tacoma around 5:45 and getting our gear situated at the Marblemount Snow park by 9:00. The parking lot had quite a few cars and it seemed that people were either snowshoeing or boot packing (skinners were few and far between). While it was a bluebird day the winds were brutal almost knocking us over at lower elevations and almost sending us into the Crater up top it didn't feel like January at all.

The first view of Saint Helens through the trees

Scott Skinning up one of the lower gullies of the wormflows

Scoping out the best ascent route

Then slowly climbing the ridge with Adams in the background

Dans final few steps up to the crater

Dan up on the Summit rim

The devastation zone, spirit lake and Mt Rainier

The Crater walls

and now what were here for skiing
Looking down our run from 8'300 to 2'600 on the worm flows

Scott scoping out the corn

Then Dan ripping down the southern slopes

one last shot of Saint Helens on the way out

As for the conditions it didn't corn up properly and was icy for nearly the whole run until the last 2'000 vert. My guess is that it is because of the wind but on a good note if you can deal with the runnels on the last 1'000 vert you can ride all the way down to the car.

HikeforTurns · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:14 am

Nice work. Way to get out and make the best of the conditions. :thatrocks:

ibisbiking · **Joined:** Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:33 pm **Posts:** 52

Nice work...I am thinking about going up there maybe tuesday or wednesday...if the weather cooperates. Any word on the $15 day climbing permit. Seems kinda steep.

Anyways if anyone out there is into a possible trip this tuesday or wednesday leaving from portland area, let me know

cheerio
jason

Kyle Miller · **Joined:** Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:40 pm **Posts:** 484

Climbing permits are Free until May but you do need a snowpark permit (11 dollars) or else you will get a 52 dollar parking ticket :cry:

.

spicoli11 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:14 am

Thanks for the report... I could get used to this inversion snow we've had lately..conditions have been really nice!!

bcrider · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:50 am

Cool pics Kyle! :thatrocks:

Bummer about that spot in the camera.

Splitboard.com Forums

Spring corn in January ? Mt Saint Helens

Who is online