I find great joy in standing on the peaks of mountains.
I find even greater joy when it takes every speck of energy I have to get there.
There are two large and active volcanoes that are very well known in Washington State. One of them is Mount Rainier, which I’ve visited twice now, but to summit Mount Rainier it takes training, and somewhat extensive planning.
The other one, a bit more “active,” a bit more rugged, but a bit more accessible is Mount St. Helens. This has always been on my list of “must climbs,” yet wasn’t on my radar until I got a text two weeks prior to the climb that went something like this.
“Hey, I’ve got two permits to climb Mount St. Helens on October 17th, do you want to go?”
You don’t have to ask me twice. After requesting the day off, finding a hotel for the night before, and packing my bag FULL of food I was ready.
The beginning of the hike was mild, I like to think it was the warm up before the real hike. Only 1000ft elevation spaced over two miles was more than manageable. Once we hit 4800′ though, not only were permits required, but perseverance was too.
Just past the tree line were the first signs of a blow. Back in 1980 this active volcano erupted causing a catastrophe that killed many people and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. It is now known as one of the deadliest active volcanoes.
Awesome.
It was past this tree line that the hike really began, starting with the above field of boulders. With nothing but a handful of trail markers to guide us it was a bit of a puzzle to find where to go. What I knew for sure was that “up” was a solid direction.
Like where’s Waldo, stick version.
The boulders were fun, though a bit sketchy at times. The vertical climb was more mental than physical at this point of the hike. Each step needed to be precise to ensure avoiding any loose rocks.
After 2500′ of ash pumice boulders, the final stretch came into sight. This is when the weather started to take a turn. The rain started to fall and the wind got stronger. From this point to the top it was a complete mental sludge.
There was so much loose ash and rocks it felt like one step forward, two steps back. I had to keep my head down because anytime I looked up I was convinced I had made zero progress. I never wanted to stop, but I was definitely tired and cold.
After sludging for what felt like lightyears I passed a girl that said something to me that lit a fire under my feet. She was struggling just as hard as I was yet with a smile said to me, “you can only go up for so long right?”
Damn right, and thank you for that.
After four hours, 2 bananas, 2 kiwis, 2 Kit’s Organic Clif Bars (obsessed), 2 servings of pumpkin seeds, and an apple – the crater from the eruption was found.
I didn’t stay at the summit for long due to frozen hands and a thick fog cover, but the 10 minutes I did stay were 10 minutes of pure accomplishment.
Photos don’t even begin to do this sight justice, but it’s all I’ve got.
Unlike any terrain I’ve hiked before, and officially the tallest peak I’ve stood on (8365′) Mount St. Helens is my most unique summit to date. It also fueled my soul for more. I want to hit the 10,000′ spot on Mount Rainier so bad.
The climb down was a bit of a cold blur, but provided a great view of the trees when we came upon the home stretch. It took 3hrs to get down making 7 hrs total.
I’d like to thank the trail markers for keeping me sane, and lost in the right direction.
From death comes life and despite the destruction the eruption caused, life is slowly but surely coming back on this volcano.
Oh, and before I forget – shout out to the volcano for not erupting again on October 17th, I wasn’t quite ready for that.
Q: What gives you a huge sense of accomplishment?
54 thoughts on “Mount St. Helens Summit”
whostardis
wow that is amazing!! i have never climbed a mountain before but man that just really makes me want to now! what an amazing accomplishment!!! awesome pictures too, i cant even imagine what that was like in real life!!
Anthony
Awesome accomplishment and awesome pictures!
B
The photos are amazing. I think sometimes it’s easy for us to forget that while nature is beautiful, it can be deadly as well.
allisonfiorini
Beautiful! Just amazing. I visited Mount St. Helens once, but sadly did not climb it. I love living vicariously through you!
Just a Running Chick
Cool! My brother used to live in Maui. The pictures of the top of Mount Haleakala didn’t really express what it was like either – I understand!
Matt
So, so awesome! Many different things can give me a sense of accomplishment, but the most meaningful to me are often the ones that I work the hardest for or overcome the most for.
Brittany
I couldn’t have put it better myself!
shellybartz
Wow! Great job! I climbed Half Dome three times (retired now) and felt like Queen of the world ! I’m glad I got to see your view from your pics! Fantastic!
Brittany
Oh wow, Half Dome is at the TOP of my list! How awesome.
carrie
i LOVE the accomplishment that hiking gives me! i’m in Arizona for about a month so i’m planning some hiking in the Grand Canyon. i’m already excited for it!
Brittany
That’s awesome! I need to conquer The Grand Canyon, and keep trying to get my family in Arizona to go with me! I’m not sure which area you’re in, but Camelback Mountain is a good one too!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Great job lady, and beautiful pictures!! I can completely relate – reaching the peak of a hard hike is such an amazing feeling. My hubby and I have been considering doing a hardcore hike like Mount Rainier too! We shall see 🙂
Brittany
DOOOO IT!
Amy
WOW. Brittany… You are incredible and so inspiring! That hike must take true guts and determination, much more than many of us have. To keep going in the cold and rain (especially with Renaud’s!) and slippery ash… I’m in awe. I can tell you’ll climb Mount Rainier soon — you’ve proved you already have more than what it takes!
Brittany
Oh girl, the Raynauds struggle was real. It usually is though, so I find that despite the discomfort I am used to it when hiking in the cold. I need better gloves.
Amy
My mom bought me the BEST super warm fleecy gloves a year or two ago at Target, of all places! They really helped keep my hands warm during early morning winter runs. I’m not sure if Target still carries them (or if you already have a pair), but as soon as the Renaud’s gets to fingers and toes… It’s all over. 😉
Nicole
That’s AWESOME! Congratulations
pausesandclicks
Many kudos and a lot of clapping for you and your climbing partner! Thanks for sharing an experience most of us will never have in person!
kathy at more coffee, less talky
amazing!!!! so awesome that you got invited to climb this amazing mountain!! it looks so cold but so incredible. i would love to do something like this!
therfpscribe
Suffering from serious envy; gorgeous images and what a lot of guts to do the climb!
Shawna
wow this is amazing, girl — you’re such a badass. i love these photos (ok i love all your photos but i legit love these b/c they represent such an incredible accomplishment!). such a great feeling. i felt super accomplished after my marathon 2 weeks ago!
BabetaRuns
OMG!! Seeing this pictures (I’m lying in bed right now) wants me to JUMP OUT and go explore!
fionajarrett
That’s incredible. What an immense thing to do and can only begin to imagine the views across the crater at the top. The pictures are superb and you must have really shot up the climbs when you see how high up you were in that time. Mighty impressive stuff! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂
Alex
So so so so rad!!!!! These pictures rule but I think I love your commentary even more. I love how you notice and appreciate little details and ENJOY the challenge!! I cannot wait to hike with you one day ahhhhhhh
Brittany
A hike with you is at the top of my bucket list! FERRREALL I cannot wait!
Rebecca
So very, very cool!
Ellie
Hmm, I get a huge sense of accomplishment when I successfully communicate with my mother in a loving way. When things don’t feel forced and I genuinely am happy to have her in my life. I feel really “accomplished” for achieving that kind of love. We lost that for a time and having it back is something I will always feel satisfied and successful for.
Debra Chan
Awesome, I guess Angel’s Landing at Zion has been my highest peak. Debra
Sent from my iPad
>
bonnev659
that is so cool! I should go for a hike there too someday
literaturemistress
Awesome hike!
I guess I get the highest sense of accomplishment if I show my writing to someone and they like it. It’s also what I’m most nervous about – I hate watching someone read something I wrote. Chances are I’ll just bolt from the room and wait for them to finish.^^
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
That definitely looks like one epic hike, and a massive achievement too.
I always hate it when a photo doesn’t do something justice, as I quickly forget things and want a photo to remind me of just how epic something was.
Diane @ Life of Di.
So amazing! I would love to hike Mt. St. Helens at some point 🙂 I feel a sense of accomplishment whenever I successfully complete a task outside of my comfort zone. A hike like this would definitely be that for me!
Jane
Well done! Great shots and the last one made me laugh. I love getting to the top of a mountain. Such a glorious feeling. We don’t have many big ones here. Sometimes though when I am feeling bad mentally, just getting out of bed feels like an accomplishment. 😉
Jess @hellotofit
Nature is awe-inspiring yet terrifying! It’s a powerful force for sure! Ray and I saw the movie Everest a few weeks ago, and it was INTENSE.
Brittany
AHH, I want to see that movie so bad. My friend saw it and said it was CRAZY!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Ohhh snap. Now that’s definitely an amazing experience, and it’s actually a hike that I’ve always been interested in making — made even more badass by the fact that it actually requires a permit to do. And I always get a little sad when I look back at my pics and realize they don’t even begin to convey what I saw. But I don’t think there’s any way to capture that kind of majesty.
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Wowsers! What an awesome hiking trip. I can’t even imagine how incredibly awesome and beautiful it was. The pictures are great, but I know they don’t capture half the beauty it was in real life. Congrats on conquering that beast lady!
Boise Runner (@RunInBoise)
Amazing. I’ve thought about trying to hike Rainier but never thought about Mt. St. Helens. I think I have to add that to my list of things to do now. So awesome.
Brittany
You should! It really was much more accessible than Mount Rainier. Just choose a day in September, October was a bit too chilly for my liking. 🙂
P
Wow that looks like it was quite an adventure! It looks so beautiful from up top too!!
Kayse
These photos are amazing and beautiful and I’m so proud of you! What a wonderful adventure!
stateeats
Hi Britt – have been here and while we did not attempt the summit, I was in awe of the destruction but also the beauty of life coming back to the mountain. I was in high school when it erupted so I always wanted to go to see it which I did maybe 15 years later. Would love to visit again. Your photos are wonderful! – Kat
Jade
That is so cool you hiked Mt St Helens! I don’t know if I would hike it but I would love to visit it sometime. Beautiful pictures, too. Nature is amazing. That picture of the tiny green plant made me think of WALL-E
Lisa @ Lisa the Vegetarian
Wow, what an adventure! It sounds like it took a lot of perseverance and dedication to get to the top, but I can imagine it was a feeling of sheer accomplishment once you did!
Lauren Rice (@heyricecake)
WOW! The views are incredible. Way to preservere! What was your total elevation gain? I’m pretty sure I would have passed out/been too much of a chicken to climb an ACTIVE volcano. You’re a pretty bad a$$!
Brittany
The peak is at 8365ft, with a gain of 4500ft which usually isn’t too bad, but it’s nearly all at the end! Up, up, UP!!
katalysthealth
hahaha “shoutout to the volcano for not erupting” You’re so sassy my friend.
And what beautiful views! Now that my hubby and I live near Yosemeti Im trying to convince him to hike [err, climb?] half dome with me. I think it’ll be such a great experience!
Brittany
YES! Half Dome is on my list…at the top!! I want to climb that one SO bad.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Girl! That’s crazy amazing!! What an incredible experience! Go you for making it! And I’m glad it didn’t decide to erupt again on the 17th as well! 🙂
Allie Zottola
Seven hours well spent!! So impressive! I think your pictures do it wonderful justice, and some day I’d love to see Mount St. Helens in person. I’m so glad it didn’t erupt, either 😉
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Sometimes pictures just don’t do a thing justice. I felt like that on my road trip last weekend. The fall foliage was breathtaking and some of the shots look fake or overdone and don’t capture the moment. Those are the times I put the camera (cough, iPhone, cough) down and just take in the moment.
I think this hike sounds like an amazing experience both physically and mentally and I think it’s awesome you did it. Also, I’m glad it didn’t erupt when you were there either. I’d have to go kick some volcanic ass if that happened. 🙂
Luv What You Do
You are inspirational! And damn I wish I lived where you live!
Sophie33
Amazing views from up there! Waw! What a lovely hike that must have been! awesome!
Pingback: Harry’s Ridge Trail | Blissfulbritt