Mt. St. Helens {Adventuring}

When we first turned the corner we saw Mt. St. Helens and we started cracking up because this side of the mountain looks completely unfriendly- and hot. It was 105 degrees on the day we drove up to the mountain. We camped at Climbers Bivouac (I highly recommend bringing earplugs if you're going to stay here as climbers are leaving at all wee hours of the night), and started trekking through the woods around 5:30AM. We knew it was going to be a hot day and we wanted to soak in as much shade as possible before we were on the exposed rock.

Boulders as bigger than my body more than half of the way up, heat sucking every bit of hydration from our bodies and ash trying to sneak into our boots and ears. 

Worth it. 

Climbing Helens? 

Here is what we recommend: 

Buffs - these came in so handy on the way down to not breath in any of the ash that was getting kicked up. 

Water, Water, Water, Water, Water & a lot more water.  - we each went through a 100 oz camelbak bladder, a 24 oz nalgene, and an 18 oz water bottle and we both ran out just as we returned to the car. (that's 284 oz of water total) 

Leather gloves- These lava rocks will eat up your hands if you don't have them on. So glad I made a last minute run for these. 

High rise hiking boots and/or gators - The ash and the skree is gnarly if it gets into your boots. 

Hiking poles - saved our knees on the way down- not so helpful in the boulders. 

Start early! We had zero shade coming down which made that shady treeline that much more of a reward.