Angela Meets Her Match - Mt. St. Helens

Trip Start Jun 15, 2008
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Trip End Aug 16, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Washington,
Thursday, July 17, 2008

Angela, poor Angela.  She came to visit me in Portland, and she learned a valuable lesson: don't listen to me.  I assured her that our climb up Mt. St. Helens would be no problem at all.  Her first indication of a problem might have been two days before when I told her that the summer route up to the crater was closed and that we would have to take the winter route.  And by the winter route, I mean no route.  I woke her up around 4:00 a.m. to begin the hour drive up to the trailhead.  The first couple of hours followed a nice, established hiking trail on the "winter route."  Angela thought she had it made and that I had properly explained the trail.  That's when we hit the loose rocks and scree.  No trail.  Find your way to the top.  Your choices are rock and snow.  Angela got her first taste of real rock scrambling and snow travel. 

She gave it a valiant effort, but unfortunately, her legs started cramping about an hour from the top, and she made that most terrible of mistakes...she looked down.  Now, we were up on the side of the mountain at about 8,000 feet.  Not much else around but air.  I'm sure she felt like she was going to fall down the mountain.  After a few tears, I finally got her sitting on a rock.  She said, "I'm okay.  Why don't you go to the top."  I think I was supposed to respond with, "That's okay.  I'll stay with you."  Instead, I gave it a simple, "Okay.  See you in about an hour."  So, I officially win Boyfriend of the Year Award for failing to properly explain the route and then leaving my crying girlfriend alone on the side of a mountain for an hour. 

What can I say.  The adrenaline was flowing, and I wanted the summit.  I basically ran to the top, shot some photos, and then got back down.  The crater is amazing.  It's huge, and from the edge, I stared across to Mt. Mt. St. Helens
Mt. St. Helens
 Rainier in the distance.  The top of Mt. St. Helens crater is probably the most picturesque spot from my summer travels. 

When I got back, Angela was in great spirits.  She had overcome her fear and was smiling (which she does 99% of the time).  I got her back down no sweat, ten hours from trailhead departure.  Kudos to her for being such a trooper.  We cooled off with a relaxing weekend of food, massages, and The Dark Knight in Portland. 
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