When climbing mountains, one is always at the mercy of mother nature. Such was the lesson that was reviewed on this trip. After checking in at Jack's Restaurant, the three of us headed to Climber's Bivouac to set out for the Monitor Ridge climbing route. The skies were cloudy, but Scott was a "pollyanna" who believed that the skies might break for us.
We were on the trail by 8 o'clock and at the treeline by 9:00 making good time. On Monitor Ridge we ran into two climbers who had summited and were on their way down. They said it was ugly at the top and others were turning around. Undaunted, our trio pushed on!
As we ascended the ridge on our way up the mountain, we entered the clouds. Mist was everywhere and the visiblity was very poor. Other hikers who had bailed and were on their way down described the overall conditions as "shitty." Despite this description we climbed upward and onward.
Nearing the top of the ridge the wind picked up and it began to hail. Visibility was so poor that markers could not be seen for routefinding. We decided that it was time to call it a day and turn around.
Safety First!
The sign marking Climber's Register at Jack's Restaurant in Cougar, Washington.
Jess and I pose at the Climber's Registration at Jack's. Hopefully we will summit Mt. St. Helens on another day. Here's to good weather on our next climb!
When climbing mountains, one is always at the mercy of mother nature. Such was the lesson that was reviewed on this trip. After checking in at Jack's Restaurant, the three of us headed to Climber's Bivouac to set out for the Monitor Ridge climbing route. The skies were cloudy, but Scott was a "pollyanna" who believed that the skies might break for us.
We were on the trail by 8 o'clock and at the treeline by 9:00 making good time. On Monitor Ridge we ran into two climbers who had summited and were on their way down. They said it was ugly at the top and others were turning around. Undaunted, our trio pushed on!
As we ascended the ridge on our way up the mountain, we entered the clouds. Mist was everywhere and the visiblity was very poor. Other hikers who had bailed and were on their way down described the overall conditions as "shitty." Despite this description we climbed upward and onward.
Nearing the top of the ridge the wind picked up and it began to hail. Visibility was so poor that markers could not be seen for routefinding. We decided that it was time to call it a day and turn around. Safety First!
The sign marking Climber's Register at Jack's Restaurant in Cougar, Washington.
Jess and I pose at the Climber's Registration at Jack's. Hopefully we will summit Mt. St. Helens on another day. Here's to good weather on our next climb!
1 comment:
Hi Ced,
Thanks again for the great adventure up the mountain! What a day!!!1
Jess :)
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