My second time climbing Mount Saint Helens

First of all I do have a split opinion about snow mobiles in the backcountry, especially in protected areas such as National Monuments or shared national lands between man powered users AKA backcountry skiers and the great outdoors sportsman. I have a great acceptance if motorized sleds are more employed as a transportation vehicle rather than a loud and smelly sports machine, and the more powerful is respecting the quiet traveler.

This mountain is the one I prefer to use a motorized access vehicle, roads are not plowed in springtime to reach the trailhead at Climber's Bivouac so snowmobiles are the only other lazy alternative. It is about a 4-5 mile ride in, following the forest road to Climber's Bivi, park the sled along the trail and alter to skin travel for most of the day.

The whole trip planning starts with an email from Mark who is traveling in Africa at that time, asking if I join the annual Mt. St. Helens climb coming Friday organized by Jay, whom we skied the mountain with less than a year ago on May 1. (see TR here). I replied that I would go only if we do it exactly as last time, using the motor sleds to approach the trailhead near Climber's Bivouac. He agreed, and we invited Tom, Robin and Dee, all old backcountry skiing friends on several previous trips. 4 days later, Mark back in town a little jet-lagged, we loaded beer, food, skiing equipment and the sleds of course and took off in direction towards the mountain. At the forest road's end where we settled down for base camp, dinner, beverages and storytelling finished out the day at around 11 PM and we disappeared in our tents to be refreshed for the long climb the next day. (the sled & base camp party)

The day we have picked for our climb turned out to be the warmest day in April this year, and the sun affected the snow quality accordingly. It was a fabulous ski down, however the snow was on the soft side but still provided quality skiing on the endless slopes down to tree line.