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Current Conditions:
Paradise to Camp Muir
The winter's snows have finally released the meadows of Paradise (5,400'), allowing the heather and flowers some much needed growing time. The Skyline Trail is
mostly clear of snow up to Pebble Creek (7,200'). Above Pebble Creek the Muir Snowfield is in very good shape for September with none of the ice or snowfield
cracks (crevasses) we have come to expect at this time of year. The weather forecast is for very warm temperatures for the foreseeable future - as a result we
expect those cracks and icy conditions which result from the melting to show up soon.
With the meadows around Paradise melted out, please use caution and avoid walking over these very fragile areas. Keep to the snow or trails at all times.
Camp Muir to the Summit
The climbing route from Camp Muir to the summit remains in very good shape for this time of year though rock and ice fall should be expected throughout.
Climbers should be prepared to tie in at shorter intervals between individuals for their ascent up the Disappointment Cleaver to better avoid some of the bottle necking that often occurs up this steep terrain. Switchbacks up the snow of the 'shoulder' of the Cleaver are in and fairly easily climbed given the steepness of the terrain.
Above the Cleaver the route heads north at about 12,500' to the Emmons Shoulder where switchbacks again lead up to 13,500', at which point the route veers back south to avoid some major bergshrunds. After crossing a crevasse at about 13,800' the route heads back up reaching the summit crater on some fairly straightforward terrain.
Photos taken August 15, 2011:
Crevasse at 12,300' on the Disappointment Cleaver Route.
Summit climb team leaving High Break.
Crevasse at 13,700'. Mt. St. Helens in the background.
Nearing the summit ridge