St. Helens South Face (The Worms)

Name: St. Helens South Face (The Worms)
Rating: 5.0

5.0 ( 3 )

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Trail

3.0 mile 4.8 kilometer point to point
Ski Line
Intermediate/Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 0' 0 m
Descent: -4,609' -1,405 m
High: 8,083' 2,464 m
Low: 3,474' 1,059 m

Grade

Avg Slope: 29% (16°)
Max Slope: 65% (33°)

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Trail shared by Jacob Winey

Avalanche risk for Apr 17, 2019: Unknown

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Full forecast for NWAC: WA Cascades West, South — Brought to you by Northwest Avalanche Center

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Current ascent conditions

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“Ever skied a worm? Think naturally sculpted halfpipes with views of volcanoes the whole way down.”

— Jacob Winey

GPX File

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Mount St. Helens requires permits to climb above 4,800'; they can be purchased for $22 here: (discovernw.org/store_mt-st-…)

Also, you need a National Forest Recreation Pass to be able to park at the climber's bivouac.

Description

The south face of St. Helens is the most popular ski route of the volcano, since it follows the same slope as the usual ascent. Make sure to take your time at the summit to enjoy the spectacular view of the caldera and Rainier to the north, before dropping into over 2,000' of open, consistent corn. The descent is pretty straight-forward, no crevasse danger, no really hidden obstacles or traps, just beware of sudden slope changes and rocky areas (good potential for localized avalanche triggers). Just ski down to the hiking trail and follow that out the same way you came up.