Training Log Archive: BigWillyStyleIn the 1 days ending Jul 19, 2015:
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Sunday Jul 19, 2015 #
8 AM
Hiking 4:30:00 [2] 5.2 mi (51:55 / mi) +1425m 28:03 / mi
Ascent of Mount St. Helens. For those who might not be aware, Mount St. Helens is the volcano that erupted in 1980 in the biggest eruption in US history, blew the living crap out of everything around and is now 1300' shorter than it used to be, and if you're from Washington and under 35 you got sick of hearing about it around age 6.
We left around 830am and gained the summit in ~5h15m, progressing at a leisurely pace with several breaks, including lunch. ~1.8 horizontal miles to the tree line at 4800', then the rest up through ashy rocks mixed with rocky ash. Very barren and moonscapey. A lot of weird exotic-looking insects too. Glorious 360-degree views at the top of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and surroundings.
We left around 830am and gained the summit in ~5h15m, progressing at a leisurely pace with several breaks, including lunch. ~1.8 horizontal miles to the tree line at 4800', then the rest up through ashy rocks mixed with rocky ash. Very barren and moonscapey. A lot of weird exotic-looking insects too. Glorious 360-degree views at the top of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and surroundings.
1 PM
Running 2:00 [3] 0.17 km (11:46 / km) +15m 8:10 / km
A little jog just to say I did. Looking down into the crater, you can see several steam vents coming out of the lava dome. There were also a couple rock slides while we were at the top, at a point on the crater rim far away from us but still very loud.
2 PM
Hiking 2:30:00 [2] 5.2 mi (28:51 / mi) +20m 28:30 / mi
Descent. Did a little bit of glissading on some of the snow chutes nearer to the top. Ran out of water about halfway down but was still well hydrated at that point. I chose to wear my metal-spiked Orocs, which worked excellently and held on to the bare rock with the grip of death. Wildlife report: I saw a chipmunk and some butterflies. Audrey allegedly saw a marmot, but I find her claim specious at best.
Happily, the day's exertions didn't adversely affect me much; my calves were extremely sore when we left the parking lot and they were more or less in the same state when we returned. Although we were exposed for 7-8 straight hours without succor, the temperature was very comfortable, especially higher up, and I escaped with just a little redness on my wrist, nose, and neck that barely register as effects of the sun.
The most treacherous part of the trip was the drive home from 9-11pm. Front windows all the way down, music blasting, slapping myself and poking my pained calves to stay awake. It's a minor miracle that I survived.
Happily, the day's exertions didn't adversely affect me much; my calves were extremely sore when we left the parking lot and they were more or less in the same state when we returned. Although we were exposed for 7-8 straight hours without succor, the temperature was very comfortable, especially higher up, and I escaped with just a little redness on my wrist, nose, and neck that barely register as effects of the sun.
The most treacherous part of the trip was the drive home from 9-11pm. Front windows all the way down, music blasting, slapping myself and poking my pained calves to stay awake. It's a minor miracle that I survived.