Andy Goodwin, a seasoned volunteer steward with the Mount St. Helens Institute, recently found himself at the summit of one of the Pacific Northwest's most remarkable volcanoes, Mount St. Helens. As part of his weekly routine, he spends hours educating climbers about this magnificent, yet perilous, natural wonder.
On one such occasion, Goodwin observed two climbers ascend to the 8,300-foot summit, bypassing him and positioning themselves precariously on the edge of the volcano's fragile crater rim. Despite Goodwin's warnings about the unstable concoction of ash, pumice, and stones which frequently break away and plummet into the crater, the climbers dismissed his concerns with a curt 'We'll be fine.'
Goodwin's concerns are not unfounded, as the U.S. Forest Service has issued a unique alert urging climbers to avoid the rim and abstain from peering into the crater, regardless of the season. This cautionary advice follows a series of recent rim failures, cornice breaks, and the tragic death of an experienced climber who fell into the crater.
Despite these risks, the summit of Mount St. Helens, located within a few hours' drive from both Portland and Seattle, continues to attract climbers in droves. Since reopening for recreational climbing in 1987, seven years after its catastrophic eruption, it has welcomed 40,000 to 50,000 climbers annually. Due to the mountain's popularity, a permit system and climber limits have been implemented to protect this national monument from overcrowding.
However, as winter descends on Mount St. Helens, bringing with it a new set of hazards including snow cornices, climbers are urged to exercise extreme caution. Jon Gellings, manager of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, warns that cornices are treacherous and advises climbers to stay at least 30 feet from the snow edge.
But the dangers don't end with the winter season. This year, the rim of the volcano has proved to be particularly unstable, leading to increased safety warnings. Yet, with the thrill of standing on the brink of the crater and the desire to capture the perfect photograph, many climbers continue to ignore the risks.
Goodwin, along with other volunteer stewards, plays a crucial role in educating climbers about these dangers and encouraging them to make safer choices. Despite the challenges, Goodwin remains committed to the cause, making the weekly trek from Portland to the summit to convey his message of caution. Unfortunately, not everyone heeds his advice.
As climbers continue to flock to Mount St. Helens, the U.S. Forest Service and volunteer stewards like Goodwin hope that better information and education will help climbers make sound decisions. After all, the mountain's breathtaking views should be experienced safely, allowing all who venture its slopes to return home with unforgettable memories and tales of their remarkable adventure.