04/04/2022
3/26/2022: Mt. St Helens attempt via Worm Flows Route.
Drove down the day before with the hiker crew and arrived at 9pm. Woke up at 3am and started the route at 4am. Donned the headlamps, the six layers of clothing, grabbed my ice axe and set off for the Summit.
Air was frigid with a wind that turned into a brutal vortex of ice as we arrived at the clearing for the final mile and elevation gain. The first photo is Helens hiding behind the icy fog. Feeling the wind picking up by the minute, complete lack of visibility, and bitter cold frosting my veins, I turned back at the 3.5 mile mark of a 5 mile summit.
The measure of strength is not only in perseverance when the trail is difficult, but also calling it off when the danger is relentless. Right before I turned back, I saw tiny headlamps aglow, and tiny human figures blown off their feet, side to side, around the mountain like a frozen tumbleweed.
Helens will be there for my second attempt in 2022.
