#40: Climbing Mount St. Helens

What’s the most difficult day hike we’ve ever done? Without question it was climbing to the top of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in WA state. Mount St Helens is part of the Cascade Range: 13 volcanoes that lie in an 800-mile chain from British Columbia to northern California. Seven of these thirteen volcanoes have erupted at least once in the past 200 years, one of those being the most catastrophic and deadly volcanic event ever experienced in the United States: the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. In this episode we’ll discuss the details surrounding the eruption, as well as our grueling hike to the rim of the volcano. Some of the topics we discuss in this episode: What happened in the months leading up to the eruption What kind of devastation the blast caused  Why so many people died as a result of the eruption Why the area was made a national monument Tips as to how to prepare for your climb to the rim of the volcano What it was like to stand on the edge of the crater Other things to do and see in the park Links to more information: Link to a video of Mount St. Helens’ eruption Where to get a Mount St. Helens climbing permit Where to learn more about our books and travels Join the conversation on Facebook - we want to hear from you! Check out our Instagram account Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices