Join us this summer as we attempt to climb three of the cascade’s stratovolcanoes; Mount St. Helens, South and Middle Sister, and Mt. Hood. We will cover a variety of terrain from volcanically devastated forest to high alpine meadows to glaciers on Oregon’s largest mountain. We’ll be doing a mixture of car and backcountry camping in one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the country. This is a fantastic trip for strong solid hikers with a go-getter attitude who want to enter the world of mountaineering.

This itinerary might vary some from actual. We have allowed time for weather, group acclimatization and varying plans and routes. Mt. St. Helens involves a very difficult permit to obtain and we will do our best to secure them on day one they are open. If we do not then we will still acclimate there and do one of the great hikes on the mountain.

June 12-20

June 12 – Day one
Pick up everyone at Portland Airport 1pm.
Stop at Portland REI for any gear rental (such as boots) or last minute gear purchase.
Stop for dinner en-route (could also cook in camp)
Drive to climbers bivouac camp on Mount St. Helens

Meal – Dinner out or in camp

June 13 – Day two
Climb to the rim of Mount St. Helens (8365’) via Monitor Ridge Route (Appx. 8-12 hrs)
Camp at bivouac camp again

Meal – Breakfast at camp, Lunch on trail, dinner at camp

June 14 – Day three
Travel to 3 Sisters Wilderness Area – Hike in.

Meal – Breakfast at camp, Lunch on trail, dinner at Lunch Counter.

June 15 – Day four
Attempt to summit and traverse peaks.
Return to camp

June 16 – Day five
Rest Day

June 17 – Day six
Head to Mt. Hood.
Camp near Illumination Rock

June 18 – Day seven
Attempt summit (11,243)
Return to base

June 19 – Day eight
Drive to Portland, rest and recover. This is also our weather window day.

Meal – Big dinner in town to celebrate. We’ve earned it.

June 20 – Day nine
Departure from Portland Airport

Equipment List:

If you have equipment questions, please let me know. Some of this equipment (noted with star) Quest does have available for usage. We hold a deposit for the course.

We will have 2 smaller rental cars for this trip to haul us around. Our goal is to fit all of this in so don’t overpack. Also, whenever possible bring soft sided items such as duffles. No external frame backpacks or suitcases.

Sleeping Gear:

*Backpack – Approximately 5-6000 Cu In. We’ll be carrying quite a bit of gear to our camps on Adams and Rainier, you want a way to carry all of this.
Small Additional Duffle Bag – To store items you leave behind, such as Rainier food while on Adams.
Small Daypack – For car/airport time.
*Sleeping Bag – Rated to 20 degrees. Down or Synthetic. I will be using a synthetic one.
Compression Bag – To shrink sleeping bag and save pack space
*Sleeping Pad – Foam or inflatable. Bring repair kit if inflatable.
* 3/4 or 4 Season Tent. Don’t compromise here. Bivy Sack/Tarp combos could also work. Discuss if you have questions.

Technical Gear:
*Climbing Helmet
*Lightweight Climbing Harness
*Crampons
*Ice Axe (mountaineering/glacier travel)
Trekking Poles (not optional, please bring to save your knees, we’ll have big loads)
* 3 Locking Carabiners
20′ 5-6mm Cord

Head Gear: (no, not braces)
Warm Fleece Hat – ideally thin enough to also work under helmet.
Balaclava or Neck Gaiter -
Baseball Hat -
Sunglasses – Full wrap or glacier glasses. Don’t skimp here. We can help you pick.
Goggles – Amber lenses help in mixed and stormy weather
Headlamp – with spare batteries. The cold can really eat them up.

Extremities Gear:
Gloves (insulating) – 1-2 pairs of fleece. I bring two different weights of fleece that fit inside each other. The heavier pair should be wind/water resistant or proof.
Gloves (shell) – Waterproof/Windproof.
Mountaineering Boots – Plastic or leather but must be completely rigid (full shank), and insulated.
Hiking Boots/Hiking Shoes – For Adams, Town, and airportCamp Shoes – Crocs work well as do Down Booties.Sandals – for town time and post climb foot relaxation.Gaiters – Knee length, gore-tex or equivalent and fit over your big boots.Socks – Wool or syntethic. Find ones that work for you. Need multiple pairs for trip. Liner socks are optional, some people like them, some don’t. I personally don’t.

Core Gear:
This gear should work for you over several days of climbing. Don’t bring too much but have yourself covered.

Base layers – Synthetic, long sleeve, lightweight. Ventable if possible
Insulating Layers – have several options
Long-sleeve lightweight shirt with collar – synthetic. To protect yourself from the sun on warm glacier practice days.
Shell Jacket – With hood, Gore-Tex or equivalent.
Insulated Parka ideally with hood – for stormy and cold weather.
Street Clothes – for travel times

Leg Gear:
Base Layers – same as above but long leg vs. long sleeved
Insulating layer – fleece pants or equivalent
Shell Pants – Gore-Tex, full side zip if possible.
Lightweight synthetic pants for non-summit days but on snow still
Hiking Shorts
Street Clothes

Other gear to have:
Sunscreen and lip protection. Bring spares.
Utensils, cup, bowl
2-3 quart sized water bottle, wide mouth. Hydration bladders are fine but can freeze so still have 2 bottles with you.
Several Large Garbage bags and zip-locks for keeping things dry
Toiletries – toothbrush, deoderant, etc.
Bio-degradable toilet paper. We’ll also be using the blue bags on Rainier.
Ear Plugs
Camera – if you’re into that sort of thing, spare batteries/memory cards.
Personal Medical supplies – first aid kit (especially for blisters) and any prescription/non-prescription items
Water Purification Source
Stove – per cook group
Fuel Bottle (we’ll get fuel in Tacoma)
Cooking Pots
Cooking Utensils
Reading Materials
Stuff sacks for organizing gear
Knife/Leatherman (put in checked luggage, not carry on).

Payment Schedule

To Register for this Trip please contact our office via phone or e-mail.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 secures your place on the trip.

Full payment is due no later than eight weeks prior to the departure date.

In the Event of Cancellation:
All Extended Trips have a non-refundable deposit to reserve your place on the trip. If for any reason Quest cancels the trip, this will be fully refunded.

If you notify the Quest office of your cancellation after the full payment has been received you will be refunded as follows:

If cancellation notice is received five weeks prior to the trip departure date, you will receive 75% of the balance due after the deposit.

If cancellation notice is received four weeks prior to the trip departure date, you will receive 50% of the balance due after the deposit.

For cancellations received less than four weeks prior to the trip, there can be no refund.