I already wrote about climbing Mount Saint Helens and the training hikes I used to prepare for the climb. The only thing left is to talk about the gear I took with me. It’s important to preface this by saying I am a strong believer in being over-prepared. I’m also a guy who could stand to lose a few pounds, so packing more than I’ll probably need is a win-win for me. Even if there’s no emergency where I need the extra gear, the extra weight means I get a better workout. Here’s the gear I took with me:
Essentials
- First Aid Kit: Always be sure to bring a first aid kit on any hike!
- Food: You’ll want snacks that are easy to grab while you’re hiking. My favorites are Stinger Waffles and Gatorade Prime Energy Chews. Both are high in carbs to give you that energy boost you need when hiking. It’s also nice to have something for lunch when you reach the top. My go-to when hiking is a peanut butter and honey sandwich. I have a plastic container made for carrying a sandwich so it keeps it from getting crushed without taking up much room in my pack. Pro-tip: The plastic container
- Sun Protection: Sunglasses for your eyes, sunscreen for exposed areas like your face and neck. I also read several trip reports from people who experienced burned lips, so I also used a lip balm with sunscreen.
- Jacket: Something warm to pull on if it gets too cold. Even on a hot day like when I made the climb, this was nice to have at the summit.
- Water: I carried a 3L hydration bladder in my pack, and also 2 extra water bottles. Is that overkill? Yes. But I’ve run out of water on a hike before and I will never, ever do that again! I also like to keep extra water in my truck with plenty of ice so I get a refreshing, cold drink after any hike.
- Backpack: The size will depend on how much gear you want to carry. During hot months some climbers just use a daypack/hydration pack. I used a Gregory 30L Stout pack which was much larger than I needed, but it gave me a better workout and I was able to carry some extra “just in case” gear.
- Map: Whether it’s an app on your phone or a paper map, be sure you have a way to navigate. My go-to navigation app is AllTrails.
- Boots: Becase I wasn’t 100% sure about whether I’d be hiking through any snow, I chose to hike in waterproof boots made by Columbia. I went with a mid to give me a little extra ankle support, but plenty of people do this in trail shoes if there isn’t snow involved.
Nice To Have
- Camera: No matter the weather, you’re going to want pictures of your climb. If your phone camera isn’t great, a GoPro is a lightweight option that can get you some better quality photos.
- Hiking poles: You don’t have to have these, but it will make your climb and descent easier. The poles I use are inexpensive, but work great for all my hikes: Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles – Carbon Fiber
- Gloves: Garden gloves with rubber protection on the fingers and palm. These come in handy when you’re scrambling over boulders.
- Gaiters: The type of gaiter you’ll want depends on when you hike. Low-profile gaiters are enough for keeping the ash out of your boots. But if you do a winter climb you’ll want something taller and waterproof to keep the snow out.
- Neck Gaiter: As you near the summit you’ll be hiking through ash and it will get windy. That is not a fun combination for your face. Having a neck gaiter or something to cover your face makes it much better.
- Post-hike shoes: It’s hard to beat the feeling of taking off your boots after a long hike. That’s why I always keep a pair of Crocs in my truck.
- Campagne: Climbing Mount Saint Helens isn’t the hardest climb, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. Here in WA they sell mini bottles of champagne that were perfect for a toast at the summit.
- Body glide: If you have issues with chafing you probably already know about Body Glide, but this stuff is like magic.
- Hat: If you’re bald like me, this is essential! But even if you’re not it’s nice to have to help keep sweat out of your face and the sun out of your eyes.
Extra Gear
I’ve mentioned that I sometimes carry extra gear “just in case”, so what does that include? I’m glad you asked! The extra gear I carry always has a purpose, even if the chance it will be needed is very small. I try to think of scenarios that are possible, albeit unlikely.
For example, what if I fall and injure myself and end up having to spend the night on the mountain? Or a wildfire breaks out between me and the trailhead, causing me to have to hike farther than I planned or spend the night outside. That really happened to a group of dayhikers in 2018 when the Eagle Creek fire started. Me and my wife would’ve been on that trail and likely part of that group if not for a last-minute decision to do a different hike that day.
So when I have the room in my pack I think of what I would need the most in those situations. Extra food and water, warmth, light, the ability to build a fire. Those are the things that inspire my “just in case” supplies.
- Sleeping bag: I have a sleeping bag made for backpacking so it’s much more lightweight than most and easily fits in the bottom of my pack.
- Head lamp or flashlight: Whether you spend an unexpected night in the wilderness, get lost, or just take longer than expected to finish your hike, always have a way to light your way.
- Jetboil Stove: Having this stove with a fuel canister and a dehydrated meal is compact way to have a warm meal within minutes, even in the wilderness.
- Extra water: As I mentioned earlier I always bring extra water. It’s extra weight, but you do not want to run out! Plus you’ll need some water if you end up cooking a dehydrated meal with the stove I just mentioned. If you know there will be water sources on your hike you could also bring a water filter, but you sometimes water sources can be unexpectedly dry.
- Knife: Carrying a knife is always a good idea. It can be used for cooking, fixing gear, cutting up kindling for a fire, and much more.
- Fire starter or lighter: If there’s a chance of rain, a lighter might be a better option than matches.
- Charging brick + phone cable: If you rely on your phone for navigation while you hike, the last thing you want is a dead battery.
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