Just a Trail Hike

1
Just a Trail Hike

• Kendra S. Thulin
• LIBR 500
• Foundations of Information Technology
• January 2002
• thulinks_at_hotmail.com

2
It began with a Mountain

• Mount St. Helens, Washington, U.S.A.
• A volcanic eruption occurred May 18, 1980
• It remains an active volcano to this day

3
Ash!

• At the time of the eruption, I was living in
  Portland, Oregon, approximately 65 miles away
• Ash blew south and covered our streets and cars
• We were advised to stay indoors

4
Then 12 years later, an idea

• A friend suggested we climb Mount St. Helens
• At the top, we could view the crater left from
  the eruption
• At the time, it sounded like fun, a trail hike
  with a view

5
I should have known...

• This was not going to be just a trail hike
  when
• We visited our local outdoor store to rent
  crampons and ice-axes
• We packed half our body weights worth in food
  and emergency supplies

CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!
CAUTION!
6
Our Ascent

• I forgot why this sounded like fun
• For every step forward, we fall two steps back
• How is it possible that your face can be parallel
  to the ground youre walking on?

7
SUMMIT!

• We made it!

8
However,

• By the time we reached the top, the crater was
  fogged in! (yes, thats me grimacing in the
  photo)

9

• Less eventful (and painful) than going up
• We discovered the quickest way to get down the
  ice packs was by

The Journey Down
SLIDING...
10
In conclusion, and to summit all up

• Despite the heavy packs
• Despite missing out on seeing the crater
• And despite my complaining

It was worth every (agonizing) moment!