Some spring Saturdays, you find yourself at a trailhead, full pack ready, headlamp illuminating the pre-dusk parking lot, on your way to summit a volcano. It happens. And when it does, it’s a bit nerve-racking, a bit overwhelming and a whole lot exciting. While Mount St. Helens was on my bucket list for some time, this year had the stars aligning to snag a permit and take to the climb.

And a climb it was…