Mount St. Helens Field Seminar Programs 2008

Course Description: Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the continental US, is a stratovolcano built of a multitude of various structural layers composed of lava flows, pyroclastic rock debris, and ash, with a variable cover of snow and ice. On this climb, guided by a geologist, we will examine volcanic rocks and deposits of various types, experience the upper flank of a volcano sculpted by modern depositional and erosional processes, and have a close-up view into the crater, which exposes the inner core of the volcano. Make or Break Date: June 25, 2008

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear, and Conditioning: Participants are required to be in excellent physical condition because of the rigorous physical demands of the 10-hour long climb (you will climb 4,500 vertical feet in 5 miles, an approximately 6 hour, one-way climb to crater rim (8,365 foot elevation). Participants are responsible for providing their own equipment, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and plenty of food and drinking water. Technical mountain-climbing experience is not necessary but the ability to ascend & descend long, steep, rock and ash-covered slopes is essential. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), hiking poles, boot top gaiters, layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants. For details on the climb, volcanic hazards, and what to bring visit the above informational link.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at the Climber's Bivouac trailhead on Saturday, June 28 at 6:00 a.m. for a pre-trip orientation and depart on the climb at 6:30 a.m. for the approx. 10-hour guided field seminar and climb to south crater rim. Climber's Bivouac is located at the end of Forest Road 8100-830, located off Forest Road 83 on the south side of the volcano. Please see vicinity locator map, and a full color visitors guide at the above Informational links.

Tuition: $150 ($75 covers cost of climbing permit and program delivery and $75 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

July 19

Mount St. Helens: A Photographers Dream

Rebecca Forbes

Course Description: Mount St. Helens provides limitless opportunities for spectacular photography. This class is for those who are just getting started or may have intermediate experience with their digital cameras. Rebecca will offer an introduction to digital photography and teach some valuable tips and tricks before heading out to practice taking photos of Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape. After a few hours in the field, the group will return to Cascade Peaks to download and edit their pictures and learn the easiest and most effective ways to store and share these great works of art. Make or Break Registration Date: July 9.

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear and Conditioning: Participants will be hiking in rugged terrain for approximately 2 hours and are responsible for providing their own equipment including camera and manual, two charged batteries and empty camera cards, tripod (if desired) and laptop computer. Electricity will be available and equipment left at Cascade Peaks will be secured. Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and plenty of food and drinking water are essential. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants. Overnight camping can be arranged for the night before or the night after. Those people interested in camping out should contact MSHI by e-mail at least one week before, info@mshinstitute.org. Participants may also be interested in joining Dr. Bishop’s Biology Field Seminar on the following day and camping out with Dr. Bishop at a primitive field camp on Saturday night. See details in the next course description.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at Cascades Peaks on Saturday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. Cascade Peaks is located on Forest Road 99 near Windy Ridge on the north east side of Mount St. Helens. Please see vicinity locator map, and a full color visitors guide at the above Informational links.

Tuition: $100 ($40 covers cost of program delivery and $60 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

July 20

Mount St. Helens: Life Returns to the Heart of the Blast Zone A Biologist-Guided Exploration of the Pumice Plains and Developing Ecosystem North of the Crater

Dr. John Bishop

Course Description: Hike from Windy Ridge to the Pumice Plains for a look at ecosystem development on Mount St. Helens’ most devastated landscape. This is a 5 to 6 mile hike involving about 500 foot elevation descent into the Spirit Lake basin and climb back to the parking lot at Windy Ridge Viewpoint. The Pumice Plains is where all life was buried by the massive landslide/debris avalanche and then sterilized by fiery pyroclastic flows. This field seminar will examine rapidly changing geological and biological features from the viewpoint of a scientist that has spent two decades studying the factors influencing ecosystem reassembly on the Pumice Plains. Learn what determines who lives and who dies in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most extreme natural environments. This seminar involves several miles of hiking over rocky terrain. A vicinity locator map and detailed map of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument can be found at the above informational link Make or Break Registration Date: July 9.

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear and Conditioning: This seminar involves a 6-mile hike over steep and rocky terrain. Participants are responsible for providing their own gear: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and plenty of food and drinking water. We also recommend coming equipped with good, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), layered clothing and rain jacket and rain pants suitable for mountain travel in the Pacific Northwest.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Meet at Windy Ridge Viewpoint on Sunday morning July 20 at 9:30 a.m.. For participants whose travel plans involve arriving the night before, there will be an opportunity to camp out with Dr. Bishop at a primitive field camp on Saturday night. Meet at the Windy Ridge Viewpoint Saturday at 8 p.m. Participants who plan to camp out with John should contact him by email directly at least one week prior to the Field Class so he knows who will be participating in the optional campout (bishop@vancouver.wsu.edu). Windy Ridge Viewpoint is located at the end of Forest Road 99 on the northeast side of the volcano. A vicinity locator map and detailed map of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument can be found via the informational link above.

Tuition: $100 ($40 covers cost of program delivery and $60 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

Saturday, July 26 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Legends of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe: A Story Telling Workshop

Cost: $15 for Adults and Kids 13 and over. 12 and under are free (no need for registration).

Course Description: Spiritual leader and story-teller Roy Wilson tells the stories and legends of the Cowlitz people. The group will gather along the shsoreline of the Coldwater Lake in the shadow of an active volcano to hear the Cowlitz legends and their relation to the land around Mount St. helens. Most of the Cowlitz legends are ancient and speak of the time before people became animals. Much can be learned about the cultute and belief system of the ancestors through these stories. As you listen to the stories, you might recognize yourself as Coyote, Bear, Cougar Beaver or some other type of animal person. You are the legend and the legend is you. Look for the story hissid within the story and you may just discover yourself.

Biography:

Roy Wilson, Itswwot Wawa Hyiu (Bear Who Talks Much) was born on the Yakam Indian Reservation to an Indian father and non-Indian mother. he is part Cowlitz, Chinook, Yakam and Iroquois and is an enrolled member of the Cowlitz tribe. Roy serves as the tribe's traditional spiritual leader, the tribal shaman and storyteller. He does beadwork and carving and one of his beadwork pieces has one-third of a million beads. Roy is the author of numerous books including: Legends of the Cowlitz Indidan Tribe and Medicine Wheels- Ancient teachings for Modern Times. Roy is also author of a series of his children's stories about an Indidan boy named Kaboto Wapoos.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Saturday, July 26 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Coldwater Lake Picnic Area

August 2-3

Mount St. Helens: Stargazing Spectacular
Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers

Course Description: Join the Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers for a camp-out at Coldwater Lake on the northwest of Mount St. Helens on Hwy 504. This area is prized for its lack of light pollution, leading to a great opportunity to see millions of stars. The event will begin by setting up camp, and then cooking your own dinner. The MSHI will lead an evening event complete with stories and s'mores for everyone. When the sky has darkened enough, the Astronomers will point out constellations, planets, and other astronomical features. Children are welcome with proper supervision. Make or Break Registration Date: July 23

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear and Conditioning: This seminar involves a campout at Coldwater Lake. Restrooms are available but water is limited. The nearby campsite has no amenities except tent sites. Participants will be responsible for their own camping equipment, food, water, and all other supplies. MSHI will provide s’mores at the campout. We also recommend coming equipped with good, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), layered clothing and rain jacket and rain pants suitable for mountain travel in the Pacific Northwest.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Arrive at Coldwater Lake Visitors Center on Saturday, August 2 between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Set up camp and cook your own dinner. The campfire event will begin at 7:30 pm and stargazing will begin at approximately 9:00 pm. Coldwater Lake is located on Hwy 504, northwest of Mount St. Helens. A vicinity locator map and detailed map of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument can be found via the informational link above.

Tuition: $15 per person, children 8 and under are free. The Mount St. Helens Conservation Corps and the National Forest Foundation are hosting a work party on August 2 and 3. Volunteers who participate in the work party on August 2 will be admitted to the stargazing campout at no cost. Click here to volunteer

August 9

Mount Hood Glaciers Hike
Dr. Andrew Fountain

Course Description: Mount Hood is home to some of our areas most interesting glaciers and Andrew Fountain, PSU professor, is the perfect person to lead you on a tour of these fascinating geologic features. This trip will include views of Mt. Hood glaciers and other Cascades Volcanoes and if the trail is open, the group will take a short hike to Elliot Glacier. Stop at the Elliot Glacier Brewhaus to enjoy a drink and the view. Make or Break Registration Date: July 30

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear and Conditioning: Participants should be in good condition and prepared for high elevation (approximately 5500 feet) and a short but steep walk on the trail to Elliot Glacier. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants. And, bring some extra cash if you want to buy a drink at the Elliot Glacier Brewhaus.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at Portland State University at 9:00 am on Saturday, August 9. The group will carpool to Mt. Hood and return to PSU by 4:00 pm. Additional details on meeting locations will be provided in your confirmation letter.

Tuition:$100 ($40 covers cost of climbing permit and program delivery and $60 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

August 23

Mount St. Helens: Geology on High A Geologist-Guided Climb to the Crater Rim
Dr. Tom Pierson

Course Description: Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the continental US, is a stratovolcano built of a multitude of various structural layers composed of lava flows, pyroclastic rock debris, and ash, with a variable cover of snow and ice. On this climb, guided by a geologist, we will examine volcanic rocks and deposits of various types, experience the upper flank of a volcano sculpted by modern depositional and erosional processes, and have a close-up view into the crater, which exposes the inner core of the volcano. Make or Break Registration Date: July 23.

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear, and Conditioning: :Participants are required to be in excellent physical condition because of the rigorous physical demands of the 10-hour long climb (you will climb 4,500 vertical feet in 5 miles, an approximately 6 hour, one-way climb to crater rim (8,365 foot elevation). Participants are responsible for providing their own equipment, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and plenty of food and drinking water. Technical mountain-climbing experience is not necessary but the ability to ascend & descend long, steep, rock and ash-covered slopes is essential. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), hiking poles, boot top gaiters, layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants. For details on the climb, volcanic hazards, and what to bring visit the above informational link.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at the Climber’s Bivouac trailhead on Saturday, August 23 at 6:00 a.m. for a pre-trip orientation and depart on the climb at 6:30 a.m. for the approx. 10-hour guided field seminar and climb to south crater rim. Climber’s Bivouac is located at the end of Forest Road 8100-830, located off Forest Road 83 on the south side of the volcano. Please see vicinity locator map, and a full color visitors guide at the above Informational links.

Tuition: $150 ($75 covers cost of climbing permit and program delivery and $75 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

September 5

Ecology in the Tree Tops: A Look at Old Growth Forest Ecology

Dr. Ken Bible

Course Description: The old growth forests of Mount St. Helens were one of the striking features repainted by the 1980 eruption. We will visit a forest similar to the one blown down and destroyed and view it both from the ground and from the vantage of the Wind River Canopy Crane. The crane will lift us over 200 feet into the old growth canopy for a unique perspective on the Pacific rainforest. After the crane lift we will walk in the old growth forest near the crane site to discuss what we have seen from the crane, and how it enlarges our view of the forest from the ground. Make or Break Registration Date: August 27

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear and Conditioning: Participants must be 18 years or older and should be in good physical condition with no fear of heights or physical conditions that might prevent a high angle rescue with ropes. This program includes a 2 mile hike on a forest path. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high) layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at 9:00 am at a location to be announced and carpool to the Wind River Canopy Site. Meeting location details will be included in your confirmation e-mail. Expect to return to your vehicle by 4:00 pm.

Tuition: $100 ($40 covers cost of climbing permit and program delivery and $60 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

September 6

Photographing Mount St. Helens A Photography Guided Climb to the Crater Rim

Tom Iraci

Course Description: Mount St. Helens, the most active volcano in the continental US, is a stratovolcano built of a multitude of various structural layers composed of lava flows, pyroclastic rock debris, and ash, with a variable cover of snow and ice. On this climb, guided by Forest Service employee and photographer, Tom Iraci, you’ll learn tips and tricks to taking great shots of this amazing geologic feature. Your new skills will be transferable to other challenging geologic features. Make or Break Registration Date: August 27, 2008. .

Program Requirements, Recommended Gear, and Conditioning: Participants are required to be in excellent physical condition because of the rigorous physical demands of the 10-hour long climb (you will climb 4,500 vertical feet in 5 miles, an approximately 6 hour, one-way climb to crater rim (8,365 foot elevation). Participants are responsible for providing their own camera equipment including tri-pod if desired, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat and plenty of food and drinking water. Technical mountain-climbing experience is not necessary but the ability to ascend & descend long, steep, rock and ash-covered slopes is essential. We recommend that you have vibram, lug-soled hiking boots (ankle-high), hiking poles, boot top gaiters, layered clothing, rain jacket and rain pants. For details on the climb, volcanic hazards, and what to bring visit the above informational link.

Meeting Place and Timeframe: Participants will meet at the Climber’s Bivouac trailhead on Saturday, August 23 at 6:00 a.m. for a pre-trip orientation and depart on the climb at 6:30 a.m. for the approx. 10-hour guided field seminar and climb to south crater rim. Climber’s Bivouac is located at the end of Forest Road 8100-830, located off Forest Road 83 on the south side of the volcano. Please see vicinity locator map, and a full color visitors guide at the above Informational links.

Tuition: $150 ($75 covers cost of climbing permit and program delivery and $75 is a tax deductible contribution to the Mount St. Helens Institute)

Instructor Biographical Information

John Bishop
Dr. John Bishop is Associate Professor of Biology at Washington State Univ. Vancouver campus and President of the Board of Directors of the Mount St. Helens Institute. His research, funded by the National Science Foundation, focuses on mechanisms that control the development of new plant communities. He is especially interested in how herbivores and lack of nutrients shape colonization of barren areas. John is a 1996 graduate of Univ. of Washington (Ph.D. in Botany) and 1986 graduate of University of Michigan (B.S. in Biology). He has authored more than 20 scientific papers; available at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/sci/.

Ken Bible
Dr. Ken Bible is the Site Director for the Wind River Canopy Crane, and a Research Scientist with the University of Washington, College of Forest Resources. He conducts long-term research on the population dynamics of trees, and on forest ecosystem productivity. He is also interested in the development and application of embedded sensor arrays to advance environmental monitoring methods.

Alex Bordeaux
Born and raised on the banks of the Missouri River, Alex Bordeaux has always been fascinated by the natural world. Sometime after moving west to the Cascades, Alex became interested in the cultural landscapes of the lower Columbia. Today, he focuses on identifying sedimentary settings where intact, well-stratified archeological sites will occur. In the process, Alex enjoys sharing how cultures in the Columbia watershed responded in a remarkably dynamic landscape.

Rebecca Forbes
Rebecca Forbes, owner of Pixelagacy, is a skilled photographer with 15 years experience teaching technology and art to people of all ages and skill levels. Rebecca provides patient, thorough, fun and understandable training to help you capture star-quality photographs and then store, print and share them easily.

Dr. Andrew Fountain
Dr. Andrew G. Fountain is a professor of Geology and Geography at Portland State University, and currently chair of the Department of Geology. He has taught at PSU for ten years specializing in glacier studies. Prior to PSU, he worked for the US Geological Survey in their glaciers project office. His work has taken him to Alaska and Arctic Sweden, Antarctica, and to the many glaciers in the American West. He has published over 40 scientific papers on glaciers and continues to be active on the national and international scientific scenes.

Arden Hagen
Arden Hagen is the President of the Vancouver Audubon Society and has been birding for 29 years.He has identified 691 bird species in North American and 2190 throughout the world. Arden has traveled extensively in Africa, South America, Central America and throughout the United States.

Larry Mastin
Dr. Larry Mastin is a Geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver. His research interests include the physics of volcanic eruptions, volcanic ash clouds, and magma-water interactions. At Mount St. Helens, Larry has studied the effects of water on the cooling cracking, and explosive activity within the lava dome that formed in 1980-86. Larry has also studied the growth history of the current dome-building eruption and its implications for the size of the magma body and its implications for future activity. Larry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis, in 1980 and a Master’s and Ph.D. in 1984 and 1988, respectively, in Earth Sciences from Stanford University.

Tom Pierson
Dr. Pierson started his geological education collecting rocks from neighbors' driveways in New Jersey in the late 50s, and completed it in 1977 with a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Washington. This was followed by 3 years of post-doctoral research with the New Zealand Forest Service. He has been a research scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory and as Adjunct Professor of Geology at Portland State University. Dr. Pierson focuses on volcano hazards involving the mobilization and rapid movement of rock debris and water down the flanks of volcanoes—debris avalanches, lahars, and floods. Current projects include the assessment of lahar, debris-avalanche, and flood hazards at Mt. Hood, Oregon. Dr. Pierson is currently a fellow of the Geological Society of America, and a member of the American Geophysical Union and the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior. His bibliography includes over 60 scientific publications.

Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers
The Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers are a loosely knit group of amateur astronomers from the Vancouver / Portland area dedicated to sharing a view of the heavens with all who are interested. Star parties provide an excellent way to be introduced to astronomy. Unlike most sciences, the amateur can play a major role in astronomy and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers have years of experience sharing their love of stars.

David R. Sherrod