Deep snow is making it difficult for climbers to reach the summit of Mount St. Helens this spring.

Gary Walker, St. Helens’ lead climbing ranger, says the climb that usually takes 6-12 hours now takes about two days. “Snow is deep and soft. Climbers should be prepared,” Walker said.

Last week Walker snowshoed to the Climbers Bivouac, where most hikers start their climb in spring and summer.

“I couldn’t even see the outhouse,” Walker said. “That means there is at least 12 feet of snow that needs to melt.”

Instead of using the traditional Monitor Ridge route this spring, climbers are starting from the Marble Mountain Snopark. This makes a 9-mile roundtrip climb closer to 15 miles.

Walker says climbers should plan to spend the first night near tree line then summit and hike out on the second day. Some climbers are even taking three days to make the trip said Jeanne Bennett of the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Traditionally enough snow melts by late May or early June to make the climbing route a manageable day hike.

Walker says climbers should expect snow conditions to be about a month behind normal this year. Meaning if you traditionally climb St. Helens in mid June, you might want to wait until the middle of July.

Bennett says the institute has sold fewer climbing permits than normal this spring, but could not provide specific numbers.

“But more skiers are going up there,” Bennett said.