permit Permits for Helens (10/23)

[jonathanpapz]

I realize this is waaaay far out, but my girlfriend and I are making a trip to PNW in October from NY. We'll be at MSH October 23rd...checked the site and it looks like permits are sold out other than October 28th and 29th. Unfortunately, we leave to head back to NY on October 25. Do I have any other options to obtain a permit? Would hate to miss out on this opportunity

[JasonG]

Chances are the weather/conditions will be not so great anyways at the end of October. 

Go for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge instead and save the summit for the spring or summer when it is in better condition.

I don't think there is a good way to find MSH permits these days on the web other than trolling social media or Craigslist.  There used to be a page that facilitated this but the USFS shut us down.