St. Helens to open

[knelson]

Second hand information here, but from a reliable guy who got a reservation "request" in earlier this year and was contacted by the USFS...

 

They're planning on opening St Helens to climbing on July 21st. Permits are $22 per individual! It's not clear if this is a fee associated with an advance reservation, or if this fee would be in effect for "day of climb" permits also.

 

I couldn't find any info on the St. Helens website at

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens/

 

but that sure seems like a hefty fee for a hike.

 

Edit: sorry... didn't see this post before I posted. More info here: http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/555972/an/0/page/0#555972

 

Edited July 7, 2006 by knelson

[gondogoro]

Yes, it is official. St. Helens will open July 21st. The fee has been increased to make the permit system more "efficient" by introducing a private contractor -- a so-called non-profit called Mt. St. Helens Institute. I was at Jack's restaurant yesterday and was told by the cashier there that, according to the new system, you will book a permit on the internet and pay by credit card. Then you print out the receipt and take it to Jack's and get a 24 hr climbing permit. How this makes it more efficient is beyond me. I wonder who is behind the "non-profit" St. Helens Institute who will be collecting a $7 service fee to run this new racket. This $7 service charge is on top of the old climbing fee of $15 hence the $22. I am assuming this will be in addition to the NW Forest Pass required to park at Climbers Bivouac TH.

 

Time to dash off a new letter to the newspaper and my representative about the usurpation of public lands.

[Jens]

So who's gonna ski off the rim and drop into the crater this winter!!!

[Couloir]

So who's gonna ski off the rim and drop into the crater this winter!!!

Of all this talk so far, THAT is the best question yet!