Mount St. Helens Permits Available Feb. 1

If you want to climb Mount St. Helens this year, get ready to apply for a permit on February 1st!

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Permits for the 2012 climbing season, from April 1 to October 31, go on sale Monday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. and are sold online on a first-come, first-served basis through the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Permits will be sold only online. Weekends and holidays go the fastest, so check your calendars (and the Farmer's Almanac for weather predictions). The cost is $22 per permit and you are able to purchase up to twelve permits for each day.

Permits are required for climbing above 4,800 feet on the volcano. From May 15 through October 31, climbing is limited to 100 people per day. It may seem like a lot of permits, but they go quickly, especially with guides and outfitters snapping up a dozen at a time.

From November 1 - March 31, permits are free and available in person at the Lone Fir Resort on SR 503 in Cougar, WA.

Climbing Mount St. Helens is a challenging, but not a technical, climb. It boasts a relentless elevation gain, constant exposure to the elements and unstable footing, but the view from the crater rim is unrivaled and breathtaking. Everyone remembers their first climb to the rim.

>> Buy Your Permit
>> WTA Hiking Guide entry for Mount St. Helens Summit
>> More Information about Climbing Mount St. Helens