Mother's Day at Mt. St. Helens

Next Sunday is Mother's Day, which each year coincides with the last unlimited-permit weekend on Mt. St. Helens. Traditionally, telemark skiers celebrate this fortuitous concurrence by skiing from the summit crater in dresses....all kinds of dresses: prom-wear, micro-miniskirts, power suits with padded shoulders, muumuu's, tutu's, etc. Coordinated ensembles featuring hats, gloves and feather boas are not uncommon; wearing of wigs is encouraged but not required. What better way to pay your somber and sedate respects to the mother who birthed you? <br><br>Permits are required, and they do cost money. You buy them at Jack's Store in Cougar, on the way to the trailhead. For what it's worth, I have sometimes seen uniformed rangers out checking permits, but some people don't bother with them. Apparently, the road to Climber's Bivouac is open, allowing a higher start than the usual Marble Mountain Sno-park. Most folks head down late on Saturday, sleeping in the parking lot for an early start Sunday morning. There are generally at least a smattering of your friends and acquaintances in attendance, although mostly they're very difficult to recognize.<br><br>If there's anyone headed down that way from the Bellingham area who wants to carpool, caravan or carouse together, please don't be shy. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Enjoy,

Mark