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. Markharf@yahoo.com
Enjoy,
Mark
