MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash.-
Mount St. Helens reopened to climbers on July 21 for the first time since the mountain began quietly erupting in 2004.
Dust, steam and blue-tinted sulfurous gas still rise from the horseshoe-shaped crater left by St. Helens' 1980 eruption, which killed 57 people and blasted more than 1,300 feet off the peak. Near the crater's center, the volcano is rebuilding itself, churning out a cubic yard of rock per second–a rate that could see the volcano return to its pre-1980 size in 100 years.
When the mountain was reopened to climbers last time–in 1987–the five-hour ascent became extremely popular, attracting about 12,000 people a year.
But in September 2004, the volcano reawakened, and the U.S. Forest Service closed trails around it.
Since then, the volcano has settled into a pattern of constantly extruding lava with a low gas content, said Tom Pierson of the U.S. Geological Survey. Officials say there's not enough gas to make climbing dangerous.
The Forest Service cautions those who want to try the climb, however. In addition to basic backcountry necessities such as a compass, map and plenty of water, the service recommends that climbers bring an ice ax, sunglasses that seal around the eyes to keep dust out, a dust mask and a climbing helmet, just in case the volcano sends rocks soaring above the rim.
The entire south side of the mountain is being reopened to climbers, as are trails through the blast zone on the north side. The crater itself remains off-limits.
Permits are required to hike above tree line and cost $22 each. The Forest Service will issue up to 100 permits a day, and reservations can be made on the Internet through the Mount St. Helens Institute, .
The most popular climbing route begins on the south side at Climber's Bivouac, elevation 3,800 feet. An easy trail through firs and huckleberries on an ancient lava flow leads to tree line at Monitor Ridge, at 4,800 feet.
