LONGVIEW, Wash. - As the highway to Mount St. Helens reopens this weekend, the Forest Service is warning of "very high" avalanche risk for people thinking of climbing the volcano.
The Daily News reports the Forest Service said Friday it is offering refunds for climbing permits to those who decide not to risk an ascent.
Mother's Day weekend is typically a busy climbing weekend at the volcano in part because it precedes the anniversary of the volcano's eruption on May 18, 1980.
Ken Sandusky, a spokesman for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, says no major avalanches have been reported, but equipment that monitors snow conditions shows the risk of significant avalanches is high.
A climbing ranger will be on the mountain to update climbers on conditions and hazard information will be posted.
