I'm driving over to Mount St. Helens today to pick up permits that have been reserved for hiking to the crater rim tomorrow. Now that the mountain is open again, we felt it was appropriate to do some first-hand investigation on your behalf.

Reporter John Stucke and photographer/videographer Colin Mulvany will document the adventure. Eastern Washington University students Justin Grimes and Laura Heath also are along for the trip.

We'll let you know how it goes!