Climbing season is picking up on Mt. Hood, and visitors planning to travel above an elevation of 9,500 feet need a climbing permit.  The Mount Hood National Forest says permit fees fund climbing rangers, climbing safety information, and natural resources protection.  Permits are available as a single trip 3-day pass for $20 or an annual pass for $50.  No advance reservations are needed and there is no limit on the number of permits issued.  Climbing permits are available for purchase any time on Recreation.gov up to the start of one’s climb.  Permits are required year-round.   The Forest Service says every year up to 10,000 people climb Mt. Hood and it is not uncommon for visitors with little or no mountaineering experience to attempt the technical ascent of the 11,240-foot peak.  The Mt. Hood climbing permit funds climbing rangers to provide safety patrol and resource protection within the Mt. Hood Wilderness.  It also helps provide better climbing safety education, increased coordination and collaboration with existing mountain safety and rescue organizations, improves sanitary conditions by reducing human waste, and enables infrastructure improvements.