Snowshoe Walks for School Groups

Contact: Fawn Bauer, Education Specialist 360-569-6037

With these recent storms that have hit the Cascades, the Education Staff at
Mount Rainier National Park is offering additional curriculum-based
snowshoe education programs for school groups.  If you are a teacher
looking to bring your students on a field trip to Mount Rainier during the
school week, don’t miss this opportunity. These programs are available at
no charge to school groups and are tailored to the teacher’s identified
learning objectives.

Through a “Connecting Kids to Parks” grant from Washington’s National Park
Fund, several mini-grants are available to help subsidize the
transportation costs for schools to bring students to the park during this
spring 2011 school year. These mini-grants are intended to be cost-share
subsidies for bus transportation, so that the maximum amount of students
can benefit. Number and size of grants will vary, with most grants being in
the $100-$250 range. These mini-grants are made possible in an effort to
increase the accessibility of park experiences for youth who may not
otherwise have an opportunity to visit a national park.

For more information about these school snowshoe education walks and the
bus subsidy grant, please contact Fawn Bauer at 360-569-6037.

Please check the Mount Rainier National Park website at
http://www.nps.gov/mora/forteachers/index.htm for more information about
field trips and teacher workshops.

Please remember that roads in the park may be closed at any time due to
hazardous conditions.  General park information is available at
www.nps.gov/mora or by calling 360-569-2211.

                                  -NPS-

Mount Rainier Press Release - Spring Opening Beginning

March 18, 2011

2011 SPRING OPENING BEGINNING

The calendar may say it’s almost the first day of Spring, but at Mount
Rainier National Park Spring is still a long way off.  But, despite the
fact that Paradise currently has 203” of snow on the ground (121%  above
normal) staff at Mount Rainier is once again beginning the annual spring
opening.  This process, which begins at the lower elevations of the park
such as Longmire and Ohanapecosh and moves up the mountain to the higher
elevations of White River and Sunrise as the snow melts or is plowed away,
is like bringing a small community back to life every year.  Roads that
have been completely snowed in since last fall are blown out with snow
equipment; removal of slides, boulders and rocks and fallen trees from
these roads, cleaning ditches of debris and repairing any damage; shoveling
snow from park buildings; reactivating water, sewer and heating systems
that have been shut down since fall; repairing damage from winter’s harsh
conditions and many other maintenance activities associated with getting
the park’s public facilities ready for another season of visitation.

SNOW PLAY AND SNOWSHOE WALKS ENDING MARCH 27

The public snow play area at Paradise will be staffed and groomed through
Sunday, March 27.  After that date the snow play runs will not be
maintained and sledding will not be permitted due to safety concerns.

The ranger-led snow shoe walks will also end that same date - March 27.

The new Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center is open weekends only, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 7 when it will begin 7-day a week operation.

The Paradise Inn is scheduled to open for the 2011 season on Friday, May
20.  Reservations can be made by phone – 360-569-2275, or on line at
www.mtrainierguestservices.com

While snow play activities will be ending, great opportunities still exist
for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Paradise area.  Before
heading out, visitors are advised to check with park staff for current
weather and avalanche conditions.  Spring can be a wonderful time to
experience the park, but dangerous conditions can exist.

For current road and weather information, visit the park’s web page at
www.nps.gov/mora, or call 360-569-2211 for recorded updates.  For local
business information web sites visit:  www.visitrainier.com,
www.mt-rainier.com, www.staycrystal.com, www.minerallake.com,
www.destinationpackwood.com,  or www.mtrainierguestservices.com
                                  -NPS-

CLIMBING FEES CHANGING AT MOUNT RAINIER

Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga announces that the
proposed increase in climbing fees at Mount Rainier has been approved by
Pacific West Regional Director Christine Lehnertz, and is effective
immediately.

Climbers will now be charged $43 for an annual climbing pass which is good
through December 31 of the year it is purchased.  This is a $13 increase
from the previous fee of $30 which has been in effect since May, 2003.

In addition, the park is implementing a new $30 “youth” climbing pass for
climbers 24 years old and younger, in support of National Park Service and
Department of Interior initiatives, and in response to comments made during
public meetings the park held in November and December of 2010.  It is
estimated that 5-10% of the total climber volume is in this age group.

The public comment process involved three public meetings held in Seattle,
Tacoma and Ashford in November and December as well as one additional
meeting held in early February in Bellevue.  Attendees included
mountaineering groups, professional guides, rangers, independent climbers
from broad backgrounds, non-climbing public and mountain rescue groups.  An
Executive Summary, a Frequently Asked Questions document, and a Climbing
Program Cost Analysis were produced and posted on the Mount Rainier web
page (www.nps.gov/mora) and widely distributed.

After a thorough analysis of all of the comments submitted, the park staff
decided on the above fee structure for implementation.

Climbing fees, in addition to other park funding sources are used to
support climber services and management of climbing activities on Mount
Rainier.  These services and programs include: registering approximately
11,000 climbers each year; providing up-to-date climbing route and safety
information; updating weather, climbing, route, and climbing related
information on web blog; staffing ranger stations at Paradise and White
River; issuing climbing passes and providing updated information for
climbers; staffing two high camps (Camp Muir & Camp Schurman); briefing
hundreds of climbers during peak season; responding to numerous search and
rescues and emergency medical situations on the upper mountain; operating
and maintaining high camp facilities and communications systems;
maintaining toilets at the high camps and managing the “blue bag” and
“Leave No Trace programs; hauling several thousand pounds of human waste
off the upper mountain to processing facilities.  In addition, the revenue
from these fees allows the park to provide the climbing ranger staff
training in core skills, including mountaineering, search and rescue,
emergency medical services, incident management and aviation-related
training, to be able to perform their jobs in the extreme environment in
which they work.  Part of their job responsibilities also involves
monitoring the alpine wilderness areas for impacts related to visitor use
and climate change.

Superintendent Uberuaga said “I very much appreciate the ideas,
recommendations and feedback from all of the people who provided comments,
either at the public meetings or in writing.  Their participation helped us
make better decisions that will guide management of the climbing program
for the next several years.”

                                  -NPS-

Stevens Canyon News, Mt. Rainier.

Rehabilitation of 10 miles of Stevens Canyon Road planned in 2011, 2012 and
2013

Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga and Federal
Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division officials
announce that the planned rehabilitation of  Stevens Canyon Road is
tentatively scheduled to begin in early September, 2011 and be completed by
late September,  2013.

Federal Highway Administration, Western Federal Lands Highway Division
officials will be announcing a pre-solicitation site visit for prospective
bidders in early May, 2011.  The contract will likely be awarded by August,
2011 with the project starting immediately following the Labor Day holiday
on September 6, 2011.

The National Park Service prepared an Environmental Assessment and a
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which was approved by the Pacific
West Regional Director on July 1, 2010.  The FONSI calls for the
resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of the Stevens Canyon Road and
other related facilities, including bridges, tunnels, culverts, guard
walls, retaining walls, turnouts and the short Wonderland Trail section
adjacent to Reflection Lake. The improvements will occur along two segments
of the road, totaling 10.09 miles of the 19 mile road.  Segment 1 begins at
the Nisqually-Paradise Road intersection and extends east for 4.83 miles to
the Stevens Creek Bridge. Segment 4 begins at the Backbone Ridge Viaduct
(just east of the Backbone Ridge Viewpoint) and continues for 5.26 miles to
the intersection with Washington State Route (SR) 123.

Ten sites in Segment 1 and 35 sites in Segment 4 have been identified as
needing subsurface stabilization to halt roadway embankment creep that has
resulted in surface tension cracks and appreciable horizontal and vertical
displacement. Two of the 10 sites in Segment 1 require full roadway
embankment replacement down to 22 foot depth and retaining/guard wall
replacements.  Most of the 35 sites in Segment 4 require either ¾- width or
full road embankment replacement down to 5 foot depth, some of which
require retaining/guard wall replacements.

Due to the scope of the extensive roadway embankment stabilization efforts,
it will be necessary to close the east end (Segment 4) of Stevens Canyon
Road from the gate located just west of the Grove of the Patriarchs (see
attached map) to just east of the popular Backbone Ridge Viewpoint from
September 6, 2011 to when the road is shut down for the winter (October 24
th in 2010).  The contractor will also be doing subsurface compaction
grouting in both road segments to stabilize the roadway in 2011.  Visitors
will be able to access the Reflection Lakes area, Box Canyon and Backbone
Ridge Viewpoint area and adjacent trailheads from the west during the
2011closure period.


During the 2012 season, the subsurface stabilization work on the west end
(Segment 1) will require a closure from just east of the Paradise Valley
Road to the Box Canyon Area immediately following Labor Day to when the
road is shut down for the winter. The contractor will also be repairing the
tunnel walls at milepost 6.9 and 8.5 during the closure period.  During
this period, visitors will be able to access up to the Box Canyon area from
the east.  From approximately June 2012 to just before Labor Day 2012 the
contractor will be conducting work in both segments, at which time visitors
should anticipate 20 minute delays Mondays through Fridays.

During the 2013 season, the contractor will focus on drainage improvements,
repair/stabilization and reconstruction of historic rock retaining walls,
milling/recycling the asphalt surface as road base; and resurfacing with
new hot-mix asphalt which will be accomplished while the roadway is open to
the public. At this time visitors should again anticipate 20 minute delays
Mondays through Fridays until project completion estimated in September,
2013.

Stevens Canyon Road connects the east and west side of the park, extending
for 19 miles from SR 123 at the east end to intersection with the Nisqually
to Paradise Road at the west end, two miles south of Paradise. During the
2011 & 2012 closure periods, visitors are encouraged to access the Paradise
area from the southwest via the Nisqually Entrance at east end of SR 706.
Visitors traveling from the east via SR 410, SR 123, and/or US 12 who wish
to visit the Paradise area have two detour options:  Via Gifford Pinchot
National Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek Road) beginning on US 12 in
Packwood and ending on SR 706 east of Ashford; or the longer route via SR 7
beginning in Morton on US 12 and ending on SR 706 at Elbe (see attached
map).

While the construction and associated closures and traffic delays present
an inconvenience, the rehabilitation work will not only improve the driving
surface of the roadway, but ensure its longevity.

Updated information on this project may be obtained by calling Mount
Rainier National Park at 360-569-2166. Information on this project, as well
as general park information, is also available on Mount Rainier National
Park’s Intranet Homepage (www.nps.gov/mora).

                                   ###

NOTE:  Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by
dialing 5-1-1 from most cell phones. This new traveler information system
builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that
manages 4.6 million calls each year.  Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get
statewide construction, mountain pass conditions, and state ferry system
information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines.
TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

                                  -NPS-

The Right Camera for Climbing Mt. Rainier

You've spent a year training to climb Mt Rainier.  You've bought the gear, hired the right guide, taken time off work, bought plane tickets AND you want a great new camera to capture the whole experience.  The options these days are numerous and constantly in flux.  By the time you read this article new cameras will be released and others taken out of production.  This is an exciting time to be a photographer, and your climb of Mt Rainier will no doubt provide many opportunities for dramatic images.  It was the mountain after all that led me to photography in the first place.  So, what are my recommendations?

For me image quality is paramount.  In the past this absolutely meant bringing along a Digital-SLR with interchangeable lenses.  These cameras have large sensors and are easy to operate even with gloves on.  They also capture RAW files for maximum quality output.  The ability for a camera to capture RAW files is absolutely necessary if you want to produce high quality images.  There are volumes and volumes of books, as well as workshops, that focus on processing your camera's RAW output for optimum results.  Luckily there are a few "point-and-shoot" and compact interchangeable lens cameras available now that produce RAW files.  A camera with the ability to shoot RAW comes at a premium though.  These cameras will cost a little more than the basic point-and-shoot cameras available today.  It is worth mentioning that you pretty much get what you pay for when it comes to cameras and camera accessories.  If you are serious about high quality images then spending as much as you are comfortable with is probably a good idea.  Even if you don't know how to work with RAW files, you can set the camera to capture regular jpeg images and RAW files simultaneously.  That way if you get "The Shot," you can have a high end printer process and work the RAW file with you for output in a professional environment.

To get a camera that captures RAW files, you will be looking at high-end point-and-shoots such as the Canon G12, Canon S95 the Panasonic LX5.  Another option is a camera like the Panasonic DMC-GF2, which is a compact body with interchangeable lenses, but without the bulk of a D-SLR.  This category is not exactly "pocketable" though.  The last option is to bring a Digital SLR with interchangeable lenses.  While a D-SLR will provide you with the best possible image quality, you aren't going to get that many shots if the large camera is living in your backpack.  I usually carry a D-SLR, but it is very liberating to travel light, and the new cameras that I mentioned above do a very good job.  I can't overstate the importance of bringing a camera that you can actually use.  With a high end point and shoot, you will be able to keep the camera in a jacket pocket and shoot with one hand, so that the other hand can still participate in your primary activity of the moment... CLIMBING.  As an added bonus to having it handily parked in a jacket pocket, the battery will stay warm and last quite long.

 

In conclusion, I can tell you that the climber with the least amount of extraneous C@#P and the lightest pack on the mountain will have more fun than the others, and today's new RAW capture point-and-shoots are just the ticket that we have been waiting for!  Have fun, climb safely, and bring back some great images!

Mount Rainier National Park Announces the First of Several Fee Free Periods in 2011

Mount Rainier National Park Announces the First of Several Fee Free Periods
in 2011

Entrance fees will be waived at Mount Rainier National Park and all other
national parks on a total of 17 days this year.  The first of these fee
free periods will be January 15 through 17 in celebration of Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day.

Other fee free periods in 2011 will be April 16 through 24 (National Park
Week), June 21 (the first day of summer), September 24 (National Public
Lands Day), and November 11-13 (Veteran's Day Weekend).  Fee free days
serve to encourage Americans to visit and appreciate their national parks.

The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center will be open over the upcoming holiday
weekend, as well as the snowplay area at Paradise.  Guided snowshoe walks
will be conducted on all three days.  The National Park Inn and General
Store at Longmire will also be open offering food service, lodging, gifts,
and snacks.  Tire chairs are also available for sale.

Visitors are reminded that tire chains must be carried in all vehicles,
including those with four-wheel drive, when traveling in the park during
winter months and may be required at any time, depending on road
conditions.

For updated recorded information, call 360-569-2211 or visit the park’s web
page at www.nps.gov/mora

Recommendations for 2011 Workshops.

You are one of the great aspects of our workshops.  Your energy, enthusiasm, and creativity feeds into the buzz that keeps us going all day long, all week long.  This energy is at its best when students of similar capabilities get collaborating.  For this reason we have provided a recommended flowchart.  We will not require portfolio reviews for acceptance, but keep the recommendations in mind when choosing a workshop. (If you don't like flowcharts, shoot me an email to discuss programs)
We know that every class will have a range of experience, knowledge, and tastes.  Your unique vision contributes to the class.  If you have any question about choosing the best class for you, please contact us.  Click on the image below to enlarge!

Winter Recreation Activities Begin at Mount Rainier National Park

Winter Recreation Activities Begin at Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga announces that the
Paradise snowplay area will open for the season, Saturday, December 18.
Snowshoe walks led by Park Rangers will also begin on that date.

Snowplay - Sledding and Sliding
The snowplay area is immediately north of the upper parking lot at
Paradise. Sliding and sledding in the park is permitted ONLY in this
designated area.  Snowplay runs are supervised daily by Park Rangers from
December 18 through January 2, then on weekends and holidays from January 8
through March 27. Visitors may use the sled runs when the area is not
staffed, but the runs are not groomed during the week. For current snowplay
status, contact the Longmire Museum at 360-569-2211 ext. 3314 (9:00 a.m. –
4:30 p.m. daily).

Because of the high potential for personal injury and frequency of
accidents, no other park areas are
open to sliding activities.  Serious injuries have occurred when people
mistakenly slid over waterfalls, into trees, down slopes that were too
steep, broke through thin snow into stream gorges, or slammed into other
people.  Skiing and snowboarding are permitted in other areas, outside of
the snowplay area.

For your enjoyment and safety, these few guidelines apply:
  Use only inner tubes, plastic sleds, saucers, or other soft sliding
     devices. No wooden toboggans, runner sleds with metal edges, or other
     hard devices are permitted.
  Compressed air is available at the rock restroom tunnel across the plaza
     from the new Jackson Visitor Center when snowplay rangers are
     present.
  Be sure the run is clear before starting your slide. Collisions may
     cause serious injury.
  Dress warmly and in layers with a wicking fabric such as wool or
     polypropylene next to the skin and a waterproof outer layer. Wear
     hats, gloves, and snow-sealed boots. Do not wear lightweight blue
     jeans and t-shirts. They get wet easily and will not keep you warm.
  Rest, re-warm, and snack frequently to help keep you comfortable and
     alert. Take a warm-up break at the Jackson Visitor Center before
     feet, hands, noses, or ears feel numb. Food service is available from
     11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. when the visitor center is open.
  The snowplay area is usually closed by 4:30 p.m. nightly.
  Check 1610 on your car radio while in the park, for updates on current
     road conditions.

Snowshoe Walks
Join a Park Ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing in the winter wonderland
of Paradise and learn about the ecology of the area.  During the holiday
break, the guided walks will be offered daily December 18 through January
2.  From January 8 through March 27 the walks will be conducted on weekends
and holidays only. The walks are offered at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on a
first-come, first-served basis.  Sign up at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor
Center information desk at Paradise beginning one hour before the start
time.                               ……..



Organized groups of 13-25 people may reserve a snowshoe walk in advance.
Group snowshoe walks begin at 10:30 a.m.  For more information or to make a
group reservation, call (360) 569-2211, ext. 3314.

Snowshoe walks cover approximately 1.5 miles and last up to 2 hours.
Snowshoes are provided, or visitors may use their own.  A donation of $4
per person is asked to help defray the cost of snowshoe maintenance.
Snowshoeing is a moderately strenuous activity, and participants must be at
least 8 years old.  Remember to wear sturdy boots and dress in layers.

Educational Snowshoe Walks for School Groups
Curriculum-based snowshoe education walks are available at no charge to
school groups on weekdays through the park’s Education Program. These
programs are tailored to meet the teacher’s identified learning objectives.
Contact Fawn Bauer at (360) 569-6037 for more information or to schedule
your field trip.

Please check the Mount Rainier National Park website at
http://www.nps.gov/mora/forteachers/index.htm for more information about
field trips and teacher workshops.

Facility Hours
The Longmire Museum (360-569-2211, extension 3314) is open daily from 9:00
a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center (360-569-2211,
extension 6036) is open from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. during holiday
break (December 18 through January 2) and on weekends and holidays through
March 27.

Visitors are reminded that roads in the park may be closed at any time due
to hazardous conditions.  When driving on park roads, please use caution as
the roads are icy, narrow, and steep.  Carry chains at all times and pay
attention to changing conditions.  General park information is available at
www.nps.gov/mora or by calling 360-569-2211.

Driving Times, Mount Rainier National Park.

When visiting Mount Rainier National Park this summer, expect a few delays for road repairs on SR 123  and SR 410.  Delays shouldn't exceed 20 minutes.
One way driving times without delays are as follows:

• Longmire to Paradise  ~25 minutes, 12 miles.
• Paradise to Ohanapecosh via Stevens Canyon ~45 minutes, 23 miles.
• Ohanapecosh to White River/SR410 Junction ~30 minutes, 17 miles.
• White River/SR410 Junction to Sunrise ~45 minutes, 14 miles.
• White River/SR410 Junction to Carbon River via Enumclaw ~ 2 hours, 60 miles.
• Longmire to Carbon River via Eatonville/Orting ~2.5 hours, 80 miles.
• Longmire to Mowich Lake via Eatonville/Orting ~3 hours, 89 miles.

This information was provide by MRNP!

Have a great time in the park this summer.
Adam

Late July clouds are awesome!

The clouds have been great this past week.  This was shot from the lookout above town.  This is a huge 33 Megapixel image.  I am going to need a bigger printer!  It is available for purchase at AdamAngel.com

Adam