Mount Rainier Volunteers and SCA

This info comes from Kevin at rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com. A lot of great work these folks do. Thanks Kevin.

Student Conservation Association's Mount Rainier Recovery Initiative reaches successful conclusion
The Student Conservation Association released the following press release last week, which I've delayed reporting here in light of the recent renewed flooding in the park. We're now repairing the road damage at Kautz Creek, and still waiting on reports from the backcountry, so here's the press release, along with some well-deserved kudos to SCA:An effort valued over $3 million, 3,254 volunteers contributed 154,168 hours to Mount Rainier National ParkSEATTLE, WA -- November 12 , 2008 – The Student Conservation Association’s (SCA) Mount Rainier Recovery Initiative has completed the second and final season of the award-winning program. SCA worked in collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Washington Trails Association (WTA) and Washington’s National Park Fund to form the Washington Parks and Forest Coalition. With financial support from REI, Boeing and hundreds of donors, SCA fielded an innovative new program at Mount Rainier to help with the recovery efforts following the devastating floods of 2006.SCA played a pivotal role in the success and momentum of the Mount Rainier Recovery Initiative. Over the course of two years, 3,254 volunteers from around the country contributed a total of 154,168 hours to Mount Rainier National Park – an effort valued over $3 million, according to Park officials. Volunteers worked on rebuilding the Wonderland Trail, restoring habitats, campgrounds and historic structures, carrying supplies to backcountry project locations, patrolling trails and assisting park visitors. SCA also offered wilderness and project management training sessions to park staff and volunteers."I consider Mount Rainier like a second home. I decided that it was time for me to give back some of myself to the park which has given me so much joy, peace, and serenity over the years," said SCA volunteer Jean Millan.The Mount Rainier Recovery Initiative received many accolades, among them the Cooperative Conservation Award, the George B. Hartzog Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and the Take Pride in America award, a national award from the Department of the Interior for federal land managers, which was received by Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga."Congratulations to SCA for its long legacy of public land conservation," said Congressman Norm Dicks. "We commend them for their outstanding support in the recovery of Mount Rainier National Park."For more information about the volunteer program at Mount Rainier National Park, visit www.nps.gov/mora or rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com.
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About SCAThe Student Conservation Association (SCA) is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school volunteers who protect and restore America’s parks, forests, and other public lands. For more than 50 years, SCA’s active, hands-on approach to conservation has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save our planet. For more information, visit www.thesca.org.From The News Tribune:Volunteer brigade makes a difference at Mount RainierNearly 1,840 volunteers gave 70,130 hours of their time at Mount Rainier National Park this last fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. That translates into $1.37 million worth of work, representing more than 10 percent of the park’s annual operating budget.... it is surprising, and pleasantly so, that the number of people who volunteered at the park went up 6.5 percent.... It’s great so many people turned out to help with flood recovery and other projects. There wasn’t nearly as much press coverage of the park’s need to drum up support, yet people still showed up.From the Seattle Times:Green Ethics: Values, hard workHarnessing enthusiasm and channeling talent is an extraordinary skill of the Student Conservation Association, which was honored this past spring by the Department of the Interior for its epic storm-recovery work at Mount Rainier National Park.... A drum roll would be appropriate because the park enjoyed the hands-on labor of 3,254 volunteers contributing 154,168 hours of heavy lifting and hard work repairing storm damage. Park management values the donated labor at more than $3 million.

Fall on Rainier

BEAR DAY at PARADISE!

by sally Nov.10.2008 12:10:33 am

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Taken on October 29th from Chinook Pass………


Here are some of my favorite fall photos from previous years.


Mouse over photos for information………….

Before you go any further…. let me remind you of the following information………



This photo from a previous year is where my bear adventure took place at Paradise. This is the lower paved trail into Edith Creek Basin area where there is a place to view Mrytle Falls.

Fall has come to the mountain! It’s beautiful presently! The mornings are cool, crisp and dewy! The daylight time is shorter with some downright cold evening weather. The “Caution - Roads are Icy” sign sits prominently at the national park entrance and also at Longmire to note that winter is just around the corner.

The weather has been unpredictable which is not uncommon during the month of October. There have been glorious sunny October days but unlike the month of September the sunny days stay only a day or two at a time. It has rained in the city and snowed at the mountain and yet the next day may bring warmth from the sun to melt ice or snow or dry the dew on the leaves.

The autumn colors are appearing everywhere around Mt. Rainier. The vine maples always make the biggest color statement but they were still not at their peak on Tuesday, October 14th when I visited. Paradise showed a fair amount of red low lying bushes and lots of foliage with yellow hues. But the greenish yellow told the tale that with more cold frosty mornings shades of orange and deep reds would soon appear on the slopes of the Paradise hills.



This year has been difficult for the mountain black bears! The huckleberries and blueberries didn’t ripen until mid September! The bears should have been eating berries starting in August to fatten themselves for their long winter hibernation. On this Tuesday in October, I didn’t see blueberries or huckleberries on the slopes above the Paradise Inn but instead some red berries I think are called elderberries. However, on an earlier September 26th visit to Paradise while hiking up the Deadhorse Creek Trail, I had feasted on both blueberries and huckleberries that were ripe and ready. Perhaps the cold chill made the berries drop off the bushes leaving just the red berries now for the bears. Presently, the bears are in an altered state of urgency honed into eating everything they can before their long winter nap. Thus stories of daily bear sightings are flooding in from everyone visiting Paradise as the bears eat the red elderberries voraciously. The bear reports are mostly noting the bears around Paradise are young yearling bears. A yearling bear is one that has been abandoned by the mother bear to begin their solitary bear life. The young bears seem not to be afraid of people unlike the older wiser bears. These young bears are “hanging out” around the paved lower trails and around the closed Paradise Inn populated by people most of the time. Therefore a trip to Paradise right now not only excites the senses for the beauty of the fall colors but also excites the sense of adventure of seeing a bear in the wild.

My short trip to Paradise on Tuesday, October 14th also became an adventure all about bears! The mountain was hidden behind a thin veil of clouds but the crisp fall air with its special scent from the dying foliage making autumn colors was plenty to make this trip well worth the drive. But the bear experience that unfolded at the beginning of the trail behind the Paradise Inn pushed the limits of excitement beyond my wildest dreams.

I was walking up the paved trail section behind the Paradise Inn toward Myrtle Falls and Edith Creek. Suddenly, around a curve in the paved path a bear came walking toward me.
I stood frozen with fear not knowing what to do. Scream? Run backward? Yikes, what was the right thing to do?? I didn’t have time to think because the bear kept walking toward me so I stopped moved to the side of the paved path and placed my tripod with camera attached down on the pavement and began snapping photos. What else could I do?

The bear kept walking toward me and when the bear was right beside me it stepped down off the pavement and veered down a bit away from me. But as soon as the bear was past me it walked back up onto the edge of the paved path with an obvious destination in mind. Unbelievable! I think my heart stopped for awhile as the bear past by me. I couldn’t remember the actual passing because of my extreme fright! After the bear walked past I realized its focus was on getting to a good elderberry patch. This young bear was totally unfazed by humans. I had read about this bear on Mike Gauthier’s Climbing Blog that is accessible on the right side of this blog page. This particular bear was brown with golden blonde hair sticking up in spiky points on its back neck that was an unusual sight! After seeing the photos on this blog, check out the latest posting on Mike’s blog to see another bear photo taken at Paradise.

My bear story should end here but it doesn’t! As I began leaving the parking area at Paradise while I was looking toward the Tatoosh Range, a small bear that was black darted out from behind the Paradise Inn in front of my car running to the opposite side of the road… I suspect to get more elderberries. I had to slam on my brakes since I was momentarily looking away from the Paradise Inn side of the road in order to not hit the bear with my car. Holy Cow! Or should I say……Holy Bear? What a bear day at Paradise!

I will let my series of BEAR PHOTOS show my story!
ENJOY!
Sally Johnson
Sally’s Photos
www.mtrainierphotos.com

Winter is just around the corner!

With winter fast approaching, the crew here at Whittaker Mountaineering is getting geared up for ski and snowshoe season! What does that mean? Well, here in the foothills of Mount Rainier winter can arrive at any point now, and that means SNOW! Once that snow starts falling, we'll be out enjoying the wonderful winter recreation opportunities the local area provides. Did you know that North America's Largest No Fee Hut to Hut Ski Trail System is right in our backyard? That's right, the Mount Tahoma Ski Trail System has approximately 50 miles of trails perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing which can be accessed from roads just outside of Ashford, Washington.


In addition to these trails, there are 3 Backcountry Huts that can be reserved for overnight stays. The first opportunity to reserve a hut for the upcoming season will be on November 15th at the 2008 MTTA Gala Fundraiser - don't miss it!


In addition to the MTTA trails, there are endless winter opportunities within Mount Rainier National Park ranging from hiking and snowshoeing to backcountry skiing and climbing. Access to the park via the Nisqually Entrance is open throughout the winter months and the road all the way to Paradise is plowed daily! For additional information, visit the Mount Rainier National Park Winter Recreation page.

Want to get out and enjoy these opportunities but don't have the equipment to do so? We rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, snowboards, and randonee skis, as well as winter essentials like tire chains, avalanche beacons, and winter clothing. Check out our rentals page for rates and more information!

Ready for another great winter but need to upgrade that old shell jacket? Want to stay warm on that winter camping trip but don't have the right insulated clothing? Or are you new to winter recreation and just looking for a pair of winter hiking pants? Whatever it is, here's a few recommendations for some great winter gear:

The Mountain Hardwear Hooded Compressor Jacket and Compressor Pant are lightweight and feature highly compressible synthetic insulation, making them ideal in conditions where moisture is a concern. They will easily disappear in your pack yet will provide incredible warmth, especially when layered under a waterproof shell. All of us here at the store refuse to venture out in the winter without at least one of these pieces, and the RMI Guides wear them all summer long while guiding on Mount Rainier.



In recent years, softshell pants have become the standard for winter hiking. There are a lot of different brands and models out there to choose from, but our favorites are the Mountain Hardwear Men's Makalu Pant and Women's Makalu Pant. These pants are constructed of a durable stretch nylon with a tightly woven face that keeps the wind out and easily sheds snow and light drizzles. Better still, the light fleece lining provides warmth for cold days yet still breathes well when the mercury rises.



Waiting for that rain to turn into snow? Stay dry with a waterproof shell like the Mountain Hardwear Pinnacle Jacket. It features welded construction to reduce weight and bulk, eliminating the need to tape seams. The hood is perfect for use with or without a helmet, and the superlight pit zips allow for easy temperature regulation throughout the day. A great jacket at a great price!



Be sure to visit us at Whittaker Mountaineering for updates on MTTA trail conditions, snow levels, and great clothing and equipment for your next adventure!