Mountaineer Mindy Roberts Receives Prestigious Award

Mindy Roberts and fellow Mountaineer Jim Feltus

Each year, the National Park Service recognizes one individual or group within the entire national park system for outstanding public safety achievement. The Andrew Clark Hecht Memorial Public Safety Achievement Award is presented for prevention of accidents that may cause serious visitor injuries or fatalities. This year's award went to theMount Rainier National Park Climbing Program and its partners, recognizing the reduction in climbing fatalities, search and rescue missions, and overall increases in visitor safety on the upper mountain from 2006-2008 as a result of a number of actions taken within the park and by outside partners.

Mindy's work with Climbing Ranger Mike Gauthier to create a training/education curriculum through the Tacoma Mountaineers was included as part of the nomination for this award, and the park system felt it was one of the significant factors in helping improve the safety record of climbers attempting to climb Mount Rainier.

Mindy was presented with the award on Wednesday, June 24, at a ceremony in Ashford, WA. Also in attendance were Board President Eric Linxweiler and Tacoma member Jim Feltus. Congratulations Mindy!

July 14, Tue., 7 p.m. - The 7th Annual Photography Exhibit Photo Selection

We need your photos! You have been snowshoeing, climbing, hiking or traveling? Now is the time to share your experiences with others. We will select the images to be displayed at our Annual Tacoma Mountaineers' Photo Exhibit during the monthly photo meeting on July 14. The selected photos will be displayed during September and October at The Tahoma Gallery in Tacoma. There is an entry fee of $25, in cash or check, payable to the Mountaineers (no credit cards) for each photographer to submit photos. Complete information on the Exhibit and the selection process is contained on the Photography Page.

For more information, please contact the Photo Chair, Brian, 206- 491-2962, lepiolet@gmail.com

Belayer on S. Ingalls Peak
By Brian Kenison

Sunset on Alder Lake
By Brian Kenison

Mt. Hood Sandy Headwall
By Brian Kenison

2009 SPRING OPENING BEGINNING AT MRNP

Just like the bears and other animals begin their annual ritual of coming out of hibernation, park maintenance crews are beginning the annual ritual of “spring opening.” Throughout the park this involves opening up roads that have been completely snowed in since last fall and have 10+ feet of snow accumulation; removal of slides, boulders and rocks and fallen trees from these roads and repairing any damage; shoveling snow from park buildings; reactivating water, sewer and heating systems that have been shut down during the winter; 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.

The Washington State Department of Transportation also has their spring opening underway on State Routes 123 and 410 through the park.

Snow was a little slow in coming to the higher slopes this winter, but it appears a spring rally is underway. Last year on February 1 Paradise had 177°± of snow on the ground; this year 107°± were on the ground. On March 15, 2008 Paradise measured 211°± (17.5°) on the ground; this year 152°± (12.5°). Last winter snow continued to accumulate into spring and a cool, wet spring kept it on the ground late into summer. We’ll have to wait and see what this spring will bring.

SNOWPLAY AND SNOWSHOE WALKS ENDING FOR SEASON
Mount Rainier Acting Superintendent Randy King advises that the public snow play area at Paradise will close for the season on Sunday, April 5. The area was staffed through Sunday, March 29, and will remain open but unstaffed March 30 through April 5. Beginning April 6, inner tubing runs will no longer be available as equipment will be redirected to other areas of the park to assist in spring opening.

The ranger-led snow shoe walks ended on Sunday, March 29.

The new Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center will be open weekends only until May 4, when it will begin 7-day-a-week operations.

TENTATIVE OPENING DATES FOR ROADS, CAMPGROUNDS, ETC. BELOW:
State Route 410/Cayuse Pass April 24 (tentative)
State Route 123 @ park boundary April 24 (tentative)

The Mountaineers was established in 1906 and over the years has grown into the largest outdoor-recreation organization in the Northwest, including branches in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, Bellingham, Wenatchee, and Kitsap County. The Tacoma Branch was founded in 1912. As our membership grew, our activities increased to include a wide array of muscle-powered outdoor endeavors. However, some things about The Mountaineers never change. Our philosophy and purpose are the same as when the organization was formed almost 100 hundred years ago.