Trails project coming up on May 19th

Greetings,

The second Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party for 2012 will be on Saturday, May 19th.  That's a little over two weeks away.  I do not know what the project will be yet.  Our trail crew leaders are still evaluating the winter damage and will give me the project information in about a week.  I will pass along the information about the project and where we will meet as soon as I get it.  Whatever the project is, we will meet at about 8:30 AM and be ready to move out by 9:00 AM.  When you enter Mount Rainier National Park, tell the attendant at the gate that you will be working on a volunteer project.  Volunteers enter the park for free.
 
Be prepared for a hike to the work site.  As always, bring your lunch and plenty of fluids to drink, work gloves and safety glasses, and a full set of rain gear.  During May it is common to have rain or wet snow falling at Mount Rainier, so bring some warm clothing too.

If you plan to attend this May 19th trails work party, please reply to this email indicating that you are coming and give me the number of volunteers you expect to accompany you.  I need an estimate of the number of volunteers so that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for us all. 

There are safety equipment requirements for all MRNPA trail work volunteers. (These rules apply to all trail workers.)  Anyone using an aggressive tool - like a Pulaski, ax, shovel, etc. - or anyone working near them -  is required to wear a hard hat and safety glasses.  People working with or near a less aggressive tools are not required (but will be encouraged) to wear a hard hat.  If you own a hard hat that you can wear, please bring it.  If you do not have a hard hat, MRNPA has hard hats that we loan for the day.

Wearing safety glasses is encouraged at all times. Not all safety glasses are comfortable for everyone and some will not fit over eye glasses.  Because of cleanliness issues, some people don't like wearing safety glasses that have been worn by other people.  For these reasons, and probably many others, please purchase (acquire, find, dig-up, whatever) a pair of personal safety glasses that you will wear.  The local hardware store is a good place to start shopping.  A serviceable pair or safety glasses will cost about $10.  And be advised that shatterproof eye glasses do not meet the requirement for safety glasses.  Safety glasses all have side protection which eyeglasses do not.

John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates