Roving Roving Roving Keep the Meadow Rovers Roving

Can you believe that summer is almost over?  Nights are much cooler here on the

Mountain.  There is a crispness to the air each morning as I begin to walk the trails.  However, meadow roving does not end with the Labor Day weekend.  We will continue roving until the snow sets in or mid-October...whichever comes first!  So come up and enjoy the changing seasons.  Pick some huckleberries along with the bears – they will share!

If you are wishing to camp at Longmire, please make those reservations through my e-mail (Maureen_McLean@nps.gov) or mora_meadow_rovers@nps.gov.   The meadow rover e-mail gets checked by others on my off days and may get a faster response!

Please do not call the Campground Host directly as she needs to receive the requests from the supervisors.

As I begin to write my end of season report, I would like to share your input with the Park Supervisors.  I would ask that you take some time to think about what went well roving, what issues you may have had, and what areas management needs to address.  We have definitely seen deterioration of some areas at Paradise and are looking for ideas to ameliorate the problem. Your ideas for improvements will be passed on to those making planning and resource decisions over the winter for next summer.  Please give me the good and the bad. If you have pictures you wish to share, send those too.

I am wishing you a glorious fall with a long a wonderful “Indian Summer”.

Maureen McLean

Coordinator MORA Meadow Rovers

360-569-6582

Meadow Rovers and First Responders

I received this report Sunday from Meadow Rover Ed Hunds. It illustrates well the importance of our Meadow Rover volunteers as first responders not only to threats to our beautiful mountain gardens from off-trail tramplers, but also to incidents of public safety. Great work, Ed, Dan, and Brian!

Kevin,

Saturday I was working Paradise and I stationed myself by Glacier Vista. Most of the afternoon I spent assisting visitors, keeping them on the trail and off a snow patch that was attracting them off the trail.

Later that afternoon I was told that a small boy had injured himself at the snow patch. When I arrived I learned that an 8 year boy had fallen through the snow patch and landed hard on rocks below and sustained bruises to his ribs, shoulder and face. What the visitors couldn’t see (including me) was that the snow patch was mostly hollow and the snow was 3-4 feet about the ground.

I radioed for EMS, and a short time later, a few minutes apart two other rovers (Dan Purnell and Brian Carpenter) magically appeared to offer their assistance. Dan had even snagged a mountain guide along the way and brought him down to assist.

It was reassuring to know that other rovers quickly responded and were available to provide assistance. Fortunately the boy was able to walk out on his own.

Ed

Lantern Bearers Still Needed!

Reminder;  Our once a year (or two) production of the Shadows of the Past living history program is tomorrow (Saturday the 23rd).  Lantern lit, ranger-led walks depart from in front of the National Park Inn at Longmire at 8:30 PM, 8:50 PM, 9:10 PM, and 9:30 PM. The walk travels about 3/4th mile and lasts about 80 minutes.

We are still looking for lantern carriers to assist with the program. Please sign up at the following link if you can help. Lantern carriers are invited to join the cast and crew at the administration building after the last walk for a special dessert.

Sign up link: http://doodle.com/esukx55dzpxtyxy6

Please let me know if you have any questions or answers.

 

- Curt Jacquot

Get Your 15 Minutes Of Fame!

Good People,

Monday is Founder's Day. To celebrate and launch the new NPS Centennial Logo, the Service is seeking and will be posting photos of people posing with a sign of our new centennial logo. It would be great to share photos of people all over the park. Here is what to do:

1. Print out the sign (enlarge appropriately).

2. Assemble your NPS peeps.

3. Instructions from WASO: Snap an engaging or silly photo of you and your colleagues (including partners and volunteers, if you’d like) holding the birthday sign in a nice setting at your park and/or the places you work. Please make sure that people can read the sign in the photo. If you are outside and you are in uniform, please wear your hat!

4. Email your pic to kristyn_loving@nps.gov by 0800 on Monday morning.

We will share as many photos as we can.

Lantern Bearers needed for Shadows of the Past

Hi there!  We are looking for lantern carriers to help with our Shadows of the Past program on the evening of August 23 at Longmire.  There are four walks leaving from in front of the National Park Inn at Longmire between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The walks last about 90 minutes. We need at least three or four carriers per walk. Those carrying a lantern spread out during the walk and then move to illuminate the speakers from below during stops.  There will be a volunteer sign-up form to "John Hancock" before you start that night.

Those who help with a lantern do not need to buy a ticket!!! Ok, so no one has to buy a ticket. But, lantern carriers do get to join the cast and world famous director (me) for some of Virinda Longmire's "rolly pollys" right after the program at the Longmire Administration building.

 Sign-up via the doodle link below.  If you have any questions or answers please let me know.

Link: http://doodle.com/esukx55dzpxtyxy6

 

- Curt Jacquot

Shadows of the Past - Living History

Come along on a walk through history Saturday Evening, August 23rd at Longmire!
Contact:  Park Ranger Curt Jacquot, (360) 569-6577

August 15, 2014 – On Saturday August 23rd Mount Rainier National Park will present Shadows of the Past, a “living history” program. Volunteers and staff in costumes will portray important individuals from the park’s past.  The early story of Mount Rainier and the National Park Service from 1883 through 1916 will be told. Lead Rangers will guide groups along the Trail of the Shadows in Longmire. Historical figures will emerge from the darkness while volunteers with lanterns illuminate the scenes!

The free program lasts about 80 minutes. Admission to the park is $15 for private vehicles. Longmire is six miles east of the park’s southwest Nisqually entrance.  Walks will leave (rain or shine) from in front of the National Park Inn at Longmire at 8:30 PM, 8:50 PM, 9:10 PM, and 9:30 PM.  Those attending should bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear, insect repellant, and a flashlight.

Please note: Curt still needs a few lantern carriers to help with this year's Shadows of the Past program. Four walks will leave from in front of the National Park Inn at Longmire between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The walks last about 90 minutes. We need three or four carriers per walk. Those carrying a lantern spread out during the walk and then move to illuminate the speakers during stops. If you would like to assist, contact Curt at the number given above.

Pick It Up On September 6!

It's time for another Adopt-a-Highway litter patrol, and Crow is looking for ten people who are willing to commit approximately two hours to this community service project. Duration of the event depends on the number of people who sign up...the more, the merrier (to a maximum of 12).

In 2012, Mount Rainier's Volunteer Program partnered with the Washington Dept. of Transportation by contracting to keep the two-mile section of SR 706 including the Park's Tahoma Woods frontage free of litter. In exchange for our services, Park volunteers are acknowledged by two big blue signs placed at either end of the patrol area. These signs benefit us by bringing our volunteers and volunteer program into the public eye, encouraging even more people to volunteer in the Park.

We will be gathering at Park Headquarters at Tahoma Woods, three miles east of Elbe on SR 706 on Saturday, September 6 at 10 AM, and work will go forward rain or shine. "Long-armed grabbers," litter bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own gloves if you prefer.

In order to participate in the upcoming patrol, volunteers who have not already done so are required to watch a short training video which features a very young and goofy Bill Nye ("the Science Guy"). The video can be found on the DoT's website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/operations/adoptahwy/

To sign up for this Adopt-a-Highway event, contact me (Crow) at petrina_vecchio@partner.nps.gov no later than September 1 to confirm that you've watched the video.

"50 Years of Wilderness" Photo Contest

In 2014, our nation is celebrating “50 Years of Wilderness”. On September 3, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act. This bill established the National Wilderness Preservation System and set aside millions of acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. The Washington Wilderness Act of 1988 further designated thousands of acres of land as wilderness, including the majority of Mount Rainier National Park is designated as a wilderness area.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Mount Rainier National Park invites photographers to enter its 2014 Digital Photo Contest. To learn more about the contest, please visit our Flickr group at https://www.flickr.com/groups/mountrainiernps_wilderness50th/rules/

Sunrise Reveg!

The annual Mount Rainier National Park Associates meadow revegetation work party will be Saturday, September 6th.  That is the Saturday following the Labor Day weekend, a little over three weeks away.  MRNPA volunteers will again be assisting the Mount Rainier ecological restoration crew in planting wildflower seedlings, working to convert a historic campground area near Sunrise back into alpine meadows.  This year's seedlings need to be planted before the snow covers the meadows.  September 6th will be a big day in getting this effort started.

On the morning of Saturday, September 6th, MRNPA volunteers will meet in the Sunrise parking lot between 8:30 and 9:00 AM.  As you arrive at Sunrise, look for John Titland's dark green Subaru Outback Wagon.  It will be parked in the far left (south) corner of the parking lot.  Please check in as soon as you arrive so John can get a count and the names of all MRNPA volunteers.  There will be volunteers from other organizations milling about, so stick close with the MRNPA group and be ready to move out at 9:00 AM.
Be prepared for almost any fall weather.  In the past, these events have seen everything from warm and sunny days to a driving blizzard.  In addition to your sun hat, sunscreen and your rain gear, bring a lunch, plenty of fluids to drink, gardening gloves, and a hand-digging tool you like to use.  If you have no gardening tools, the NPS will provide small hand tools.  Most of the day, you will be working on your hands and knees to do the planting, so you should bring some kind of protection for your knees. The pads available at your local gardening retailer work for most people.  The work site is about a mile hike from the Sunrise parking lot, so plan on carrying everything you need to and from the work site.

This is a great outing to share with your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or even your kids.  It is a beautiful location,  It is also very instructive to see how much of the area has been replanted and how it is slowly returning to being a meadow.

If you would like to camp for free at the White River Campground the evening prior to, or the evening of the work party (or both evenings), contact Julie Hover, julie_hover(at)nps.gov and tell her which evenings you wish to camp and how many tent sites you will need.  For free camping, arrangements must be made well in advance of the scheduled date.

If you plan to join the MRNPA volunteers on Saturday, September 7th, for this meadow revegetation work party, please reply to volunteer(at)mrnpa.org to confirm that you will be participating and indicate the number of volunteers that you will bringing with you.

The Safety Committee Opposes Speeding!

People driving too fast continues to be a problem in the Longmire Campground despite several Park-wide emails asking people to slow down. The matter came before the Safety Committee today, and members were asked to carry the message to their various Divisions. Additionally, volunteers who use the campground are requested to make a note of speeders' license numbers and vehicle descriptions, especially if the speeder is piloting a Park vehicle. If speeding continues to be an issue, warnings or citations may be issued.

Crow Vecchio
Safety Committee Member

Share The Fun - Washington State Fair

Put yourself in this picture and "Share the Fun!"

Yes!  The Washington State Fair is fast approaching.    Last year park staff and volunteers talked to over 11,000 people and thousands more checked out our exhibits.   

This year you have two opportunities to "Share the Fun."

#1. Staffing the Mount Rainier Booth:   We would like to have two park people for each of the three  3 to 3 1/2-hour shifts a day.  You will receive a ticket for admission to the fair and a parking pass (together worth almost $25).  You can experience the fair before and/or after your shift.    The fair runs from September 5th through September 21st.   The Fair has changed the opening time on Mon-Thur so we have slightly different schedules on those days compared to Fri-Sun.
Mon-Thur:  first shift 11:00-2:30, second shift 2:30-5:30, third shift 5:30-8:30.
Fri-Sun:  first shift 10:00-1:30, second shift 1:30-5:00, third shift 5:00-8:30.

#2. Staff the Snowshoe Walk:   On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6 PM the NW Outdoors Building and Mount Rainier National Park will be providing a snowshoe experience (mainly for kids, but adults can try too).  The trail of straw will be in its own dedicated area.  The trail will be an L-shaped loop about 30 yards long and will wonder around and through a native plant display, which we hope will also include a water feature.  There will be two 3-hr shifts each day and we need at least two people each shift.  It will be a busy, but quick, three hours.  You will also receive a ticket and parking pass.
Fri-Sun:  first shift noon-3:00, second shift 3:00-6:00
 
The park is an important part of the Northwest Outdoors Alliance.  Our exhibits will occupy one of the largest spaces in the building.   But the most important part is a real live person representing the park service, talking with all those enthusiastic fairgoers.

I hope you can help out.   You will have a great time at the fair and I look forward to hearing from you.   An email response would be best, since at this time of the year I’m seldom in the office.  Tell me what activity, date, and time shift would work for you.  Also please include your current mailing address so I can mail you instructions, maps, and tickets.

As in past years, park supervisors may allow their employees to do a shift at the fair on park time if the supervisor can make a day available. Including drive time and shift time it usually makes close to an eight hour day.    Park employees who volunteer to do a shift on their own time may wear their normal uniform.  Uniforms are not a requirement to volunteer. 

Thanks, and we’ll see you at the fair.
Jim Ross
Outreach Specialist
Mount Rainier National Park
55210 238th Ave. E.
Ashford, WA 98304-9751
360-569-6568 (summer only)

Great photos needed!

Hi all,

I have received some great suggestions for our Washington State Fair exhibit on Mount Rainier Wilderness. What I haven't received are great photos. If you have some super photos of Rainier wilderness please share them for possible use on our exhibit. Time is short so please help ASAP.

Please include location of each picture so it can be properly located on the map that will be part of the exhibit.

Here are examples of photos needed:

• Unique wilderness (I'm especially looking for a good photo of the natural bridge)
• Wilderness that can be enjoyed on a easy day hike
• Fantastic wilderness flower meadows (not Paradise, Sunrise, or Tipsoo Lake)
• Wilderness waterfalls
• Wilderness lakes
• Night sky from the wilderness
• Historic structures in the wilderness - lookouts, shelters, ranger cabins
• The summit and the route to it
• Camping in the wilderness (especially short distance camps) 
• Wilderness wildlife (goats, mountain lions or other cats)
• Anything else you feel expresses the unique Rainier wilderness

The pictures need to be of relatively high resolution so they can be enlarged. Please send them to me by e-mail at Jim_Ross (at) nps.gov. If the files are large, please send the attachments one at a time, they come through better that way.

Thanks,

Jim Ross
Outreach Ranger

Volunteer Newsletter, August 2014

Volunteer Picnics Coming Up August 15 and 16 

Join us on Friday, August 15 at the Longmire Community Building or Saturday, August 16 at the Sunrise Picnic Area for our annual Volunteer Picnics! Both picnics begin at 4:30pm and are potluck, so bring something to share. The volunteer program will provide drinks, paper plates, glasses, and plasticware at Longmire, and will bring hamburger patties and veggie burgers at Sunrise. As in previous years, we'll be grilling at Sunrise, so if you have a portable grill to share, please let us know. Both gatherings will be an informal celebration of volunteer activities and a great opportunity to meet fellow volunteers, and are open to all park employees, as well as those interested in learning more about the volunteer program.

To give us a sense for how many people to expect, please RSVP for the Longmire Picnic to Kevin Bacher at Kevin_Bacher (at) nps.gov, and for the Sunrise Picnic to Lynn Kittridge at Lynn_Kittridge (at) partner.nps.gov. 

Who Was That Masked Postcard Donor?

In early July, a volunteer brought in a set of small Mount Rainier postcards from 1923 to the Longmire Museum, labeled "Bardell Fototone Miniatures," and wondered if we wanted them. Here's what they look like: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTY4WDgwNg==/z/TBoAAOxyVLNS2UYy/$_35.JPG. Ranger Hayley took them and passed them on to our park Curator, Brooke Childrey, who but did not get the volunteer's name and contact information. Brooke would like to follow up with the volunteer to learn more about where the postcards came from, and to complete formal donation paperwork. If you are the one who donated the postcards, please contact her at Brooke_Childrey (at) nps.gov, or 360-569-6784. 

Mount Rainier National Park Receives 2014 America’s Best Idea Grant from the National Park Foundation to Support Student Conservation Association Youth Crews 

Mount Rainier National Park is one of 39 national parks selected to receive a 2014 America’s Best Idea grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Inspired by Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” this program builds partnerships between national parks and community, state, and other public organizations, and engages diverse audiences in meaningful and relevant ways with national parks and inspires participants to become stewards of our National Park System.

“The America’s Best Idea program connects people – particularly youth – to America’s national parks, often for the first time,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Through meaningful and memorable in-park experiences that highlight the natural, cultural, and historical treasures in our National Park System, we are able to inspire the next generation of park-goers.”

“We want everyone to find themselves in a national park,” said Jonathan B. Jarvis, director of the National Park Service. “These National Park Foundation grants will help people acquire a better understanding of their national parks and, hopefully, of themselves, through place-based learning and recreational activities. Native Americans who will visit traditional homelands, budding scientists who will study environmental impacts, and students from Gallaudet University who will examine aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act are among the many groups which will benefit from the grants.”

At Mount Rainier, National Park Foundation funding will support three teams of youth recruited by the Student Conservation Association (SCA) from communities in Seattle, and from Joint Base Lewis-McCord (JBLM) through SCA’s “Base to Base Camp” program. Eight high school students and two crew leaders in each Community Crew will spend fifteen days working on trail maintenance projects throughout the national park, repairing trail tread and building bridges at sites like Klapatche Park and the Wonderland Trail. This is SCA’s 20th year fielding Community Crews at Mount Rainier, and the third for its Base to Base Camp program. Eleven students from JBLM joined thirteen from Seattle on last year’s crews. This year’s crews will be in the park from July 6th through August 31st.

“We are pleased to have Community Crews back at Mount Rainier this year,” said Superintendent Randy King. “These young people play an important part in the protection and care of our national parks, and they also represent the next generation of park stewards.” Many graduates of past Community Crews have gone on to serve as seasonal or career rangers with the National Park Service or other agencies.

*****
Upcoming Events

Daily: Meadow Rovers Needed!

Meadow Rovers are always needed, and this is one of our busiest times of year! We've been a little short on Rovers at Paradise especially, so if you have a day free, come on up and help out! The wildflowers are nearing their peak, and bus loads of tour groups are showing up with increasing frequency. We need rovers who can provide a welcome and reminder to groups as they arrive, and to station themselves at critical areas to remind visitors of the importance of staying on trails, even if there's a tempting patch of snow or wildflowers visible in the distance. Contact us at MORA_Meadow_Rovers (at)nps.gov to let us know when you're coming up.

Thursdays-Mondays: Star-Gazing at JVC

Join our stellar cast of volunteer astronomers outside the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center Thursday through Monday nights this summer. There will be telescopes available and knowledgeable guides to help you enjoy the wilderness of the night sky. Star-gazing will take place just after dark through at least midnight (weather permitting, subject to cancellation). Our Astronomers this summer:

Tom and Gracie Pauly of the Starryhill planetarium (starryhill.org): Yes, they have their own planetarium and observatory!  These retired teachers are top notch at helping people connect to the wonder of the night sky (Thursdays only).

Don West-Wilke: Our returning Tacoma Astronomical Society Astronomer of the Year. He annually records more visitor contacts than anyone in the park. One of the most knowledgeable and colorful astronomers in Washington. Sometimes called "the Singing Astronomer" (Saturdays only).

Pat Beatie: This Bellevue college astronomy teacher will be helping people connect to the night sky five nights a week (Thursdays through Mondays). He often also sets up a solar viewing scope during the day next to the JVC.

Fridays-Sundays: Trail Maintenance with the Washington Trails Association

WTA continues to lead trail work throughout the park every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and will do so at least through Labor Day. If you're looking for a way to help out, this is a sure-fire opportunity! Visit WTA's website at www.wta.org and click on the "Volunteer" tab at the top for a list of projects throughout the state. Look for the ones marked "Mount Rainier" to help out here! 

September 6: Planting Day

Mount Rainier's annual volunteer planting day will be on September 6 at Sunrise. The Mount Rainier National Park Associates (www.mrnpa.org) will be there, but the project is also open to anyone who wants to help. Watch our blog (rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com) for details coming soon!

September 6: Mount Rainier Volunteers Adopt-A-Highway

In partnership with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation, Mount Rainier's volunteers make litter patrols along Hwy 706 three times a year. This stretch of highway includes the Park's Tahoma Woods frontage. For more information or to sign up for our September 6 event, contact Crow at petrina_vecchio(at)partner.nps.gov.


September 27: National Public Lands Day

Mark your calendars: this year's National Public Lands Day will be Saturday September 27. We're still working out the details, but the day's project work will likely include trail maintenance and native planting, and will probably be based out of White River and Sunrise. Activities will be suitable for all ages. Save the date!

Ongoing: Amphibian Surveys

Laura Davis is looking for volunteers to help conduct surveys to document the presence or absence of amphibian species at various lakes, ponds and wetlands with an emphasis on historical Western Toad sites. The surveys will involved hiking to predetermined sites and will be concerned with finding, identifying and measuring amphibians at all stages of development. You do not need any previous experience and surveying equipment will be provided. You may volunteer once or multiple times throughout the season. If you need to stay overnight, free camping is available at Cougar Rock, White River, Ohanapecosh and Longmire campgrounds. Longmire since is the closest to the meeting point. Both day trip and overnight backpacking surveys will be done throughout the park.

If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Laura Davis via laura_davis(at)partner.nps.gov.

*****
What's Been Going On

BSA, GSA, MRNPA, REI, SCA, WNPF, WTA, and Starbucks (Oh My!)


To say that July and August have been busy with volunteer groups would be a bit of an understatement! Here's a quick and incomplete sampling of those who've been working with us this month. Our eternal gratitude goes to all of our volunteers who help keep their national park running in excellent condition!

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) gathered at Camp Sheppard, north of the park, the week of August 3rd, for their annual ArrowCorps Conservation School, organized by the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts' leadership corps. They helped rebuild picnic tables and perform general maintenance in the Paradise Picnic Area, and completed a long stretch of brushing on the Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon. They were joined on the latter project by members of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a youth employment program that draws from local high schools.

The Girl Scouts of America (GSA) showed up with troop 52767 on July 25th, and earned their Stewardship Patches by completing 10 hours apiece of combined education and volunteer service by working with ranger Ryan Cyphers McLoughlin (ed. correction) in the Paradise meadows.

The Mount Rainier National Park Associates (MRNPA) was here on August 2nd for their annual picnic and a trail project near Narada Falls. They will be back next month on September 6, planting native plants at Sunrise.

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) and Washington's National Park Fund (WNPF) are out in force this weekend, August 9th, doing a fundraising climb on Mount Rainier. The Fund supports projects in Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks, including our climbing, trails, and volunteer programs. More than half of our volunteer budget, in fact, comes from donations through WNPF! Learn more at www.wnpf.org.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA)'s Community Crew program is wrapping up its second of three crews this weekend. The first group of 8 students and 2 crew leaders, drawn from high schools in the Seattle area and from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), kept busy with trail work near Narada Falls in July, while the second team has been working on trail maintenance and bridge construction on the Wonderland Trail near Myrtle Falls. The third and final crew will arrive August 17 for its 15-day assignment, tentatively scheduled to be near Klapatche Point.

The Washington Trails Association (WTA) has been busy all over Mount Rainier, working on trails near and far, most recently along the scenic Skyline Trail at Paradise. They continue to lead public volunteers every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so sign up (at www.wta.org) and pitch in! You could even earn a personalized WTA work helmet!

Starbucks arrived for their annual work project on August 1st, and spent the 2nd working on the Wonderland Trail. We always welcome their energy and their donations of coffee!

Coming up, we'll be visited by volunteers from The Evergreen State College, the Sierra Club, and many others. Thanks again to everyone for your hard work and dedication!

SCA Receives the Director's Partnership Award

We're pleased to announce that the Student Conservation Association's Community Crew program, out of Seattle, has won the National Park Service Director's Partnership Award for 2014! The award will be formally presented soon at a time and venue yet to be determined. It recognizes 30 years of youth volunteerism, 20 of them at Mount Rainier National Park, and their recent initiative called "Base to Base Camp," which has engaged youth in military families from Joint Base Lewis-McCord and others.

More Radios Are a-Comin', Thanks to the Puget Sound Energy Foundation and WNPF

Partnerships are invaluable to Mount Rainier, and one of our most productive has been Washington's National Park Fund. When the Fund learned that we continue to suffer from a shortage of radios in our Meadow Rover program--tools that are critical to the safe and effective operation of our volunteers--they stepped up to find donors who would help fill the need. Now, thanks to the Puget Sound Energy Foundation, five new radios are on their way! THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this happen!

Transitions at the Longmire Campground

The Longmire Stewardship Campground remains an invaluable resource for volunteers and other park partners who need temporary camping and showers at Mount Rainier National Park. We say a fond farewell and a grateful thank you to Jim and Lorraine Cherry, who served in excellent form as our campground hosts through most of July before returning home to Indiana! We're also extremely thankful for Yonit and Leon Yogev, who filled in for a busy week at the end of July, and to Nancy Mortensen, who arrived August 1st to finish out the season. Nancy will be here through September, and will be available to receive campground reservations at Nancy_Mortensen (at) partner.nps.gov just as soon as her park e-mail is set up (hopefully in the next few days), or by telephone at 360-569-0933.

Condolences

Our sincere condolences go to John Titland and his family on the recent passing of his wife Jane. John and Jane have been volunteers for many, many years at Mount Rainier, and are founding members of one of our most dedicated group of volunteers, the Mount Rainier National Park Associates. We will always be grateful for Jane's service, dedication, and friendship.

And more...

These are only a few of the many, many ways that volunteers serve at Mount Rainier National Park every day. In almost every program, volunteers serve alongside paid staff, helping us to protect our national park and serve its visitors better than we ever could without their help. In some cases, park programs and services would not exist without volunteers. You will almost certainly cross paths with a volunteer if you visit the park. Take time to say thank you!

In True Partnership

Two of the Washington State's strongest companies are showing their love for Mount Rainier National Park this weekend.  In true partnership, REI and Microsoft both have climbing teams attempting to summit Rainier.  Climbers have been raising money all year to benefit Mount Rainier National Park's search and rescue, volunteerism, and trails.  Funds raised flow back to Rainier through our leading fundraising partner, Washington's National Park Fund.

Washington's National Park Fund raises private support for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.  They focus their efforts on improving visitors' experiences, science and research, volunteerism and stewardship, and youth and family programs.  Over the past six years, more than $2 million has been given to Washington State's three largest national parks.  2014 promises to be a banner year of giving thanks in part to the climbers attempting to summit this weekend.  Together, REI and Microsoft employees have raised more than $100,000.00.

Also in true partnership, the three climbing companies that provide guiding services at Rainier - Alpine Ascents International, International Mountain Guides, and Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. - have dedicated this weekend's climbs to Washington's National Park Fund.   They are collectively helping the Fund in these fundraising efforts.

And one more beauty in all of this?  The climbs will take place under this month's full moon.  What could be better?

Thanks, REI and Microsoft!  Thanks, Washington's National Park Fund! Thanks, AAI, IMG and RMI! Your support means the world to Mount Rainier National Park.

Happy trails,
Laurie Ward

MVP Amy Mann

photo provided by Amy Mann

MVP Amy Mann got interested in volunteering at Mount Rainier National  Park while hiking with a friend, Dick Gorenson. Amy hiked with him while Dick was meadow roving and thought it would be something she would like to do when she retired. So in June, 2007 Amy officially became a volunteer.

She can be seen meadow roving at both Sunrise and Paradise, and in the  winter months she is a snow rover in the Paradise area. Amy is glad to see an  official snow rover program on the mountain and believes it is very much needed.

Ideally, Amy tries to volunteer once a week, “but I can’t always manage that.” She has over 600 volunteer hours so far.

When asked what gives her the most satisfaction as a volunteer, her answer is “Sharing the beauty and majesty of our backyard wilderness with others.”

The Tacoma branch of the Mountaineers also keeps her occupied. She has led hikes, backpacks and snowshoe trips for them and also writes the weekly hike column that the Branch puts in the Tacoma and Olympia newspapers. The columns started in June, 2004 and will conclude at the end of 2014 after more than 10.5 years!

What else fills her time? She does much traveling to the East coast and overseas to visit her children and grandchildren!

~Jean Millan