J-VIPAs at Thompson Ranch

Mount Rainier recently hosted our 17th yearly group of volunteers from Japan aka J-VIPAs. This year 9 volunteers stayed with host families for up to two weeks working at the Thompson Ranch at what is to be the Carbon River Ranger Station on a number of projects including building this staircase!

During their time away from volunteering they attended a Seattle Mariners baseball game with several park employees. The J-VIPAs also enjoyed hiking and a tour of Mount Rainier National Park with special stops at previous year's J-VIPA projects.

A big thanks to everyone who contributes to making the J-VIPA program possible and especially to the J-VIPAs for their hard work!