REI Sumner's Volunteer Day

The Logistics Team from the REI Distribution Center in Sumner, WA dropped in for a day of service and trail work in Mount Rainier National Park recently.  Normally having a narrow view of Salmon Creek off in the distance through an office window, this was a welcome change of scenery for everyone.  The crew was eleven strong and ready to get their hands dirty the moment they arrived.  After a short and scenic “mile long hike” along the Wonderland Trail leading up to Summerland just inside the White River Entrance, the group was met by their trail crew lead, Jen, from the Washington Trails Association.  She gave an introduction to the tools the group would be using for the project of drainage trench clearing and then everyone spread out over the trail to begin. 

WTA's Jen Haas giving the rundown of today's project.

After a few hours of work, the crew found a breathtaking spot to rest for lunch, and almost immediately was back to work, showing how much they really wanted to complete this project.   Covering approximately a mile of trail, clearing and creating any needed drainage trenches, the group worked determinedly throughout the afternoon.   

Following their work, they burned up more of their energy by going out on a hike, led by none other than the world renowned Ranger Kevin.  At the end of the day, their green REI Co-Op t-shirts were filthy, sweaty, and covered in dust, but the group couldn’t have been any happier.

 

REI is a Premier Partner of the National Park Foundation’s Find Your Park campaign.  For more information about REI and their continued efforts to improve Mount Rainier and other National Parks around the country, visit http://www.rei.com/h/national-parks .  For more information about the partnership between the National Park Foundation and REI, please visit http://findyourpark.com/partners#rei .