Looking to the north. What lies over the crest?
The world's highest and largest plateau desiccating in the world's largest rain shadow...

This is a great explanation of stream aggradation in Mount Rainier National Park. I've been watching this happen for over 14 years and while we usually associate huge volcanoes with succinct catastrophic events, they reshape the landscape and our lives in many ways...

-Authored by VisitRainier.com-
Mt. Rainier, WA.- The US Forest Service announced that FR 99, running to Windy Ridge at Mt. St. Helens is opening the morning of July 4.  To assist travelers who want to visit both Mount Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, Visit Rainier is offering a "Two Mountain Vacation" map and visitor guide.

Link to map and visitor guide is here:  
http://www.visitrainier.com/media/pdfs/Two_Mountain_Tour_Rainer_StHelens.pdf"Having all the roads around Mount Rainier and now Mt. St. Helens opening by the end of the week is exciting for folks who would like to visit both mountains," said Mary Kay Nelson, executive director of Visit Rainier.  "Travelers rarely care about the 'boundaries' of a National Park versus the Forest Service, versus a State Park, etc.  They are interested in visiting a region.  It is our job to ensure they have all the information they will need to make the most of their time in our area."

The Two Mountain vacation map is a collaborative effort between Visit Rainier and Cowlitz County Tourism.  Visit Rainier also offers four versions of different loop trips that can be made around Mt. Rainier, that include points of interest, top attractions, drive times and seasonal suggestions.

"The wildflowers will be out shortly and our weather is gorgeous," said Nelson, "I would strongly encourage folks to come spend time in our state's beautiful volcanic region, especially now that it is even easier to get here."

The opening of the Windy Ridge road coincides with the opening of the roads to Sunrise and Mowich Lake in the Mt. Rainier National Park.  As of the 4th of July, all roads in and around our state's major mountain peaks are fully open and awaiting anxious visitors and recreationalists. 


VisitRainier.com

-Authored by NPS-
Mount Rainier Superintendent Randy King advises that the Sunrise Road and the Sunrise Day Lodge will be opeA. The recent warm spring weather in the northwest has assisted with the snowmelt and allowed the park staff to open earlier than scheduled.

Sunrise sits at 6,400’ on the eastern flanks of Mount Rainier. It is the highest point in the park that can be reached by vehicle and is closed from late October until early July due to snow. Paradise, on the southern side of Mount Rainier sits at 5,400’ and has recorded 744”of snowfall during the measurement period so far this year. The snowfall measurement period is from July 1 – June 30. Approximately 3-4 feet of snow is on the ground in the Sunrise area.

Other openings include:

• Cougar Rock Campground. Thursday, June 27
• White River Campground. Friday, June 28        
• Mowich Lake Road is opening Wednesday, July 3 - parking lot clear; approximately 3 feet of snow remains - lake is still frozen, but melting out; trail route finding necessary
• Narada Falls Trail. Open – may close intermittently for construction zone safety

Other areas in the park that are open include Ohanapecosh, Paradise, Longmire and Carbon River. Numerous businesses in the gateway communities surrounding the park are open for business and ready for the summer visitor season.

For park information or current updates visit the Mount Rainier web page at www.nps.gov/mora. Recorded park information is available by calling 360-569-2211.

Great event last night with Eric Taylor. Thanks Eric, Brad Klein, Randy Smith, Steve Caskey and everyone in attendance for bringing in a new era in Morton. Photo by Curt Jacquot.

The storyteller can put the most amount of meaning into the smallest package. Songs that summon your story even though you've never met the songwriter, pictures that your eyes behold but you feel in your chest. A story that unleashes your own stories, leveraging your own past back into the moment, and overwhelming your heart. Come hear stories exquisitely told...

If you'd like a chance to go North of the Himalayan Crest this fall you can join our group. With almost 3 months until departure, NOW is the time to sign up. Please visit International Mountain Guides for more information.

Hey you!
Slow down.
One of the hardest things to do in life is to take a person on a mental journey that leads them to your unique perspective. We attempt this in may ways, through witty storytelling with elaborate intentions, stubbornness, yelling, belittling, false modesty, leveraging, with words and with pictures. If you've spent a lot of time trying to change people's perspectives, you will eventually start to recognize and feel empathy towards those that are trying to broaden or narrow your perspective. When you see this SLOW DOWN, whether or not you are on the giving or receiving end.

One of the intentions for the updated gallery space was to fully control the presentation of my prints. I am currently enjoying one of the most wonderful social experiments I have ever witnessed. I get to be part of the consumption of my art. For the most part we have become a race that races. The old, the young, the poor, the rich, the book smart, the dull, the dreamer, the technician, the artist, the ambitious and the lazy. Everyone that enters the gallery is in a hurry and oblivious to varying degrees. I selfishly take note and vow to slow down in my own daily life.

It's all good. I'm not here to judge you or to base my sense of self worth on how long you contemplate an image or its presentation. I'm just here. I was an observer when I built the gallery, shot the picture, and made the print. As you enter the gallery, I am still an observer. Welcome.

~Adam

Time to fire up the comments section on the blog...
Anyone know what mountain this is, and where the image was captured?

-Authored by the NPS-
On Friday, May 24 work will resume on rehabilitation of 10 miles of Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park according to park Superintendent Randy King and officials from the Federal Highway Administration’s Western Federal Lands Highway Division. This will be the second and final season of road rehabilitation effort that begun last summer by Tucci and Sons, Inc. of Tacoma that was awarded the contract for $8,910,093.

This season the contractor will focus on drainage improvements, repair/stabilization and reconstruction of historic rock retaining walls, localized milling and leveling of the existing asphalt surface and resurfacing with new hot-mix asphalt. Work also includes minor repair of two road tunnels west of Box Canyon.  At this time visitors should again anticipate maximum 20 minute delays through each segment Mondays through Fridays until project completion, scheduled for mid-September.

Stevens Canyon Road connects the east and west side of the park, extending for 19 miles from SR 123 at the east end to intersection with the Nisqually to Paradise Road at the west end, two miles south of Paradise. Visitors wishing to avoid delays are encouraged to access the Paradise area from the southwest via the Nisqually Entrance at the east end of SR 706.  Visitors traveling from the east via SR 410, SR 123, and/or US 12 who wish to visit the Paradise area are encouraged to seek alternate routes.   Bicyclists are strongly encouraged to avoid Stevens Canyon Road this summer due to frequent construction delays and need for escorted traffic through specific areas. Those who do choose to bicycle or ride motorcycles on this road should take extra care in maintaining slower than normal speeds as loose gravel and/or tack oil surfaces will be encountered throughout the construction areas.   

While the construction and associated traffic delays present an inconvenience, the rehabilitation work will not only improve the driving surface of the roadway, but ensure its longevity.

-NPS-

-Authored by the NPS-

Effective March 1, 2013, Mount Rainier National Park was required to reduce its annual operating budget for Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) by five percent due to the impacts of “sequestration” (a series of automatic, across-the-board permanent spending cuts). The park must absorb this funding cut between now and September 30, the end of the federal budget cycle, during the period when most visitors come to the park.  The National Park Service’s FY13 operating budget was subsequently cut six percent under the continuing resolution passed by Congress later in March.  This additional one percent cut to the National Park Service budget will be taken from projects at a national level, not park operating funds.  

Mount Rainier’s annual budget last year (in FY12) was $12.08M. This included funding administered by Mount Rainier for human resources and resource Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) programs supporting many national parks in the Pacific Northwest, leaving $11.35M for Mount Rainier operations. From this budget, the park is eliminating $603,000 in planned FY13 expenses to meet the five percent mandated sequestration cuts, resulting in $10.75M available for the year. This year’s reduction is in addition to over $500,000 in operating budget cuts absorbed by the park since 2010.   

To reach the new FY13 budget target, the park will take several measures:

Staffing Reductions: Anticipating some level of budget cut in FY13, park management put a hiring freeze in place last summer for most vacancies, excepting positions related to public safety and access. Typically, 78 – 80% of the park’s base budget is committed to personnel, with another 10% in largely fixed costs for fuel, utilities and fleet operations.

• More than a dozen permanent positions are currently vacant out of approximately 110 full and part year positions.  Several of these positions will not be filled this fiscal year or next.
  

Support Cost Reductions:  The park has eliminated most travel and training, and restricted supply purchases.

Visitor Services Reductions:  Less funding equates to fewer staff to support visitor services.   

• The Ohanapecosh Visitor Center will not open this summer. Closure of the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (OVC) will impact approximately 60,000 to 85,000 visitors during the 130 days that the OVC would normally open each summer. This closure will also result in the elimination of formal interpretive programs and informal roving interpretation in the Ohanapecosh area (approximately 400 visitor programs/contacts for 27,000 visitors annually).  Uniformed presence will be reduced in the surrounding area, including Grove of the Patriarchs and Box Canyon. The public restrooms outside the visitor center will remain open. 

• Ohanapecosh Campground- shortened season by two weeks.  The Ohanapecosh Campground will close two weeks earlier, on September 29 instead of October 14, resulting in the loss of approximately 680 camper nights. 

• Cougar Rock Campground- shortened season by six weeks.  By opening Cougar Rock Campground four weeks later (June 27 instead of May 24) and closing two weeks earlier (September 29 instead of October 14), the park would impact the least number of visitors and be able to wait until more of the snow is melted before taking on clearing activities. The delayed opening also enables an early start on a power line replacement project. Total camper nights impacted by the six week season reduction are estimated at 1,700-1,800. 

• Carbon River Contact Station- staff reduction.  In order to meet target reductions for FY2013, Mount Rainier National Park will reduce the number of seasonal fee collectors from three to two in the Carbon River Contact Station. It is expected that this staffing reduction will diminish hours that the contact station can be staffed, reducing availability of information, trip planning services, general assistance, and fee collection.

 
Absent additional funding next fiscal year, the $603,000 reduction is a permanent adjustment to Mount Rainier’s operating budget. Further adjustments in staffing, operations and visitor services will be made next fiscal year as park managers seek to optimize use of available funding to best serve visitors and protect Mount Rainier’s incredible resources. 

“We’ve had to make some difficult yet necessary adjustments in operations this year, and have strived to minimize the impact of those decisions on visitors.  The park will be open and accessible and will continue to provide an array of outstanding experiences and services.  We look forward to welcoming people to their park this summer,” said Superintendent Randy King.

-NPS-

Cayuse Pass will open for the season on May 3 at noon.
This enables access in Mount Rainier National Park from the park's northern boundary (State Route 410) to the southern boundary (State Route 123).
Get out and the enjoy the sun!

~Adam

Last Saturday night was a blast and a great moment for our community! The Swimfish Concert was spectacular, the images amazing, and our flag firmly planted in Historic Downtown Morton. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and supported the arts.

The new exhibition is now on display and will remain until Fall. We are available by appointment, but the doors are open if I am in the office (which is frequent). Call ahead or email to make sure someone is available for you.

Mark your calendars. June 15 is the Official Grand Opening. Doors will open at noon, and there will be acknowledgements at 4:00. Stay tuned for details.

Regards,
Adam

-Authored by the NPS-
Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Randy King advises that April 22 – 26 is designated as National Park Week across the nation. In celebration of this week, admission to all national parks will be free during that time. Please come and enjoy your park!

Spring is a great time to visit the park, to enjoy spring skiing and snowshoeing, experience the 16 feet of snow currently on the ground at Paradise, or just spend a night and enjoy the peacefulness of the mountain – and pay no entrance fee! 

While many of the areas and roads at Mount Rainier still remain under winter snows at this time of year, the park is open to Longmire and Paradise. Road access is through the Nisqually Entrance (southwest area of the park via State Route 706). The gate from Longmire to Paradise remains open 24 hours a day, but may close at any time if unusually heavy snowfall occurs or other conditions are present making the road unsafe for travel. Through April 30, park visitors must carry tire chains in their vehicles when traveling on park roads. Spring weather in the mountains is very unpredictable and sudden snow storms may necessitate chains even later into the season, for safe travel.

The winter activities of sledding and ranger-led snowshoes walks have concluded for this season. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are still very popular activities during this time of year. Visitors should check with Rangers for current weather and avalanche conditions before heading out on a trip. Conditions can change rapidly and getting caught unprepared in a sudden storm could result in tragedy. Be sure to let someone know your plans in case your return is delayed.

The National Park Inn at Longmire is open year round offering lodging, dining, a gift shop, as well as ski and snowshoe rentals – a great place for a getaway in early Spring.

The Paradise Inn is scheduled to open for the season on May 22. For reservations at Paradise or Longmire, call 360-569-2575 or on the web at www.mtrainierguestservices.com

On the east side of the park, the Washington State Department of Transportation is in the process of clearing the winter snowpack from State Routes 123 and 410. There are no confirmed opening dates at this time. Local businesses in the gateway communities surrounding the park are open and ready for the beginning of the 2013 visitor season. For more information visit www.visitrainier.com

The Skate Creek Road (Forest Service Road 52) which travels along the park’s southeastern boundary east of Ashford to Packwood remains closed at this time. Current information can be obtained from the Cowlitz Ranger District Office in Randle, Washington - 360-497-1100.

If you are looking for a good location to hike or bike, the Carbon River area is currently snow free to Ipsut Creek Campground and provides a great opportunity for hikers and bicyclists. 

You can connect to Mount Rainier National Park through our social media pages. Join the Mount Rainier community on Facebook, find out breaking news and road status updates through Mount Rainier's Twitter feed, explore the park and behind-the-scenes operations with our videos on YouTube, and share you own photos of Mount Rainier with other visitors in the Mount Rainier Flickr group.

For recorded park information on roads and current conditions call 360-569-2211 and follow the menu. Road and weather conditions are updated as conditions change. Information is also available on the Mount Rainier web page – www.nps.gov/mora. Web cams showing current conditions at Paradise can be accessed from the web page – scroll down to Paradise web cameras.

SPRING SAFETY TIPS:  Recreating during the transition between winter and summer offers challenges and hazards unique to this time of year. The following information will help you prepare for conditions that may be encountered:

• Storms can occur any month of the year at the mountain. Spring and early summer are notorious for unpredictable and rapidly changing weather.  Be prepared for winter-like conditions even into June.
  
• Before starting your hike, check with the Wilderness Information Center or visitor center for current weather, avalanche and trail conditions or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/mora
  
• Hypothermia and frostbite are cold weather hazards which can lead to serious injury or death.  If you are spending time outside dress sensibly, drink lots of fluids, and take warm-up breaks indoors.
  
• A reliable map and compass skills, along with use of a GPS, may be needed in many areas of the park because snow-covered trails can be difficult to follow.
  
• Avoid crossing steep, snow-covered slopes where a fall or avalanche could be disastrous. Turn around instead.
  
• Falling through thin snow bridges is a hazard anywhere streams remain snow-covered.  Stay alert for muffled sounds of running water. 
  
• Falling into snow moats, or tree wells around trees and adjacent to logs and rocks, can cause injury or even death.  Avoid getting too close and make sure you have firm footing before proceeding.
  
• Avoid stepping on wet, slippery rocks, especially near rivers and waterfalls. Be mindful that ice may be covering these areas.
  
• Avoid stepping onto snow cornices. They may collapse under your weight.
  
• Observe for avalanche conditions and take precautions to prevent being caught in an avalanche.
  

-NPS-

-Authored by the NPS-
Even though the calendar says Spring has arrived, most of Mount Rainier National Park is still covered in deep winter snow. Paradise currently has 167 inches of snow on the ground. Although it may be late June, mid-July, or even early August before the last remnants of snow finally leave the slopes of “The Mountain”, park and concessions personnel are beginning the annual ritual of opening building; bringing utility systems back into operation after the winter closure; removing snow in and around buildings for access; opening park roads; and hiring of seasonal staff is underway. This process is like bringing small, isolated villages back to life each year.

The park’s projected opening dates for 2013 are listed below. These are projected dates only and subject to change depending on conditions.

MARCH:
Tuesday/Wednesday closure of the road above Longmire ends today, March 20.  The gate at Longmire will continue to close nightly through April 15.  The Paradise snow play area will close on March 31 and the guided snowshoe walks end for the season.

APRIL:
April 5 - Westside Road open to Dry Creek
April 15 – nightly gate closure @ Longmire ends
Snow removal underway on Stevens Canyon, Cayuse and Chinook Passes

MAY:
May 6 – Jackson Visitor Center open 7 days-a- week
May 22 – Paradise Inn opens for season
May 24 – Stevens Canyon Road
May 24 – Cougar Rock Picnic Area
May 24 – Wilderness Information Centers – Longmire & White River
May 24 – Ohanapecosh Campground*
May 24 – Box Canyon Overlook & Restrooms
May 24 – White River Road to Campground and Parking Lot
Snow removal continues - Stevens Canyon, Cayuse and Chinook Passes
Cayuse and Chinook Pass/SR410/SR123 – opening dates undetermined at this time

JUNE:
June 27 – Cougar Rock Campground
June 28 – White River Campground
June 28 – Sunrise Road
Snow removal continues - White River/Sunrise Roads

JULY:
July 3 – Sunrise Visitor Center & Day Lodge
July 4 – Mowich Lake Road

2013 FEE FREE DAYS:
April 22-26 -National Park Week
August 25 – National Park Service’s 97th birthday
September 28 – National Public Lands Day
November 9-11 – Veterans Day weekend

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The National Park Inn located at Longmire is open year round offering guest rooms, dining and gifts as well as a moderate supply of groceries. Paradise Inn is open daily beginning May 22 through October 7 and also offers lodging, dining and gifts. Both inns are on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. For reservations call 360-569-2275 or visit their website at www.mtrainierguestservices.com

For information on other accommodations outside the park, visit these websites:
www.visitrainier.com, www.mt-rainier.com, www.staycrystal.com, www.destinationpackwood.com, www.minerallake.com

Visitors planning to come to the park should check for current weather and road conditions. Recorded information is available by calling 360-569-2211 or via the park’s social media pages at:
http://facebook.com/MountRainierNPS
http://twitter.com/MountRainierNPS
http://youtube.com/MountRainierNPS
http://flickr.com/groups/MountRainierNPS

*Ohanapecosh Visitor Center will not be open this season.

-NPS-

Mike Hamill stopped by yesterday to sign some of his masterpieces. They are beauts!

I came upon this image the other day while looking through some of my Serengeti archives. Of the many times that I've seen leopards on safari I've never given much thought to their cousins in the Himalaya, the extremely elusive snow leopard. When I consider how slim my chances are of seeing a snow leopard this fall on our trip to Dolpo, I am filled with gratitude for all of the times I've been able to see these magnificent soles..... Beautiful.

This stunning print is available on 100% Hot Press Cotton Paper created in-house using the highest quality processes and materials available today. All phases of production are directly performed by me to ensure that each print is perfect and worthy of collection. Prints are matted with white museum grade 8-ply mat-board. In addition to the graphite signature on the print, the mat is also signed. Each print is accompanied by a "certificate of authenticity." 

If that's not enough, you can travel with me to the land of snow leopards this fall on an extraordinary journey though the most alluring trek in the Himalayas. Please contact me for details.

Adam

Fresh off of two successful back-to-back Aconcagua Expeditions, Mike Hamill is heading back to Everest this season. To launch the season we've got a truly exciting and UNIQUE print available right now.

Mt. Everest is the highest point on earth and the largest 8000m peak dominating the skyline of the Himalayan mountain chain. This view of the Everest massif, including Lhotse and Nuptse, can only be seen from the summit of Cho Oyu, the World's 6th highest mountain. Mike captured this image on his 5th summit of Cho Oyu. He had just summited Shishapangma, the World's 14th tallest peak, 8 days prior, and had summited Mt. Everest 4 months earlier. This was one of the most magical days he's ever spent in the mountains because he realized his dream of climbing two 8000m peaks in a single season and three within 4 months, a rare feat.

We are excited to present a truly unique piece this spring.

Robe:
Lined Silk and Gold Robe of Maniwa Lama Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche, 20th Century. Rinpoche is an esteemed lama of the Kagyu lineage who was ordained by the 16th Kamapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje.
Click on Image to Enlarge.

This robe is part of Adam's personal collection and will be on display at the gallery through the spring.

We are working on a new picture hanging system that is going to blow your mind! We'll be able to hang pictures from a 12 foot ceiling without using a ladder. Check out part of the prototype. No slouches here. Thanks Randy at SimpleCentrifuge.com.

New Program
Join Adam Angel for a new program to one of the highest and most remote parts of the Nepal Himalayas.  For experienced and fit hikers who really want to get "off the grid" in an area visited by few tourists. (Sept 16 - Oct 14, 2013).