Mount Rainier Blog (Stephanie Schmidt)

Article on Sun Protection

2005-07-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

I was just looking for news about Mount Rainier when I read an article by Jean Enersen, quoting Jeff Renner's take on sun protection. I had to read over half of the article just to get to the point of the story, which was clearly stated in the title, but wasn't brought up for quite some time. Although it wasn't well written, the article makes a good point on how northwest weather can be very deceiving, leaving people unprotected from harmful UVA and UVB rays. I thought I should restate just how important wearing sunscreen is.

Jeff Renner makes a good point saying that civilians in Washington hardly see the sun because of the clouds and the rain, so many of us don't feel the need to wear sun protection. He mentions that when hiking at Mount Rainier he forgot to wear SPF and was dealt the worst sunburn in his life. He mentions that sunburns are worse when walking in snow, as the sunlight reflects off of it, and when around water.

So, it wasn't the best read and barely mentioned Mount Rainier but I thought it was a point well worth reiterating, mainly because I see the affects of the suns harmful rays everyday at work. Women come up to the cosmetic counter that I work at and show me the damage caused to their skin and ask what they can do to reverse it. There isn't much that can help reverse, but there is much one can do to protect, so wear at least an SPF 15 everyday. The suns rays can cause damage on even the cloudiest of days and while it won't seem like it is doing much now in 20 years those who were faithful to their sunscreen will be thankful.

7 Climbing Accidents in the Last Week

2005-07-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

This last week proved to be a bad week for the experienced climber summating Mount Rainier. July 7th four climbers where injured and taken off the mountain by helicopter. The four person climbing crew was on its way to summit Mt. Rainier when one of the four slipped and started to slide. Since the four were harnessed together all four where dragged down the icy slope. Two of the four managed to slide over a crevasse, the other two weren't so lucky and slid in.

All four managed to make it off the mountain, injured, but no fatalities. One climber, Clemens, suffered a serious head trauma, a broken leg, and broken ribs and was airlifted to Fort Lewis. Fisher, another climber was admitted to Haborview's Intensive Care Unit, in serious condition with broken ribs and a liver injury. Bridgewater, a third hiker suffered a dislocated shoulder and the fourth, Lucia the guide suffered a head injury.

The climbers were well equipped and being strapped together although causing injuries could have saved one or more of the climbers lives. This was the seventh climbing accident in a weeks time. Just yesterday, July 13th four more people were rescued, two suffering injuries.

Sleeping Beauty or Sleeping Giant?

2005-07-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

In recent news it was stated that Mount Rainier is due to erupt sometime in the near future, as the last eruption was 150 years ago. From a King 5 article, the USGS recently concluded as part of its survey on volcano hazards, that Rainier is the third most dangerous volcano in the United States. Due to the fact that it's so close to so many people.

The news article goes on to say that there is concern with the heating up process of Mount Rainier. "Even a little kind of deformation that is being seen at the dome crater floor could be enough to break off a chunk of the mountain. This combined with water could produce lahar debris flows that could ultimately threaten downstream communities," said Dr. Bill Steele, University of Washington Seismologist.

An evacuation system has been set up to provide as a warning system for visitors and residents using a siren system to warn them so they may move to higher ground should anything happen.

The Beauty of the Mountain

2005-07-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos I found that help capture the beauty of Mount Rainier. The mountain seems to take on different personalities, it can look so different throughout the day and throughout the seasons.

Why Visit Mount Rainer?

2005-07-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Mount Rainer and its’ beautiful glaciers can be seen from just about anywhere on a clear day in Western Washington. Once one goes to Mount Rainier National Park it will forever become a special place in that travelers’ life. Mount Rainer National Park established in 1899, encompasses 235,625 acres on the west-side of the Cascade Mountain Range. The dense forests, array of wild flowers, various snowfields, 26 glaciers, cold breezes from the glaciers, and the sound of running water from streams and waterfalls create an ambiance hard to surpass. Mount Rainier provides a getaway for not only experienced hikers but families and people of all ages and climbing/camping expertise.

What are Your Favorite Places to Stay at Mount Rainier?

2005-07-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

I thought that it would be nice to rate all of the campgrounds within Mount Rainier National Park. Let's rate 1 to 5 using trees, because lets face it camping in a forest is the best. 5 trees is excellent, 1 tree is very poor.

My Favorite Mount Rainier Campground
While camping at Mount Rainier my favorite campsite is Ohanapecosh, it is located just outside of Stevens Canyon Entrance on the South East side of the Mt. Rainier. I love the fact that all of the campsites are in the forest, it is located next to the Ohanapecosh river, there are hikes provided by the park rangers, as well as evening shows put on by the park rangers. It has bathrooms with running water, but no showers. Some people think showers are a must so my rating on this campground is just shy of perfect.

I give this campground 4 and 1/2 trees.

What are the Best Hiking Areas on Mt. Rainier?

2005-06-29T16:05:00.002-07:00

Summating Mount Rainier is most certainly for the most experienced of hikers, but for those of us who are less experienced or want a beautiful day hike while at Mt. Rainier Pinnacle Peak is the hike to go on. This hike is two and a half miles the elevation gain is 1050 feet and takes about two hours. If it is a clear day out, the views are simply amazing. You can see a close up or Mount Rainier and Paradise to the North and Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens to the South. This hike can be a little strenuous, if bringing children, it would be best if they were about eight years or older or in great shape and love to hike.

Because of the views I give this hike a rating of four trees.

For more information on trails in Mount Rainier's National Park please visit http://www.nps.gov/mora/trail/trail_pages.htm

Where Else Do You Go When Visiting Mount Rainier?

2005-06-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

If your at Mount Rainier and have an extra day stop by Mount St. Helens.

I went here with my father after being at Mount Rainier's National Park for five days. This was one of the neatest hikes I have ever been on. This trail is located on the south side of the mountain. You can go to the ranger station and rent a lamp and go on a guided tour with a ranger or you can head out on your own. Any age hiker can go on this hike, it isn't very strenuous, just interesting what a volcano can create.

I give this hike three and a half trees.