Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 8, 2012, 10:57 am
For your morning viewing, the NPS provides Webcams for selected NP's around the country. All I can say is simply Thank you very much National Park Service
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 5, 2012, 10:47 pm
Apparently gun advocates can't seem to understand people making the point about the killing of a NPS ranger in Mt. Rainier NP this last January 1st. The argument that some have put forth the thought returning to the Reagan era rules about guns in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges would not have pr...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 17, 2012, 11:07 pm
With recent closure for a search and rescue and the forecast for a week of snow, possibly accumulating 2-3 feet or more at Paradise and less to the lower elevations on top of the current new foot or so of snow at Paradise, it's likely the road to Paradise in Mt. Rainier NP will be closed until next ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 16, 2012, 3:09 pm
Sorry I didn't think of this earlier. I updated the blog design with a block of links, "Websites of interest", which go directly to those Websites for relevant or important information about Mt. Rainier NP. Sometimes, small ideas take awhile to find the right synapse to trigger an "Aha!" moment in t...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 16, 2012, 1:56 pm
Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Not a new thought by far, especially for me these recent years, but while I've been working to keep the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide current and worked on the infamous todo list and the 2012 plans, I've had to reschedule the planned work, some of it a bit overdue...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 4, 2012, 8:55 am
It's time we stood up for the rights of the National Park Service rangers who do the work in our NP's to provide the best and safest experience for all visitors. And those right include not only the right to a safe and secure visit, but more so the rights of the rangers to also work in a safe and se...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 3, 2012, 6:25 pm
The NPS is reporting the NP will be closed through Friday and reopen Saturday morning as usual. You can get the latest news from the NP's Twitter feed. Let's hope for the best for everyone and express our condolences to Margaret Anderson's family, the staff at the NP and to all NPS employees. We ar...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 2, 2012, 9:35 pm
Update.--I have compiled a list of 54 Web pages with about 75 broken links. As noted they will be fixed with new links or removed if none is found. There are still broken links on the blogs (blogger.com), but likely they'll remain broken unless they're a popular read post. More news as this work pro...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 2, 2012, 7:40 pm
Reading the news stories about the gunman who killed the NPS ranger who blocked the road to Paradise and was shot before she could exit the vehicle, the gunman then engaged law enforcement officers for an hour before escaping into the forest and the darkens. This whole incident points to why guns sh...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 2, 2012, 9:44 am
Mt. Rainier NP is closed until further notice. The fatal shooting of a NPS law enforcement officer, news releases, and the search for the gunman will resume today (Monday January 2nd) in the area between Longmire and Paradise. The NPS is reporting all visitors at Longmire have been evacuated and al...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 1, 2012, 11:17 pm
I've written more than a few times that the law allowing people to legally carry guns in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, unless reasons exist where it's for the protecion of visitors (eg. Alaska and Florida Everglades) and then with a permit or a guide with a gun, should be repealed. But even ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 1, 2012, 10:00 am
I've updated the Mt. Rainier photo guide with the plans for 2012 and beyond. There is still another 2-3 years of work which orginally started in 2006 but didn't get momentum until 2008. The plans, found here, are divided into routine and current work and current and new projects. As you can see, it...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Oct 12, 2011, 8:22 pm
I've used National Geographic's TOPO! software for Washington for several years now, even buying new version when they decide to create new versions instead of simple developing upgrades or updates. And now they have said the current version is not compatible with Apple's OS-X 10.7 (Lion) and just n...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Oct 10, 2011, 3:31 pm
I have to apologize to all the visitors of this blog and my Mt. Rainier photo guide. I've been on a free fall mental vacation for much of this year and especially since August, barely keeping anything updated and especially not the monthly guides and maps. At this point in time, the September update...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Sep 20, 2011, 10:27 pm
... leaving me more a less a walking couch potato, except I don't watch much TV. In short, the energy and enthusiasm has waned like a quarter moon becomes a new moon, and whatever is left has vanished. Simply vanished. Everything will return sometime. When I don't know. All the effort to help isn'...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Sep 14, 2011, 9:41 am
I would like a little soup in my valley please. The view this morning looking southeast from the visitors area at Paradise in Mt. Rainier NP. And when the sun came up.
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Aug 31, 2011, 5:37 pm
The NPS at Mt. Rainier NP now has a Mt. Rainier NP Twitter account. It seems to be updated in a timely manner, or what I've seen so far. So you can take this with you. I also have my own WSR Photo Twitter account, but I can't promise it's updated timely or often. You're better off just going t...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Aug 31, 2011, 4:52 pm
Webcam photo from Camp Muir (8/31/11) Ok, a lot late, but the August reports are on-line at the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide, but they'll be replaced soon with the September reports at the same place. The news for August is two words, snow and wildflowers. First, the snow. The snowpack was u...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Aug 10, 2011, 9:06 pm
Update.--The NPS reported they arrested two suspects in the string of car break-ins, see news article using a sting operation Sunday August 23rd. Original post.--This from the NPS in Mt. Rainier NP: Over the past 2 weeks, the park has experienced nearly 10 car break-ins at trailheads and p...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jul 23, 2011, 7:11 pm
Well, yes, late, very late for July, but the news and access and conditions Web pages along with the monthly report are on-line on the photo guide. All the roads, facilities and campgrounds are open for the summer. So, what's the news for July? Well, two things. First, snow, lots and lots of it stil...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jun 22, 2011, 7:42 pm
This post is present some recent changes and news about Mt. Rainier NP or access to the NP from the surrounding highways. Since the snowpack was unusually higher and the snowmelt unusually later than normal, snow is the biggest issue about the NP and getting there. So, the news. First, the NPS begin...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jun 15, 2011, 12:58 pm
Update.--June 22, 2011, Firefox has released version 5 but my test show the problem with some extentions and add-ons still persist. I've discovered that some extensions with Firefox (FF) 4.0.1 has problems with both javascript and shockwave player, javascript not working with the maps where the page...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jun 14, 2011, 8:06 pm
Well, sorry for being so late, as I was in May and several months before, but that's life sometimes - and the perfunctory excuse I've used and still works, for me at least, is that the health issues continue and after spending the month of May with the H1N1 flu, I'm still not up to par. Anyway, the ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jun 1, 2011, 2:02 pm
The National Park Service has some terrific maps of Mt. Rainier NP, and while some of them are easily available on their Website, see Web page of map resources, some of them are not so readily apparent and take time to find where the respective Web pages are buried in the NP Website. You can use the...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 20, 2011, 5:55 pm
This photo was taken by the NPS of the White River entrance May 18th. They are expecting to open the White River entrance the week of May 23rd before the Memorial Day holiday. The White River campground, however, may take longer as they have to clear the snow, inspect and repair any facilities and g...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 18, 2011, 9:38 pm
This is more a personal advisory but will likely be a public one later as the snow melts in June. Last year a visitor was hurt when a snowbridge over the power transformer south of the road across from the new visitors center collapsed and she had to be airlifted to a hospital. The NPS staff hadn't ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 13, 2011, 1:28 pm
Well, all the Web pages using Google maps to display information about Mt. Rainier NP are updated with the NP boundary identified as a blue line. The boundary incorporates the original 1899 designation, the 1933, 1987 and 2003 additions, the last being the small exclave of land outside the Carbon Ri...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 9, 2011, 6:07 pm
It seems the snow just keeps on coming, or falling, this year in Mt. Rainier NP. Above is the snow water equivalent (SWE) for May 9th, 2011 (link goes to NRCS Web page for the SWE for the site), and as you can see even in early May when snowmelt normally starts, it's just keep adding to the snowpack...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 3, 2011, 6:32 pm
This reported from the NPS: "As of tonight, the road between Longmire and Paradise will be kept open at night, unless there is imminent foul weather that causes poor driving conditions. All hikers, climbers, and employees needing overnight parking need to be directed to the lower lot only. The overn...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - May 2, 2011, 10:49 pm
The latest news, access and conditions, and monthly report are now available and you can find more at the photo guide for the NP. May is a strange month because the weather can be very dynamic from cool and cold to warm, with a variety of clear, cloudy, rain and yes snow at the upper elevations, esp...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 29, 2011, 10:18 am
Update.-- I have also added the approximately 800 acres added to the NP in 2003, but as I understand or can find information, hasn't been completed pending funds and legal issues, just outside the Carbon River entrance in the northwest quadrant of the NP. This is an exclave surrounded by private tim...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 27, 2011, 11:25 pm
We all argue how stupid they are, or most before the recent one where a lot of good and some bad bills passed Congress and signed by the President. That's not what I want to present here, but a lame duck session in 1891. In those years the Congress didn't begin their two-year session of Congress unt...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 27, 2011, 3:24 pm
Well, I finally got the NP boundary onto Google maps (it's on the terrain version in some areas of the NP). It's currently on the access Web page. But in reviewing that Web page I discovered some problems with the locations of the markers. I have updated them on this Web page but in doing so realize...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 25, 2011, 12:36 pm
Paradise this morning Yeah, I know, lots of promises to be here and on the Website soon. And in reality, most will be there by the end of this week for May 1st when pretty much everything changes in the operations of Mt. Rainier NP. May is the start of spring, and in spite of the still late winter-l...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 17, 2011, 9:59 pm
Like the snow at Paradise, about 17 feet (4/17/11), I've been inundated with other things this years, chief among them health issues - yeah, it sucks getting old but that's another story for elsewhere, and I haven't had time to get the monthly updates, news and reports out on the first of the month ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 16, 2011, 5:42 pm
Several problems have been found with the Web pages for the Washington Department of Natural Resources book on the geology of Mt. Rainier National Park, found here. I think all of the problems have been resolved on my end, but there seems to be problems with the State's Website so you can use the al...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 8, 2011, 6:41 pm
Update.--Apparently there won't be a shudown, yet anyway. So the NP should be open as usual this weekend. The two future fights in Congress will be raising the debt ceiling and the 2012 budget, but the first doesn't effect the government operation and the second will only if they can't get one by Oc...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 7, 2011, 4:49 pm
Update III (4/26/11).-- Well, I have the NP boundary on the Google maps now, both the original one in 1899 and the latest, revised in the 1920's for the additional lands. I will be adding them to the individual maps over time as it's a cut and paste block of code starting with the updated maps and t...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Apr 1, 2011, 5:01 pm
I found a problem with the USGS maps in PDF for Mt. Rainier NP, at this Web page. Apple changed the structure of public folder on the me accounts (iDisk) where you can't go directly to an individual file but must go through the folders. That sucks, so I moved all the maps to my Website where they wi...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Mar 29, 2011, 11:11 pm
The NPS is closing the road between Longmire and Paradise some days now due to the risk of avalanches along the road in places noted on the map (above), mostly the road west of Christine Falls at the hairpin turn to Christine Falls and the road from the Nisqually Bridge to Ricksecker Point, both whe...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Mar 22, 2011, 4:48 pm
I like searching and finding, and often buying, old publications, eg. documents, reports, books, maps, pamphlets, etc., on Mt. Rainier NP. I love finding good or better original print publications, and I now have a small collecton of them for my work and research on the early years (1890-1915) befor...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Mar 19, 2011, 1:34 pm
The NPS is reporting that highway 123, currently closed at mile post 0.4 from the highway 12 intersection just before the Summit Creek Bridge, has 11 trees (12" to 30" diameter) over the highway along the length of it to the NP boundary and in the NP. The highway currently has over 12" at the inters...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Mar 18, 2011, 7:51 pm
The March reports for the news, access and conditions, and prospects has been on-line (from earlier this week). I apologize for being late, too much other things in life getting and keeping my attention. Life is like that whether we like it, plan for it or even want it. It happens. That said, March ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 11, 2011, 4:38 pm
From the NPS about the final decision for the Carbon River Road. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2011 National Park Service Announces Decision on Access to the Carbon River Area Karen Thompson, Environmental Specialist, 360-569-2211 x3376 Chris Lehnertz, Pacific West Region Director, National Par...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 11, 2011, 4:22 pm
I've added two Web pages on snowmobiles, with a map of the roads and areas. Snowmobiles are permitted in three of the four quadrants of the NP, the northeast from the northern boundary to the White River Campground, the southeast on highway 706 from the junction with highway 123 to the Box Canyon tu...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 11, 2011, 3:30 pm
Ok, the February reports are now available, see photo guide for the news, access and conditions and the latest monthly report, see complete list. February is a continuation of January, only with more snow, about 8' at Paradise (about 10% below normal for this season). Most of snow now is above 3,00...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 11, 2011, 10:24 am
This was reported by the Tacoma News Tribune. "Folks who are planning to travel to the Carbon River corner of Mount Rainier National Park should be aware of a road closure next week. Fairfax Forest Reserve Road East that leads to the Carbon River entrance will be closed to through traffic for two da...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Feb 5, 2011, 11:35 am
Yeah, I'm late again. Like the winter news changes from January to February enough to warrant immediate updates? Well, not really but some small news and stuff. I'm working on the news, access and condition Web pages for February, and I'll be adding a snowmobiles Web page with a description and map....
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 29, 2011, 10:28 am
Every morning in the winter a NPS worker drives the road from Longmire to Paradise (no one lives at Paradise in the winter). From there NPS workers plow the parking lot and the road to Longmore. Someone at Longmire plows the road up the hill from there to Paradise. And once done, they open the gate ...
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Scott K. posted an article on WSR Mt Rainier NP - Jan 13, 2011, 1:12 pm
I have added four NPS weather sites to the weather map Web page. These are the Carbon River Ranger Station, the White River Ranger Station, the Paradise Visitors Center station (above the center off the Glacier Vista trail, and the Sunrise Ranger Station. This last site is a seasonal station, operat...
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