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Friday, November 30th, 2007
Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 04:35:53 pm
With additional snow forecast for the Cascades this weekend, many roads in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will become increasingly hazardous or impassable, particularly at higher elevations.
Categories: Adventure Guys
Posted by Craig Hill @ 01:44:58 pm
Yes there is an Olympic National Park ornament too. Here's a look at the ornament painted by Jack Galloway, the park's landscape architect. We'll let you know when we get a pick from North Cascade N.P. Photos courtesy of Olympic National Park.  
Categories: Olympic National Park
Posted by Craig Hill @ 11:41:23 am
Add White Pass to the short list of Washington ski areas that will open tomorrow. The ski are has 24 inches of snow at the base. About 40 percent of the mountain will be open for skiing this weekend. The steep runs will be closed. White Pass will charge weekday rates ($38) instead of its regular weekend rate of $45. Crystal’s Saturday opening will also be limited to beginner and intermediate areas on the lower mountain. Mount Baker has been at full operation since Thursday. Stevens Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie are still waiting for more snow. Thanks to snowmaking equipment, Mission Ridge opened one lift Nov. 23. Stevens Pass is getting a little defensive about not being able to open this weekend. From its website: “The Stevens Pass philosophy is to open a season with the best quality experience for our guests rather than rushing to be one of the first to open.” I have to admit they have a strong point. If you’re a good skier, this isn’t really opening weekend because your favorite runs are likely closed. Thursday, November 29th, 2007
Posted by Craig Hill @ 02:37:19 pm
Crystal Mountain opens Saturday and Sunday but will close Monday
Categories: Skiing/Snowboarding
Posted by Craig Hill @ 01:53:14 pm
The theme for this year's White House Christmas tree is "Holiday in the National Parks." Mount Rainier National Park is being recognized with a handmade ornament. The tree is in the White House's blue room. There are 347 ornaments on the tree. To see one from each state, check out the White House website. Here are some photos of the ornament courtesy of MRNP. FRONT:  BACK:  Click below to read the announcement from Mount Rainier National Park and the Park Service.
Categories: Mount Rainier
Posted by Craig Hill @ 12:48:11 am
As promised in today's Adventure Click here to read the first 10. 11. When nature calls be kind to the environment. Dig a hole to bury your business. (Note: This doesn’t work on snow. The snow melts leaving hiker in deep poop the next summer.) Either wipe with something natural like moss, leaves or snow or pack out your toilet paper. 12. Buy a down sleeping bag and leather hiking boots instead of a bag and boots made of synthetics. 13.Print your maps at home and use one large sealable bag to keep them dry rather than laminating each map. 14.Buy a hybrid car or at least carpool and don’t over pack your ride with gear. Your car isn't as fuel efficient when it's overpacked with gear. Also consider public transportation if you are doing day hike near town. 15. Boil your drinking water instead of chemically treating it. 16. Borrow or rent gear rather then buying new. 17. Ride your bike to the grocery store when shopping for your trip. 18. Stay in a tent rather than a cabin or hotel. 19. Don’t wash your car after your trip. 20. Be creative. I have a buddy that used his vasectomy sperm sample jar (he says he never used it that way) as a reusable mini peanut butter container. You likely have many things around your house that have multiple uses. Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Posted by Craig Hill @ 03:14:07 pm
It's snowing in the mountains and Crystal Mountain is tentatively planning a partial opening for Saturday. They'll make the call Friday. Until then, Mount Baker opens Thursday.
Categories: Skiing/Snowboarding
Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 09:32:06 am
Here's a preview of Thursday's Adventure section:
Categories: Adventure Guys
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007
Posted by Craig Hill @ 08:08:04 pm
Just got this notice from Mount Rainier National Park:
Categories: Mount Rainier
Posted by Craig Hill @ 02:50:51 pm
Mt. Baker opens Thursday for skiing and snowboarding. The Summit at Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain and White Pass are still waiting for more snow. All are anticipating storms Wednesday and Thursday.
Categories: Skiing/Snowboarding
Monday, November 26th, 2007
Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 02:42:12 pm
The Westside Road on the southwest side of Mount Rainier National Park has been closed effective this afternoon. The closure is necessary for park staff to repair flood damage at Milepost 3.1 that occurred during the historic floods last November.
Categories: Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys
Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 10:46:00 am
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife will begin accepting applications Dec. 1 from individuals and groups seeking financial support for volunteer projects that benefit fish and wildlife.
Categories: Fishing, Adventure Guys
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
Posted by Craig Hill @ 10:09:46 am
The first Washington ski area to open this season will be Mission Ridge. Thanks to a massive snow-making facility installed in 2005, the Wenatchee ski area will open Chair 1 and its lessons area Friday. Don't get too excited, however. Chair 1 accesses green beginner runs. Snow-making efforts will now be turned to the Liberator Lift and advanced and intermediate terrain.
Categories: Skiing/Snowboarding
Posted by Craig Hill @ 09:40:25 am
Petzl has issued a recall on 8,000 caribiners because of potential fall risk. According to Petzl: "These carabiners have a green button that acts as a safety mechanism to prevent unlocking. The recalled carabiners can unlock unexpectedly without pressing the green button, posing a fall hazard."
Categories: Mountaineering
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 03:43:13 pm
A section of Highway 123 within Mount Rainier National Park will reopen at noon Wednesday, in time for the holiday weekend.
Categories: Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys
Posted by Craig Hill @ 12:37:19 pm
I got a cool gift for father’s day from my wife and kids. A
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Good news for skiers and snowboarders at White Pass. The little ski area that has been trying to expand since the '80s was recently approved 767 acres for expansion.
Here's the announcement from the National Forest Service:
The next step in expanding the White Pass Ski Area occurred on Thursday when Becki Lockett Heath, Supervisor of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, signed an amendment to the White Pass Ski Area Permit to include an additional 767 acres for the expansion.
Analyzed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision issued in June 2007, the expansion includes two new ski lifts, 18 new ski trails, a mid-mountain lodge in the Hogback Basin west of the existing ski area, plus some new or modified features within the existing area.
As snow dumps on Mount Rainier, the park is switching to its winter
operation schedule. The park advises visitors to use the Nisqually Entrance during the winter season. The road above Longmire closes about 4:30 p.m.to uphill traffic and closes both directions by 6 p.m.
ROADS CLOSING DEC. 1
Highway 123 (South Park boundary to Cayuse Pass)
Highway 410 and Chinook Pass
Westside Road may close to vehicles at any time due to snow conditions. This road is generally closed to vehicles during the winter months.
ROADS ALREADY CLOSED
Carbon River Road
Stevens Canyon Road
Sunrise Road
White River Road
Mowich Lake Road
Starting Friday, anglers fishing parts of the Cispus and Tilton rivers will be able to keep up to six adult hatchery-reared coho salmon per day. The new limit was announced this afternoon by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife
Only hatchery coho measuring at least 12 inches that are marked with a clipped adipose fin may be kept. All wild coho with an intact adipose fin must be released.
The new daily limit for adult hatchery coho will be in effect on the Cispus River from the mouth upstream to the north fork, and on the Tilton River from the mouth to the west fork.
Tacoma's Jerry Lynch was a pioneer at Mount Rainier. It was Lynch who teamed with Lou Whittaker to incorporate the first climbing guide company on the mountain in 1969. He spent nearly 30 years working for Rainier Mountain Inc., which is still the largest guide service in the United States.
Lynch died Oct. 29 at the age of 76.
Click here to read more about Jerry Lynch.
And here are a few photos of Lynch courtesy of his oldest son, Chris.
A major snow dump at Whistler Blackcomb gave the resort a 43-inch base. The resort plans to open Saturday - four days early.
Washington ski areas are still waiting for their share of new snow. The forecast looks good for this weekend.
Highway 123 has been closed to the public until further notice due to a small rockslide event on the east side of Mount Rainier National Park. Park officials said this morning that the closure is in effect from the junction of Stevens Canyon Road to Cayuse Pass at the junction of Highway 410.
Park road crews are working with Washington State Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration officials to clear the debris and to determine the stability of the embankment above the slide.
Go ahead and wax your boards, but don't get too excited about the start of ski season.
Crystal Mountain is reporting 5 inches at the summit, but the Summit is snowless and it's raining right now at Stevens Pass. But there is good news:
- Mount Baker expects to get 30 inches Tuesday night and has its staff on 24-hour standby.
- Whistler Blackcomb was dumped with 80 centimeters (That's 31.5 inches for you Americans) of snow since Saturday night. The opening is set for Nov. 22, but a decision to open early could be made Wednesday said WB spokeswoman Tabetha Boot.
The body of a 77-year-old hunter was found near Randle this morning at 11:35 by Lewis County Search and Rescue.
His body was found about one mile from where he was last seen by his son, according to a statement released by the Lewis County Sheriff’s office.
Claire P. Heun was an experienced hunter from Lynnwood. He was last seen near Forest Road 78 about 6.6 miles from Highway 131.
Heun’s death is being investigated but foul play does not appear to be involved, according to the sheriff’s statement.
Packwood search and rescue and the Randle Fire Department were also involved in the search.
Early in "Playground," Warren Miller's new movie, a skier jumps over a highway. It's one of the sweetest stunts in the movie, but it has nothing on a jump pulled off by a local boarding legend.
Temple Cummins, who works at the University Place Northwest Snowboards (owned by his dad), pulled off one of the sickest jumps you'll ever see a few years back. Cummins cleared a moving train. Check out the video below
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME.
Photographer Russ Carmack hiked the Mount Pete trail in Enumclaw to illustrate our winter hiking guide and he came back with a ton of good photos.
Click here to check out his slide show from the 2-mile hike.
Olympic National Park superintendent Bill Laitner this afternoon announced his plans to retire Jan. 3, ending a 37-year career in federal service.
In a 34 years with the National Park Service, Laitner has worked at 10 parks, serving as superintdent in three. He has been superintendent at Olympic National Park since May 2003.
He also served three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army.
He began his career as a seasonal employee at the age of 21, working in Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Death Valley national parks. As a permanent employee, he worked at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina and again at Yellowstone. Laitner served as chief of education in at Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, Everglades
National Park in Florida and North Cascades National Park. He was superintendent at Amistad National Recreation along the Texas-Mexico border, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and at Olympic.
Skiers and snowboarders at Crystal Mountain will be treated to some fancier food options this season at the Summit House. In the past you'd have a hard time finding anything better than a slice of pizza, cup of chilli or bag of chips. Not that there's anything wrong with that. (Other than the gas.)
The new menu will have this traditional ski fare, but will also include items such as pesto crusted Alaskan halibut, pumpkin gnocchi and swiss style cheese fondue.
Check out a sample menu here.
Think of it as 185,000 square feet of outdoor shopping heaven.
The new Cabela's in Lacey is sure to be a hit with local outdoor enthusiasts, especially the hunting and fishing crowd. They have a whole section, and a very large section, devoted just to camo clothing.
The media got a sneak preview today and it is an impressive store.
Employees of the new store, with help from Cabela's employee elsewhere and contractors, were busy stocking shelves, checking in rifles, doing final work on the store itself and learning how to run cash registers and such.
The store is set to open Nov. 16. Store officials are expecting 10,000 to 15,000 people at the store that day.
We'll have more in our Nov. 15 Adventure section.
The latest Warren Miller film roles kicks off in Olympia on Thursday and Tacoma on Saturday.
Here are the details for checking out "Playground."
Read TNT Adventure on Thursday for more details on the movie.
Watch the trailer here.
Warrren Miller’s Playground
When: Saturday at 6 and 9 p.m. Sunday at 5 p.m.
Where: Pantages Theater
Tickets: $20.
Where to buy tickets: Puyallup’s Sturtevant’s, REI, Joe’s Sports, Ticketmaster and the Pantages box office. Buy online at broadwaycenter.org and ticketmaster.com
Swag: Free lift tickets to Crystal Mountain, White Pass, Sun Peaks, Big White, Silver Star and Apex. A two-for-one lift ticket at Whistler Blackcomb. Each ticket has limitations on when they can be used. Check warrenmiller.com for details. Other special offers include a subscription to Skiing magazine, and coupons for REI and Joe’s Sports.
More shows: Olympia’s Washington Center for the Performing Arts, tonight 8 p.m. and Friday 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Bremerton’s Admiral Theatre, Nov. 14-15 at 8 p.m.
CHECK OUT THE TRAILER BELOW:
The towers for the Northway Chairlift were flown into place yesterday and News Tribune photographer Peter Haley was at Crystal Mountain to document the work.
When the lift opens it will be the first new lift-serviced ski terrain in Western Washington in 20 years.
Check out Peter Haley's photo gallery documenting work on the lift here.
Read more about the lift here.
Read our extensive 2007-08 Snow Ride Guide here.
Lift tickets will be $58 this season.
The future of Mount Rainier National Park's Carbon River Road, washed out a year ago, will be determined over the next few months.
As the park decides the fate of the road that offers access to popular trails, it must work within the framework of the General Management Plan.
Click below to download excerpts from the GMP about the future of Carbon River Road.
Members of the Tacoma Astronomical Society are turning their telescopes toward Comet Holmes for three nights starting Friday, weather permitting.
The comet has caused a stir among astronomers since it exploded on Oct. 23.
Discovered on Nov. 6, 1892 by British astronomer Edwin Holmes, the comet can be seen in the northeast sky after sunset.
“Most people can recognize the constellation Cassiopeia (the big “W”) so use the second and third star in the “W” to point towards the horizon into the heart of Perseus. The comet is the fuzzy looking star to the left of the center of Perseus,” said TAS member Alice Few.
The comet is moving roughly parallel with the Earth and it’s tail is pointing away which is why it just looks like a fuzzy ball and not a typical comet with a tail, Few said.
Club members will be located behind the Sunrise Building at Pierce College, Fort Steilacoom campus, 7-9 p.m. Friday, 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday and 7-9 p.m. Sunday.
As part of the club’s public night event Saturday member Dave Armstrong will give a presentation on “Telescopes, Binoculars, & Great Gifts for Astronomers.”
For more information:
We admit it. We've got great jobs. How many people get told by their bosses to go out and play? We write about those experiences each Thursday in The News Tribune’s Adventure section. But there's always more to the story. Here, Craig Hill and Jeffrey P. Mayor will share the inside stories on their adventures - including their misadventures - plus post news and answer your questions.
CRAIG HILL
Craig Hill is The News Tribune’s injury-prone Adventure writer. After eight years covering college football and basketball, he started writing about adventure sports in 2004. He writes about everything from mountaineering and cycling to skiing and camping. You can reach him at craig.hill@thenewstribune.com
JEFFREY P. MAYOR
Jeffrey P. Mayor has been The News Tribune’s Adventure editor since 2003, and oversees our weekly Adventure section. His coverage focuses on fishing, hunting, Mount Rainier and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can reach him at jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
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