Mount Rainier National Park officially closed

[flamingyouth]

Limited access allowed only on weekends

ASHFORD -- On the south side of Mount Rainier, Rampart Ridge curves high above National Park Inn. Most winters, the valley is filled with the roar of snowplows, the droning of cars and the coming and goings of guests and day visitors.

This winter, the park is closed. The road is empty. So are the chairs at the inn.

"It's as pristine as it gets," said Mike Gauthier, the park's head climbing ranger. "I went to Camp Muir a month ago, and I felt very much like I was on a remote mountain -- like I was in Alaska. It was just me and one my friends.

"That is not the normal Rainier feeling."

November delivered the most damaging storm in the national park's 108-year history. During one hellacious 36-hour span, 18 inches of rain fell -- taking out roads, bridges and campgrounds. The current damage estimate is $36 million, and that's only a starting point. The staff is waiting for the snow to melt to find out what else will need to be repaired or replaced.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/299079_rainier10.html

[maxsolomon]

1. we need that 36 million to throw down a hole in iraq

so F you, Mt. Rainier.