Washington Ski Touring Club

Frequently Asked Questions about Nordic Patrol

One of our goals this season is to involve more ski club members in patrolling at Mt. Rainier. The following is a list of commonly asked questions about Nordic Patrol that come up each year.

What is the schedule for the Nordic Patrol season?
The season usually starts around Thanksgiving (Nov. 25) and ends the middle of April. We ski both days of every weekend during this period, and sometimes the weekdays between Christmas and New Years. Each day starts at 9 a.m. with a ride from Longmire to Paradise, and we ski from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where do we patrol at Mt. Rainier We mainly patrol trails between Narada Falls and Paradise but occasionally we ski around Longmire. These trails include Narada Falls to Canyon Wye, the Reflection Lakes Road, the Nisqually Vista Loop, Alta Vista to Panorama Point, Inspiration Saddle, and Fourth Crossing up to Mazama Ridge. When avalanche conditions are severe at Paradise, we may also ski trails around the Longmire area. How good of a skier do I need to be? Patrol is a fun excuse to ski or snowshoe in Paradise. You don’t need to know the mountain, just be able to stand up and road ski or navigate average terrain. There is a variety of trails that will match all skill levels and gear. You will always be paired with someone who knows the route you’ll be on, and not have to go alone.

What exactly is it we do?
Our main job is to give the Rangers an early snow report so they can tell the guests where to ski or what to avoid. We look for signs of avalanche, ie, piles on the trails, and report in with the radios provided us. We are the eyes and ears in a public service effort to help the park guests who may be lost or hungry. And, averaging about once a year, we are needed to help the rangers with that rescue that makes a difference for someone. (This is optional, depending on individuals’ skill).

What are the lodging accommodations like?
The Park gives us a 4x4 truck to drive up and down the mountain, carrying gear and folks, and a great furnished cabin at Longmire with 3 or 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Our kitchen is fully stocked by WSTC kitchen accoutrements needed for those exotic meals we share with each other. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag, bath towel; and food for two breakfasts, two lunches, and a potluck dinner.

How does a normal weekend go? Folks can usually arrive on Friday evening; get to know each other, and plan the next day’s mission. We most often have a snack or desert, thinking that everyone has eaten dinner already, but you can bring whatever you need. It’s good to have abundant snacks! Breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday are on your own, and we have a planned shared dinner on Saturday. There are often plenty of leftovers for munching on Sunday when we get back, before we leave for home. Each Sunday, while we are snacking, we do a thorough cleaning of the cabin so that the next weekend’s folks will have a great time as well. Then it’s that sad time of heading home….around 6 or 7 pm. If you need to get on the road before then, you can pick a cleaning chore and do it earlier to save yourself some time. What are the benefits for volunteering at Mt. Rainier? Patrolling allows you to help out the Park Service, meet other club members, sharpen your skills in a relatively safe environment, and become familiar with the Paradise area trails. In return the Park Service provides free lodging, rides between Longmire and Paradise, and free entry into the Park.

How is this different from other ski club trips?
Patrolling is a volunteer service that becomes a duty when you sign-up for a weekend. We expect you to make a serious commitment to ski the weekend you sign up. Patrolling is an enjoyable experience, but we are not skiing independently or merely for our own pleasure. Our role is to assist the Park Service where needed and to interact with the public.

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