May 5th is rapidly approaching, and plans to reopen the park on the anniversary of Napoleon's death continue. The proposed theme involves a grand ceremony at 10 am (think dignitaries, ribbons, etc)... From 10 am to 12, the park entrance fee will be waived, so if you're a budget minded traveler, arrive early. It is anticipated that there will be a lot of action and people in the park that weekend, especially if the weather is nice.
Enthusiasm and excitement to be on the mountain continue to steadily brew in the region. Greg Johnston (Seattle PI) wrote a compelling article about his experiences ascending Mt Rainier. The story covers what it's like getting up and down this mountain and includes a photo gallery. In a separate piece, Greg talks with the three Rainier guide services about their new operations this summer and about the implications of competition on the mountain.
