Mar 22, 2009: Celebrate Mt Rainier skiing 100 yrs

What a rare shot--telemark gear noted, but here's another surprising observation: the women out number the men! I'm inspired. A re-enactment sounds like fun, too. Keep me posted.

Here are more U.W. photos of the 1909 Roberts party:

content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/social&CISOPTR=504
content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/social&CISOPTR=505
content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/social&CISOPTR=503
content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/social&CISOPTR=507
content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/social&CISOPTR=508

The Leisure-Skiing (Ec) folder in the Social Issues collection contains other photos that are not available digitally.

If we wanted to do a re-enactment that a photographer and/or writer could take part in, I'd suggest a tour from the Paradise visitor center to Sluiskin Falls (or thereabouts). Sluiskin Falls was the high point of the Roberts party tours, according to the National Geographic article . If it was a nice day, the outing would be a skiing picnic. If it was a poor day--well--we'd have to play it by ear.

I wonder how hard it would be to dig up some old clothes and/or skis? Goodwill or Value Village?

Here's another very cool photo from that period. The description says "circa 1907," but it's hard to know if that's accurate:

content.lib.washington.edu/cgi-bin/viewe...=/barnes&CISOPTR=133

I agree a celebration/skier convocation would be a great idea and invite those adventure guys from Tacoma News Tribune ....

Tom Bonce of NPR would probably want ot cover an event like this; he showed up for Slushcup 2007 and did a good story.
I think I have my old wool knickers buried under a bunch of sweaters....

I am interested. Probably could interest my son in going too. I would try to make such an event but it might be tough going in the heat of baseball season, however.

I think an article in the news would be a gentle reminder to the park service and all citizens regarding the area's use and history of such use. Precedence is important, in my opinion, as to future use claims.

Alan

I have lots of old ski's w/bamboo poles. Would be fun to get out and play with them.