New Record for Mt. Rainier?

I wonder how Randy would feel if he flew all the way to Africa and found that Kilimanjaro was closed because the land manager decided not to open the gates.

I wonder how Randy would feel if he flew all the way to Africa and found that Kilimanjaro was closed because the land manager decided not to open the gates.

That's too funny -- given the rants on this thread about RMI's "unfair" access during road closure -- 'cause to climb Kilimanjaro you are required to hire a guide -- unguided climbing is not permitted at all.

That's too funny -- given the rants on this thread about RMI's "unfair" access during road closure -- 'cause to climb Kilimanjaro you are required to hire a guide -- unguided climbing is not permitted at all. 

You are required to pay locals for guide and porter services, at least when I was there in 1989. Armed guards, too, for the lower parts. But they don't cost $3000 per person and the arrangement is transparent; everyone knows this is how it works and the guide services are not secretly allowed access when the park is officially closed.

And you don't have to climb with the guides, just pay them. Unless Messner was short-roped up the Breach Wall by a local guide in '79.

But to get back on topic, the gate at Longmire is closed again today. Is that 8 out of the last 9 days now?

It is 8 out of 9. And it is a beautiful day for all to enjoy our closed National Park via webcam-

Now they're just rubbing it in. From the official "visit Rainier" Facebook page (found via a sponsored link, btw), posted Monday evening: "Paradise has had 524 inches of snowfall compared to 412 last year. And as of today, there is 180 inches of snow on the ground, compared to 165 inches last year on this date. Another 4-8 inches of powder expected tonight!"

Are you being denied access, or just not provided plowed access?