Jan 11, 2026 Patrol report

[Public Relations Webmaster]

From Martell via the web account-

Sunday:

The road opened to the public at 9 am. Conditions were drizzly and just above freezing both at Narada and Paradise. We split into 3 teams. Nordic 1 (Suzanna, Igor, Jen) set poles starting at Paradise, going down Devils Dip towards Canyon Wye. Nordic 2 (Deb, Heli, Laura) set poles starting at Canyon Wye, going up Devils Dip, and met Nordic 1 in the middle. Nordic 3 (Martell, Julia, Lita) placed sign #7 on the road around Inspiration Point and moved some other signs to match the sign map (see these slides). 

The sign that goes at the top of Inspiration Saddle (#11) still needs to be placed up top there. It is currently stored behind the sign (#8) that points to the trail departing from the road on the final climb up to Inspiration Saddle from Canyon Wye (See photo). 

All teams convened at Paradise, where we split into three different groups. One went to reset poles at the Myrtle Falls bridge by Edith Basin and clear off the lip of the bridge, and set some guiding poles (see photo). Another did PSAR by the parking lots. A third team went to try to place a "Danger" sign by a spot where people have fallen into another creek in the past on the way up to the base of Pan Point. The team could not locate the exact spot, so those up there next week should check in with Ed or Ash about getting that Danger sign out. 

Other important notes:

- Heads up, the SUV does not have winter tires on it

- Both vehicles still need ice scrapers in them

- Need more bathroom cleaner for the house

- We didn't put gas in vehicles, so the patrol next week will likely have to fill them

- Can we get a new lockbox for the house keys? It's pretty hard to use and feels like it's getting rusty and not working correctly. 

Thanks to Suzanna for letting me do my second mock lead!

[Van Der Elst, Daniel E]

Thanks for the productive weekend!

Ed or the next lead, when you get a chance can you confirm that the Expedition has tire chains? I'm not terribly concerned about getting winter tires on it as long as the folks driving it understand that they'll need to be conservative and chain up early, especially if the road starts developing overnight frosts. 

The Danger sign should go within 50 feet or so of 46.79683 -121.73535, near but not directly in the low point (so it doesn't fall into the creek during melt-out). The hole itself is further down toward Edith Creek but we want the sign at the top of the gully before people go too far downhill.

Ed, we bought some dry lock lubricant last season but I'm not sure where it is. If you can't find it, I'll look for a spare lock box.

Susanna - are ice scrapers something the patrol can pick up using your funds? It will be quicker than going through federal procurement.

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Sent: Monday, January 12, 2026 9:15 AM
To: nordicpa...@googlegroups.com <nordicpa...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [patrol-leads] Jan 11, 2026 Patrol report

 

 

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[Tom Hobbs]

Hi Dan,

I'm the lead for the coming weekend and will check on these items.

Let me know if anything else is needed.

Thanks,

Tom

Tom

425-766-5135

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From: 'Van Der Elst, Daniel E' via Mt Rainier Nordic Patrol Leads <nordicpa...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 12:06:51 PM
To: Dershem, Edward A <Edward_...@nps.gov>; Suzanna Pratt <nordicpatr...@gmail.com>; nordicpa...@googlegroups.com <nordicpa...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] [patrol-leads] Jan 11, 2026 Patrol report

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nordicpatrolleads/PH7PR09MB120994185835E69D229CC41A1978EA%40PH7PR09MB12099.namprd09.prod.outlook.com.

[Tom Hobbs]

Dan and Ed,

I checked both vehicles and washing our patrol vests.

-  The truck tire size is LT 265/70R17 and that size is not listed on the tire chains in that vehicle's bed box. See photo (5524) of tire chain container

- The Expedition tire size is 275/65R17 and that size is not listed on the tire chain container inside the vehicle. See photo (5527) of that container.

Let me know next steps.

Thank you,

Tom

425-766-5135

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From: 'Van Der Elst, Daniel E' via Mt Rainier Nordic Patrol Leads <nordicpa...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 12:06:51 PM
To: Dershem, Edward A <Edward_...@nps.gov>; Suzanna Pratt <nordicpatr...@gmail.com>; nordicpa...@googlegroups.com <nordicpa...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] [patrol-leads] Jan 11, 2026 Patrol report

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nordicpatrolleads/PH7PR09MB120994185835E69D229CC41A1978EA%40PH7PR09MB12099.namprd09.prod.outlook.com.