Books on Mt. Rainier NP

I've updated the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide with a page for books on Mt. Rainier NP I've collected over the years which I use to write the other Web pages. Most of the books are available from local or on-line bookstores. In addition I've added some personal notes about some I've found useful, interesting or simply "the" book you should have you want or need that information about Mt. Rainier NP.

I hope you find it useful and you can always send me e-mail with suggestions, questions or problems.

Sun and Moon Information

I've updated the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide with information about the Sun and Moon, see introduction Web page, on the rise, set, azimuth, and altitude so you can know when are the best times to photograph in the NP, namely near and after sunrise, before and near sunset, and full moons. The Web pages has specific information and links to Websites to calculate your own tables.

I've posted the first three months of information so you can get an idea of what available before visiting the Website. In addition some GPS units, such as Garmin's,. have built-in software to calculate sunrise and sunset, but not the full suite of sun position or moon information. Or at least those that I've researched so far. But if you find any or know of any, please let me know to post the information to the Web page.

So, that's it for now. More to come as indicated on the photo guide as "forthcoming" or "under construction."

MPG V2.1

Click on photo for Photo Guide

I've update the guide adding two Web pages. The first is a Seasonal Conditions Web page. This page is for general information for each month, currently for June 2008. It's not meant to be specifically or completely accurate or complete, but for something the news and information the news and information won't or doesn't normally provide.

For June, it's about the snowpack and snowmelt, the annual problem of bugs on the trails and the wildflower season, we have lots of the first and none of the second and third yet. This is because the bugs and wildflowers needs the snowpack to be gone, with the exceptions for some flowers which can grow through snow. Bugs can't begin life until the ponds are clear of snow, the ice melts and the temperatures warm. And the same works for wildflowers and the sun comes out a lot more.

With the current snowpack, it's a fair bet we'll have lots of both for longer into the summer this year because the snowmelt will be later, so everything that follows will be later and maybe longer into the summer. So be prepared after July 4th for bugs and flowers, both of which may last into late August or early September or the first good night freeze.

The second is an explanation of the information on the Web page. I added this Web page to explain that all of the references, books and Web pages on the Web pages in the guide have been researched and reviewed, and do not violate any copyright laws. The information is either in the public domain or considered public information, only the individual writer's or photographer's work is copyrighted which is only linked on the Guide's Web pages to ensure the owner's rights are kept.

In addition I want to explain all of the references to books, publishers or book sellers are provided without any affiliation or compensation to me by anyone. I provide the links for free because not only do I have copies of all the books I reference, I feel they're important to add to your information about the NP and any work you plan in the NP.

Update

It's been two weeks since the last update. So, is anything new?

Well, you can see from the photo (above, adjusted) from the NPS Webcam, which has a problem producing under exposed images (it's been reported and they're looking into it), there still is a lot of snow at Paradise, but the road is open all the time. Parking isn't so hot as the snow and construction limits availability, but the Inn at Paradise is open (see news).

Other than that, there's not much to report let alone update. It's the short, intermediate season between initial and near complete snowmelt, see Snotel Data. The lower elevation roads and trails are open, but snow is still on the ground at and above the 3,000 foot elevation. So be prepared for snow if you want longer or higher elevation hikes.

I've haven't updated the Website for the photography guides since mid-May because life choose different things to do and I've been researching the next set of Web pages, finding books, Websites, and other information for new Web pages. I'm neither a climber or a biologist, so adding Web pages for these subjects takes more time. And I'm learning more about Google maps.

Well, that's it for now. I'm scheduling some hiking and photo trips, so I don't know when this blog or the Photo Guide will be updated. It's a busy summer and we have to pack a lot in between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but you're always welcome to send e-mail with your suggestions, questions or whatever else you want to say.

MPG V2.0

Click on photo for Photo Guide

From some suggestions by other photographers, I've updated My Photo Guide (MPG) to Mt. Rainier National Park with version 2.0 which will set the level I can work update and upgrade. I still have some more cosmetic changes for consistency, but they're transparent to everyone. I've removed all the unnecessary photos, using a standard one except for two others, until I can get more images scanned or taken.

In additon, I have a list of things do work on, which are the list of day hikes (haven't decided if by region or catagory), a climbers Web page (just the basics since I'm not a climber and there are far better pages), a naturalist Web page to describe the flora and fauna, a wildflower Web page, a sunrise/sunset Web page, a better map for the quadrants and Paradise overview and sections, and some visual enchancements for the imagemaps.

So far, and photo/trail descriptions with photos, which takes being there hiking and photographing. I have to keep remembering it's a long task for this photo guide, about 3-5 years to get something substantial for just the thought of a book. And don't forget, you can send your suggestions, questions or problems.