+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Mount Rainier      |   | Tahoma Woods,     |
|                           | National Park      |   | Star Route        |
| U.S. Department of the    |                    |   |                   |
| Interior                  | Superintendent's   |   | Ashford, WA       |
|                           | Office             |   | 98304-9751        |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2211,     |
|                           |                    |   | x2301 phone       |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2169 fax  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Mount Rainier National Park** News Release

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  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

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October 10, 2006

For Immediate Release

Dave Uberuaga, 360-569-2211, ext. 2300

Kim Gagliolo, 510-817-1368

Selection of New Guide Service Concessions for Mount Rainier National
Park Announced

Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis announced today that final
selection has been made for three commercially guided mountaineering and
winter services Concession Contracts to operate within Mount Rainier
National Park. The required and authorized services include guided
summit climbs (both summer and winter), mountaineering day schools,
multi-day alpine training courses, guided winter day use activities and
guided winter overnight trips of varying lengths.

This announcement is the culmination of a process that began in 2002
with the development of a Commercial Services Plan (CSP) for the park.
The Commercial Services Plan outlined the future for guided activities
within the park. Public input on the CSP indicated a desire for more
choices regarding guided mountaineering on the mountain.

Traditionally, one concessioner has guided the majority of summit
attempts on Mount Rainier. The final CSP decision allowed for three
Concession Contracts for guided mountaineering services on the mountain.
One contract authorized 50% of commercial use on the Muir Route
(Prospectus A) and two contracts authorized 25% each of commercial use
on the Muir Route (Prospectus B). All other routes and guided activities
are shared equally among the three concessions. This decision was
intended to expand visitor's choices with respect to guided climbing
opportunities, encourage variety and innovation in the types of services
provided and to foster competition among the three concessioners.

In order to further implement these goals, the National Park Service
also determined that each of the three guided climbing Concessions
Contracts should be awarded to different entities.

Proposals were evaluated following guidelines of current concession law.
As a result of those evaluations the larger Concession Contract was
awarded to Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (MORA001), and the two smaller
contracts awarded to Alpine Ascents International (MORA005) and
International Mountain Guides (MORA006).

These contracts will be effective for a 10-year period beginning on or
about October 15, 2006.

-NPS-