How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in joining Mt. Rainier Nordic Patrol!

Applications for the 2025-2026 season are now open. Please submit your application by May 30, 2025. We will contact applicants with decisions by August 2025.

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Winter backcountry experience 

• Availability for 2025 training dates 

  • Online: October 8, 15, 22, & 29th from 7 pm - 8 pm 

  • In person at Longmire in Mount Rainier National Park: November 8,  2025, 9 am - 4:30 pm & November 9,  2025,  8:00 am - 4:00 pm. 

• Ability to maintain current training: 

  • Incident Command: IS-00100.c and IS-00700.b FEMA courses. Applicants may complete these courses after joining the patrol.

  • First Aid: Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, Wilderness EMT, EMT, Paramedic. Licenses doctors and nurses are eligible at the patrol director's discretion. Applicants must provide current certifications or proof of enrollment in a future course. 

  • CPR: Adult CPR/AED. Courses must have an in-person component. Patrollers with OEC certifications must have a Pro-Rescuer CPR certification. Applicants must provide current certifications or proof of enrollment in a future course. 

  • Avalanche: American Avalanche Association (A3) certified level 1 (e.g., NSP Avy 1 or AIARE 1) or higher avalanche safety class. Patrollers are also required to take a refresher course within the previous 5 years. Qualifying avalanche refresher courses must include 6-8 hrs of in-field training. Accepted refresher courses include: NSP Refresher (L1M3 or L1M4), or any of the following A3 certified courses: Avalanche Rescue Course (e.g., AIARE one-day Avalanche Rescue Course), Level 1 Avalanche Training, Level 2 Avalanche Training, Professional Avalanche Training 1, Professional Avalanche Training 2, or Professional Avalanche Search and Rescue (Pro AvSAR). Applicants must provide current certifications or proof of enrollment in a future course.

 A full position description for Nordic Patrol volunteers can be found here.