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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Out & about: 500 times up rainier… CdA River project…

Brent Okita, 55, has been a mountain guide for 30 years. (Photo courtesy of Rainier Mountaineering, Inc)

OUTSTANDING – On Tuesday, Brent Okita, a professional mountain guide from Enumclaw, became the second person to climb to the 14,410-foot summit of Mount Rainier 500 times, according to RMI Expeditions (RMI).

Not counting the times he had to turn back because of weather or other hazards, Okita, 55, logged more than 9 million vertical feet of elevation gain and loss over about 9,000 miles of hiking on Washington’s highest peak throughout his 30-year career to reach the 500 mark.

In 2010, George Dunn of International Mountain Guides based in Ashford became the first mountaineer to climb Rainier 500 times. He was 56 at the time and was still leading the two- or three-day endurance tests.

Dunn holds the record of 515 Rainier summits, a mark Okita could eclipse this season.

Okita has worked at RMI since 1986 as a professional climbing instructor and guide, leading teams of climbers on Rainier ascents.

“Brent is a mentor, leader, and above all an inspiration to all mountaineers,” said Peter Whittaker, owner of RMI.

“Even more amazing, Brent continues to climb at the pace of a 20-year-old guide and will likely climb Rainier another 20 times this summer…. His endurance and fitness are unmatched.”

Okita has also reached the summit of Mount Everest via the North Side and led more than two dozen RMI guided parties up 20,310-foot Denali in Alaska, the highest mountain in North America.

Other ascents to his credit include Vinson Massif in Antarctica, and several expeditions to the French Swiss, and Italian Alps, including Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Jungfrau.

“His 500 summits of Mount Rainier are a natural consequence of his tenure with RMI and dedication to the sport of mountaineering,” RMI said in a statement.

“With no thoughts of retirement, Brent plans to continue guiding climbers on Rainier and Denali for the foreseeable future.”

A devoted skier, Okita works with the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol during winter.

Conservation project set

in upper CdA River

OUTDO – Volunteers are needed June 25 for a group project to plant trees and shrubs in a Coeur d’Alene River watershed restoration project that will improve water quality for native cutthroat trout.

The project, which will focus on the Little North Fork Coeur d’Alene River and Iron Creek, is organized by the North Idaho Fly Casters.

Volunteers need to preregister to help planning for a barbecue lunch. Bring gloves, shovel or other digging tools and meet 8:30 a.m. at Horse Haven Landing for caravaning to work sites.

Contact: Edward Lider, (208) 651-3249, or e-mail: twoc.elider@gmail.com