Mt. Rainier Backcountry Ranger

The majority of Tom Westman's career followed a traditional path: after earning a PhD in chemistry, he spent many years in academia and in corporate America. While he found professional and financial success, he always felt a lack of fulfillment in his mainstream employment. When he moved back to Washington State and had the opportunity to become a backcountry ranger on Mount Rainier, he embarked on a ten-year adventure that brought him the personal satisfaction he'd never known.

Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the Cascade range and one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, beckons adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Westman joined the backcountry rangers out of love for the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, but soon found that a ranger's job entails more than appreciating the native flora and fauna. Westman participated in numerous dangerous search and rescue missions, and more than a few hikers and campers owe their lives to Westman and the ranger team.

"Backcountry Ranger at Mount Rainier "is not just a story of Westman's adventures as a ranger, it's a tribute to the power of nature and a look at how one man discovered his true self through the unexpected gift of a fresh start.