Washington

Washington’s tallest mountain is shrinking with age

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2024

Washington’s tallest mountain is shrinking with age

In a discovery that has literally changed the landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Mount Rainier—Washington state’s towering icon—has been found to be shorter than previously known.

A local scientist and mountaineer has confirmed that the volcano’s famous summit point has shifted and shrunk, marking a significant change in the mountain’s geography.

The discovery was made following a recent expedition to the summit by Eric Gilbertson, a teaching professor in mechanical engineering at Seattle University.

“Mt Rainier is the tallest peak in Washington, the most topographically prominent peak in the contiguous US, and the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous US,” Gilbertson wrote in a blog post.

“The peak is very significant in Washington—it is easily visible from Seattle on a clear day, and its picture is even on the state license plate and the state quarter. Some people refer to it simply as ‘The Mountain.’”

Mt. Rainier at Sunset with Moon in Purple Sky. Known simply as “The Mountain” by local residents, Washington’s smallest peak is shrinking as ice melts away.

Jennifer J Taylor/Getty

Using survey-grade GPS units borrowed from his university’s civil engineering department, Gilbertson found that the mountain’s official summit, known as Columbia Crest, is no longer the highest point on Mount Rainier.

On August 28, precise measurements revealed that Columbia Crest stands at 14,389.2 feet, while the southwest crater rim reaches 14,399.6 feet. This means Mount Rainier is approximately 10 feet shorter than its historically recorded height of 14,410 feet, which was first measured by triangulation in 1914 and officially established in 1956.

In total, the Columbia Crest has shrunk by 21.8 feet since 1998.

The reason for the shrinkage is relatively simple: ice is melting. “The summit area of Mt Rainier has a crater rim that melts out to rock every summer, but there has historically been a permanent dome of ice on the west edge of the rim,” Gilbertson said.

That ice dome is the Columbia Crest. Official measurements of a permanent ice cap such as this are usually made in late summer, when the ice cap is at its lowest point. Gilbertson added: “Measuring at this time of year ensures seasonal snow does not count towards the summit elevation.”

A map shows the location of Mount Rainier in Washington State.

Gilbertson’s discovery came as part of his ongoing personal project to measure the exact heights of Cascade peaks, which he began in 2022. Reports from mountain guides who noticed that Columbia Crest, traditionally the summit where climbers pose for photos and plant their ice axes in triumph, no longer felt like the highest point sparked this particular expedition.

Despite their remarkable accuracy—the measurements have an error of just 0.1 feet—these new heights aren’t official just yet. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) still lists Mt Rainier as being 14,410 feet on its website.

Newsweek reached out to the USGS for comment via email outside of business hours.

Gilbertson didn’t point to a specific cause behind the shrinking, but climate change could play a key role. The mountain has undergone dramatic changes over the past century, with 42 percent of its glacier ice vanishing since 1896. At least one glacier has completely disappeared.

Based on his calculations, Gilbertson estimates that the southwest crater rim surpassed Columbia Crest as the highest point around 2014, a high-water mark in the mountain’s ongoing transformation.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about mountains? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.

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Washington

Boy, 5, dies after being pulled from Anacostia River

Published

9 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Boy, 5, dies after being pulled from Anacostia River

A 5-year-old boy died after being pulled from the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C. Thursday evening.

About 6:20 p.m., first responders found the boy unconscious at Anacostia Park after family members and another person retrieved him from the river, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said.

D.C. Fire and EMS took life-saving measures, and the boy was flown to a hospital by a U.S. Park Police helicopter, but he was pronounced dead, police said.

Witnesses told News4 a man they believe was the child’s father then rushed to the hospital.

It appears to be an accidental drowning, police said.

The scene was within sight of picnic pavilions filled with people grilling food and enjoying the warm spring evening.

Police interviewed witnesses and people who tried to help.

Swimming in the Anacostia is prohibited.

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Washington

Washington Spirit and Defender Kate Wiesner Agree to New Contract

Published

21 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Washington Spirit and Defender Kate Wiesner Agree to New Contract

Star outside back inks three-year deal with 2029 option

Washington, D.C. (04/16/2026) – The Washington Spirit and star defender Kate Wiesner have agreed to a new contract, the club announced today. Wiesner’s new deal is a three-year contract with a 2029 club option and will replace her current contract that was set to expire at the end of this year.

“I am beyond excited to continue my time with the Spirit,” said Wiesner. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to wear this jersey with pride as we continue to forge a legacy together. DC, you are my home, and I’m honored to represent the heart of this city, on and off the field.”

Currently in her third professional season, Wiesner has proven herself as a dynamic outside back in a talented Spirit defending third. With 40 total appearances for Washington since making her debut in 2024, the defender has totaled over 2,000 minutes of action and tallied two goals, both in away wins. Wiesner has continued to provide a spark in both the attacking and defending thirds so far in 2026, helping the Spirit earn back-to-back clean sheets as well as a convincing multi-goal win on the road last week.

“Kate is exactly the type of player and person we want in our organization and we’re thrilled to keep her in DC for at least the next three seasons,” said General Manager Nathan Minion. “We’ve been able to see Kate develop into a key piece of our back line since drafting her in 2024 and have extreme confidence in her being an integral part of our long-term plan to sustainably compete for championships each year.”

At the international level, Wiesner has been called in by the U.S. Women’s National Team in each of her three years with the Spirit. First earning a call-up as a training player during her rookie year, Wiesner was named to the senior team’s roster for the first time late last season. The defender has appeared in three matches for the USWNT so far. Wiesner was also a regular of various youth national teams throughout her pre-professional playing career as well.

Originally from Monrovia, California, Wiesner attended Penn State University before being taken by the Spirit with the seventh overall pick in the club’s historic draft class in 2024. In her career with the Nittany Lions, the defender appeared in over 70 matches, tallying 24 goal contributions across over 4,500 minutes of playing time. Wiesner was named to the Big Ten’s All-Tournament Team and Third Team following her senior campaign.

The Spirit will next take the pitch at Audi Field on Friday, April 24 when the side hosts the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current. Kicking off at 8 p.m. EDT, the match will see the top two teams from last season face off. Tickets are available at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Washington

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 11, Washington DT Anterio Thompson

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 11, Washington DT Anterio Thompson

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

As it stands right now the Green Bay Packers have a pair of seventh-round picks during the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target with one of those picks could be Anterio Thompson. The Washington defensive tackle had a 30 visit with the Packers and checks in at No. 11 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A Wisconsin native, Thompson didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level at Iowa Western Community College. He then transferred to Iowa for the 2023 season and logged 41 snaps on special teams and blocked two punts.

Following his lone season with the Hawkeyes, he transferred to Western Michigan for the 2024 season and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and blocked another punt.

Thompson spent his final season at the University of Washington. During his lone season with the Huskies, Thompson recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

“Anterio was a huge piece for Washington against the run,” Roman Tomashoff, the editor for UWHuskiesWire, said. “His strength and athleticism in the middle of the defense helped the Huskies take a massive step forward in run defense, as they improved to No. 12 in the nation, allowing just 100.08 yards per game.”

Thompson is hard to dig out for one player. It usually takes multiple offensive linemen to move him off his spot. He uses a lower center of gravity to maintain proper leverage at the point of attack. He utilizes his first-step quickness to slither into gaps and disrupt run lanes. His motor is always running, and he has the lateral quickness and burst to chase down ball carriers.

“Thompson anchors very well,” Tomashoff said. “He plays with great upper body strength to help him shed blocks and redirect ball carriers, even if he wasn’t the one making the tackle.”

Thompson is still developing a pass rush plan, which isn’t surprising for a player as green as he is. Where he wins as a pass rusher is with his explosive first step (1.74 10-yard split) and ability to convert speed to power. Over the past two seasons, he recorded 33 pressures.

“His pass rushing ability came on throughout the season, as his natural athleticism and improved technique shined through,” Tomashoff said. “He even discussed attempting to pursue an extra year of eligibility to continue refining his technique, so his pass rushing is still a little ways off, but he knows exactly where he needs to improve to take his next step.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers signed veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency. Even with the addition of Hargrave, the Packers still need to add one or two defensive tackles in the upcoming draft.

Thompson’s production won’t wow anybody, and he’ll also turn 24 in October. Those two things could keep him from getting drafted.

However, he has active traits, and the flashes on tape are there. Flip on the Michigan game from this past season and you see a player capable of carving out a role in a rotation.

The Wisconsin native has a unique blend of quickness and power to at least peak teams’ interest late on Day 3. He has the strength to hold the point of attack and be a factor against the run. As a pass rusher, he has the tools to develop into a factor and it will be up to a team to help him develop a pass rush plan.

“He has all the physical tools to at the very least be a valuable special teams player, if not a rotational piece along the interior,” Tomashoff said. “He’s also spent a lot of time talking about the mental journey that he’s taken to become more coachable throughout his college career, and the strides he’s made in that department can’t be overlooked.”

With a pair of seventh-round picks at his disposal, Gutekunst could roll the dice on Thompson’s athleticism as he looks to find another Day 3 gem.

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