In the 1920s and 30s, an outdoor recreation activity called “nature coasting” was popular in Mount Rainier National Park. It looks hilarious and fun, and we wish it’d come back in all its former glory.
Nature coasting is like sledding, but instead of using a sled, you just slide down on your backside while wearing waxed “tin pants.” And instead of sledding down a snowy hill, you slide down part of a glacier. You can slide by yourself for a solo thrill, or you can line up with some friends to form a tin-cloth-pants train of total bliss.
The National Park Service (NPS) says nature coasting was particularly popular at Mount Rainier National Park during the summer months. In 1920, these guided outings cost $2.50 per person, which included the special pants.
“Park concession guides led groups up to the Nisqually or Paradise Glaciers to go sliding, wearing special ‘tin pants’ made of …