RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           CC: RAD Information Net

Day/date:  Thursday, March 9, 19B9

INCIDENTS

99-37 - Denali - Follow-up on Missing Climbers

Specially equipped Army Chinook helicopters and a medical team are now on
scene and waiting for winds to abate enough to allow a search for the three
missing Japanese climbers. A twin-engined plane leased by the park
approached to within 12 miles of the peak Tuesday, but was driven back by
hurricane-force winds. Once the winds subside, the Chinooks will be used to
convey searchers to a snow cave at the 17,200' level of the mountain; if the
climbers are not found there, an aerial search will be begun. The climbers
began their ascent on February 15th, and have not been heard from for more
than a week. (Associated Press).

OFFICE NOTES

1) There'll be an hour-long World of Audubon Special entitled "Guns, Greed
and wildlife" on Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) channels Sunday night at
11 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. PST. The show will focus on covert interagency
wildlife operations in a number of areas, including Blue Ridge, Great
Smokies, Shenandoah, Katmai and Yellowstone. The show will also be on TBS
on the 19th (11 p.m. EST, 8 p.m. PST) and on the 26th (10 p.m. EST, 7 p.m.
PST). A longer version will appear on PBS sometime this summer. (Bill
Cook, FLETC).

STAFF STATUS

Dabney on leave; Andy Ringgold is the acting chief of Ranger Activities.
Hodapp on travel. Kreis with NPS-22 workgroup in Reston.

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
FTS 343-4874/4875 or 202-343-4874/4875