- Subject: NPS Morning Report - Friday, March 13, 1992
- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1992
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Friday, March 13, 1992
INCIDENTS
92-60 - Mount Rainier (Washington) - Follow-up on Search
The search for climbers J.V. and G.T. was resumed this week
despite high winds, poor visibility and high avalanche danger. The search
eventually involved over 70 personnel from three mountain rescue groups,
over a dozen NPS employees, several Rainier Mountaineering guides, and two
avalanche search dogs. All of the teams were supported by private and
military helicopters. On March 10th, park teams led by rangers Steve
Winslow, Garry Olsen, and Steve Klump searched Fuhrer's Finger and adjacent
glaciers. Rainier Mountaineering owner Lou Whittaker, who was assisting as
a spotter on a military helicopter, saw a boot at the base of an avalanche
debris area at the 8,400-foot level below Fuhrer's Finger. Shortly
thereafter, the ground teams found the bodies of J.V. and G.T. at that
location. Indications are that the climbers were descending Fuhrer's Finger
when they were swept down the mountain in an avalanche. The coroner will be
examining the victims to determine the exact cause of death. [Dispatch,
MORA, via CompuServe message from Diane Wisley, RAD/PNRO, 3/11]
92-78 - Mesa Verde (Colorado) - Low-Flying Aircraft
Earlier this year, R.F., 52, of Aspen, Colorado, was issued a
filming permit to film park ruins from the air for a sequence in a coming
series on the Discovery Channel. R.F. violated the conditions of the
permit by flying beyond the permit's expiration date, flying in areas that
were off limits, flying below 500 feet, and at times flying within 40 feet
of sites which were occupied by park visitors. The park is in the process
of issuing citations to R.F. for the infractions. Chaco Canyon has
reported similar problems with R.F.. R.F. flies a 1956 single-engine,
high-wing, fixed-landing-gear Cessna 180, FAA number N4926A. He may be
applying for filming permits in other parks. If you would like more
information on this matter, call Howard Dimont at 303-529-4461. [Howard
Dimont, CR, MEVE, via telefax from Jim Reilly, RAD/RMRO, 3/12]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
1) SECOND NOTICE: The Albright Employee Development Fund announcement and
employee information packet for this year have been distributed Servicewide.
Each package contains filing guidelines and instructions as well as an
application. For additional copies or assistance with the application,
please contact your local Employee Development office or training officer.
Applications are due in the WASO Employee Development Division postmarked no
later than April 17th. [Flip Hagood, EDD/WASO]
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: No leave or travel scheduled.
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Botti on annual leave (2/24-3/13).
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573
Telefax: Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO
SEAdog: Branch of R&VP - 1/650
Branch of F&A (WASO) - 1/655