|
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Thursday, September 20, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Olympic NP Missing Hiker Found After Two-Day Search A search began on Tuesday for a solo hiker who was reported missing on Sunday, September 16th. J.S., 60, had planned a seven-day trip through the Bailey Range, a well-known off-trail route through rugged and remote terrain. J.S. was described by friends and family members as a strong and safety-conscious hiker who plans and prepares carefully for his hikes. A map and description of J.S.'s itinerary, which he prepared before leaving home, provided searchers with important information about his planned route and camp sites. J.S. was last seen on Monday, September 10th, when he left the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort to begin his hike at the Sol Duc trailhead. He planned to traverse the Bailey Range and end his hike on Sunday, September 16th, at the North Fork Quinault trailhead. Searchers concentrated their efforts along J.S.'s intended route, with four observers searching from a helicopter and approximately 15 on the ground. The search ended happily around 12:30 on Wednesday afternoon when he was spotted by the crew of a helicopter near Bear Pass in the southern Bailey Range, about five miles north of Low Divide. The helicopter was able to land nearby. When searchers contacted J.S., they found that he was in relatively good condition, though sore and slightly injured from a minor fall. He was flown out of the park and was evaluated by ranger-EMTs. He declined further medical treatment. [Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer] Yellowstone NP Park And Gallatin NF Lift Emergency Closures Effective yesterday, the park and the Gallatin National Forest lifted emergency area closures temporarily put in place north of Gardiner in the Reese Creek area of the park and the Beattie Gulch area of the national forest. The emergency closures were put into effect on Friday, September 14th, to address human safety concerns after a bear mauling in the forest - evidently an isolated incident (click on “More Information” for the original report). The bear was not injured, which would have caused additional human safety concerns. To help reduce human and bear encounters, hikers and hunters are encouraged to travel and hunt in pairs, carry bear spray, and adhere to food storage orders. Hunters should keep in mind that elk calls can also attract bears. It is also important to remember that bears are attracted to gut piles and food sources, including carcasses, particularly during this time of the year right before they enter hibernation. The Little Trail Creek Trail area closure will remain in effect as there may still be an injured bear in this area. The park and forest encourage visitors, backcountry users, and hunters to check with the Albright Visitor Center or the Backcountry Office in Mammoth Hot Springs or the Gardiner Ranger District Office in Gardiner for the most up to date closure information. [Public Affairs] HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=3511" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=3511 OTHER NEWS The following stories (among others) can be read on either the InsideNPS web site (if you are within the National Park Service) or at the InsideNPS public ‘news digest' site (if you are outside of the NPS). The web sites are, respectively, HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/ and ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/). * Servicewide - A twelve-hour-long documentary on the national parks and the National Park Service by famed filmmaker Ken Burns is currently in preparation and scheduled for release some time in 2009. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5819" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5819 * Isle Royale NP - Emergency restrictions went into effect this week prohibiting ballast water discharges and exchanges in park waters by freighters and recreational boaters. The objective is to check the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) to fish communities surrounding the park. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5818" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=5818 * Statue of Liberty NM - News story from the New York Times: “On Monday, the National Park Service said that it had no intention of reopening the Statue of Liberty's crown, which has been closed since the 9/11 attack. Federal officials said that public access to the top of the statue would pose a potentially catastrophic fire hazard.” HYPERLINK "http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/nyregion/19crown.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=nyregion&adxnnlx=1190281839-vAmQi8gWHjVa136lKClIFw" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/nyregion/19crown.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=nyregion&adxnnlx=1190281839-vAmQi8gWHjVa136lKClIFw * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828). --- ### --- |