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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Monday, May 16, 2011 INCIDENTS Denali NP&P Two Remaining Climbers Rescued From High Camp One climber died and three others were injured when a four-person team fell near the summit of Mount McKinley last week. One of the injured climbers - J.O., 40, of Ballinhasig, Ireland - and the climber who died - B.N., 38, of St. Gallen, Switzerland - were extricated from the mountain on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, the two remaining injured climbers - guide D.S., 56, of Wasilla, Alaska, and climber L.C., 45, of Croton-on-Hudson, New York - were evacuated from the 17,200-foot high camp. D.S. and L.C. suffered from frostbite on their hands and feet after a night spent at high elevation in cold temperatures and gusty winds. D.S. also reportedly sustained a broken rib. The men were individually short-hauled from the 17,200-foot camp to the 14,200-foot camp by NPS ranger John Loomis and B3 helicopter pilot Andy Hermansky. From there, the helicopter flew them down to the Kahiltna Basecamp for a fixed wing flight back to Talkeetna. The cause of B.N.'s death remains unknown. As of the morning of May 14th, there were 282 climbers attempting Mt. McKinley. Eight summits have been recorded thus far. A total of 1,029 climbers are registered to climb during the 2011 season. [Maureen McLaughlin, Public Information Officer] OTHER NEWS The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/): Grand Canyon NP - On Saturday, May 7th, visitors, locals, staff and families took a day out of their lives to appreciate and celebrate the wildlife of Grand Canyon. The day was highlighted by three programs given by renowned wildlife expert Jack Hanna and by a visit from a pair of mountain lion cubs. Office of Equal Employment Opportunity - On April 27th, DOI signed a memorandum of understanding with MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences). The MOU will promote involvement of diversity in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences in DOI initiatives in natural resources management and conservation. Photo. Fossil Butte NM - During the last week of April, Fossil Butte hosted the Ninth Conference on Fossil Resources, which was followed by the Fourth Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium. Photo. Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the NPS. A hearing was held in the House last Wednesday on 17 bills of interest to the National Park Service. Denver Service Center - Barbara Harris, Denver Service Center management analyst, will retire on June 3rd after more than 33 years with the National Park Service. Photo. * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of Communications and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov). --- ### --- |