NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

INCIDENTS

Mount Rainier NP

Missing Snowshoer Found By Searchers

A massive search for a snowshoer missing in the park since last Saturday culminated in a successful rescue on Monday night. A team of three searchers led by ranger Jordan Mammel located missing snowshoer Y.C.K. at approximately 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon in the Stevens Creek drainage just east of the Paradise area. It took until 11 p.m. to safely evacuate Y.C.K. by sled and Snowcat. Despite his ordeal, he was in relatively good health and was able to return home with his family. Y.C.K., 66, was leading a snowshoe walk for a hiking group from Tacoma on Saturday afternoon when he slipped down a steep slope. He was unable to ascend back to the group and told them he would go around and meet them. His hiking companions returned to Paradise; when Y.C.K. failed to return by mid-afternoon, the National Park Service began a search that continued through Sunday and into Monday, ultimately involving more than 100 people. Y.C.K. is an experienced snowshoer who has done many day trips at Mount Rainier. He was well equipped for day travel but did not have overnight gear or experience. The search took place in mountainous terrain at elevations of from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The weather was wintry, with fresh snow each day, low temperatures in the teens, and high winds. Organizations that participated in the search include National Park Service staff from Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks; Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol; German Shepherd Search Dogs; Volcanoes Rescue Team; and Mountain Rescue Units from Tacoma, Everett, Seattle, Olympic, Portland, and Central Washington. The IC was Stefan Lofgren. [Lee Taylor, Chief of Interpretation and Education]

White Sands NM

Autistic Teenager Found After Overnight Search

An autistic teenager was found by the crew of an Air Force Blackhawk helicopter on Monday morning after a 15-hour search. The search was begun for the 15-year-old boy around dusk on Sunday after he wandered away from his family during a visit to the park. Over 100 searchers were involved in the all-night operation, which was managed under a unified command and involved the NPS, Air Force, Army, Border Patrol, New Mexico Search and Rescue, New Mexico State Police, and Alamo West Volunteer Fire and Rescue. The incident began when members of an extended family group from El Paso who had spent the afternoon sledding and picnicking in the park realized that the teen was not with them. They searched for him for about an hour before contacting rangers, who conducted an unsuccessful hasty search of the area. The search was quickly expanded and given high priority due to the teen's autism, impending darkness, and weather. Canine units, ATV searchers, aircraft, and ground personnel were deployed during the night. At first light, additional resources were utilized to expand the operation, including three helicopters (two from the Border Patrol and a Blackhawk helicopter from Kirtland AFB) and several canine units (teams from Holloman AFB, New Mexico Search and Rescue, and the Border Patrol). Ground searchers, all-terrain vehicles, and equestrian teams from all previously listed agencies also supported this complex search and rescue operation. At 10:15 am, personnel in the Blackhawk spotted the teenager walking in the dunes about six miles from the point where he'd last been seen. He was found to be in good health and spirits. The boy was flown to the command post and reunited with his family. The missing teen was excited to have a helicopter ride and asked one of the Blackhawk crewmen for his patch. The crewman ripped the patch off his shoulder and handed it to the rescued teen. The teen's family was extremely grateful and thanked everyone who was involved with bringing their son home. [Becky Wiles, Acting Superintendent]

Glacier NP

Cross-Country Skiers Rescued From Park

Glacier National Park, Flathead County Search and Rescue Mountain Rescue Team and Kalispell Regional Medical Center's A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance responded to and rescued two cross-country skiers who were lost and stranded overnight in the North Fork area of the park. The married couple from Kalispell sent a 911 message using a spot messenger device, reporting that they were lost and stranded in the park. Flathead County dispatch received the message at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday evening and determined that the message originated from a remote location approximately a mile north of the Akokala Creek Trail in the North Fork area of park, approximately six miles north of Polebridge. Park rangers were immediately notified and an incident team was organized. Due to bad weather, downed trees, difficult trail conditions, darkness and overall unsafe conditions for ground or aerial searches, it was determined that a response would need to take place early Sunday morning. Operations resumed that day with rangers and members of the county's rescue team snowshoeing and cross-country skiing toward their location. A helicopter joined them when weather conditions improved. The crew spotted tracks on the ground, landed briefly, and dropped off two crew members, who hiked a half mile to the couple's location. They were treated at the scene and flown out. Rangers met them and transported them to the Polebridge Ranger Station. The couple then returned home. [Denise Germann, Public Affairs 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/):

Fire and Aviation Management - The National Park Service has launched a new campaign called “Prevention 52” that will focus on the prevention of structural fires and the education and empowerment of employees to help attain that end.

Historic Preservation Training Center - The FY2011 annual report for the Historic Preservation Training Center is now out and can be viewed online at the center's newly-updated website. A link is provide.

Chief Information Officer - Two new members have been named to the NPS GIS Council. Lucy Lawliss, George Washington Birthplace/Thomas Stone, and Dennis Skidds, Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, are the new superintendent and I&M network representatives.

Intermountain Region - Lisa Eckert has been named superintendent at Colorado National Monument. She will assume her new duties in mid-February.

Intermountain Region - Richard Cronenberger, a historical architect and curatorial collections specialist in Intermountain Regional Office, will retire at the end of January after 32 years with the National Park Service.

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The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced with the support of the Office of the Assistant Director for Information Resources and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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