NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, September 10, 2012

INCIDENTS

Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs

Climber Falls Several Hundred Feet To His Death

On the morning of September 1st, a 59-year-old man was climbing North Palisade Peak (14,284 feet) in the northern portion of Kings Canyon National Park with two companions. Near the summit, he attempted to climb over a bulging ledge, but slipped and fell several hundred feet and was killed instantly. He was not on belay at the time. His companions reported the accident to a second party, who hiked out to report the incident. Rangers were notified of the accident late that evening and recovered his body the next day. [Dana M. Dierkes, Public Affairs Specialist]

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Man Reports Being Shot While Hiking Off Trail

Last Friday afternoon, Cocke County dispatch received a call from a man who said he'd sustained gunshot wounds while hiking deep within the park in the Laurel Springs Road area near Cosby. Emergency medical services arrived on scene to find that the man had two gunshot wounds in his lower leg. He was flown to University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment and later released. The man claimed to have not seen his assailant, but did hear two gunshots just before he realized he had been struck. Rangers worked with the Cocke County Sherriff's Office to secure the area along Laurel Springs Road, the closest road to where the shooting incident reportedly occurred. NPS rangers and special agents are investigating the shooting. [Molly Schroer, 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/):

Yosemite NP - The park continues its public health response and outreach as a result of confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in visitors to Curry Village's “Signature Tent Cabins” this summer. The disease has so far been linked to eight visitors, three of whom have died.

Office of Communications - The Office of Communications is seeking videos from the field that promote teamwork, creativity and a new InsideNPS. Submissions are due by September 19th.

Risk Management Division - Deputy Director Peggy O'Dell recently paid a visit to the latest Operational Leadership facilitator training class at the National Conservation Training Center.

Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings, newly introduced bills, and the status of legislation of interest to the National Park Service. This report covers activities during the period from August 24th to September 7th.

Southeast Region - Connie Hudson Backlund, superintendent of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, will retire in October after 40 years of public service.

Southeast Region - H. Tyrone Brandyburg has been selected as the new superintendent of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. He will report to his new assignment in October.

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

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