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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Monday, January 13, 2014 INCIDENTS Rocky Mountain NP Lost and Unprepared Hikers Rescued from Backcountry On the afternoon of Wednesday, January 8th, two hikers - a man and a woman, both 23 and both from out of state - contacted the park by cell phone and reported that they'd become lost while hiking back down from an ascent to the summit of Flattop Mountain (12,324 feet). Park SAR personnel immediately began a search for them in the Flattop Mountain and Mill Creek Basin areas. They were found above the Banana Bowls at an elevation of roughly 10,600 feet around 8 p.m. They were escorted out of the backcountry, arriving at the Bear Lake trailhead around 9:45 p.m. Neither of the hikers had snowshoes or backcountry gear, and neither was prepared either for the freezing temperatures or for a night in the backcountry. Due to post-holing in deep snow, the man's jeans, cotton socks and leather work boots were frozen solid when searchers found them. Rescuers used a backpacking stove to thaw his boots so he could walk out. This search could easily have had a tragic ending and served as an important reminder that preparedness is critical when exploring a park in winter. The park offered the following reminders to visitors: Frostbite and hypothermia present a clear and present danger during winter months. If going into the backcountry, visitors should plan their trip well and be prepared for the possibility of bitter cold winter conditions. Becoming lost or receiving a minor injury can be life threatening if not prepared, especially in winter. Most trails are not marked for winter use, so navigation can be challenging. Visitors should not rely on cell phone service, as many areas of the park have no service. It is critical to check current weather and avalanche forecasts before venturing out. At a minimum, winter backcountry visitors should carry water/windproof outerwear, whistle, topographic map, compass, flashlight or headlamp, matches or other fire starter, extra high energy food and water, extra layers of clothing and insulation, emergency bivy sack, and a first aid kit. Adequate winter footwear is essential - waterproof/insulated footwear with gaiters and snowshoes are needed. [Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer] OTHER NEWS The following stories are among those in today's InsideNPS. To see the full text, 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 Morning Report web page ( HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/morningreport/" http://www.nps.gov/morningreport/): Guadalupe Mountains NP - Guadalupe Mountains National Park recently entered a partnership with the Carlsbad Mural Project, a project of the Carlsbad Community Anti-Gang-Drug Coalition, to create a traveling mural of the park. Fire and Aviation Management - Any park interested in hosting an intern to strengthen its structural fire prevention program for ten weeks this summer is encouraged to apply for one of the available positions. Applications are being accepted until February 7th. 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 in Congress since December 20th. Southeast Region - Darrell Echols has been selected as the chief of science and natural resource management for Southeast Region. He has been serving as the deputy superintendent for the Outer Banks Group for the past six years. Alaska Region - Dick Stenmark, 82, a career National Park Service employee and former deputy regional director for Alaska Region, passed away on December 23rd. * * * * The Morning Report is 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@contractor.nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov). --- ### --- |