Shenandoah |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Monday, July 14, 1986 Incident location: South District near amphitheater Summary: Ranger found 4 cars parked in amphitheater. Very loud music. Confronted by 6 people while investigating, and backed up into his car. People pounded on car. He called for backup. They wouldn't let him go. He hit one with flashlight on shoulder in order to get free. Backups formed roadblock. Got 5 of 6. Charged w/disorderly -- maybe charged w/assault, poss. of marijuana, resisting arrest, & destruction of gov. property. Guy hit w/light had only minor injury. One female w/cut lip. Another female pregnant, but O.K. Kids present. Vehicles towed. About 11 rangers involved. People out on own recognizance. About $1000 in OT so far.
Incident location: North District, Rangerview Overlook Summary: Suicide. Put shotgun in mouth. Next of kin should be arriving to ID body. Body found outside of car by visitors. No one else seen at location or leaving area. No note.
Location: Milepost 53.5, 1/2 mile East of Drive Summary: Single-engined Piper Cherokee, owned by F. Eustis Flying Club, crashed in trees on east side of park just south of Big Meadows. Caught fire, but just smouldered. Visitor spotted smoke & reported to rangers. Minor injuries to all parties; plane totalled. Probable cause of accident -- engine failure. FAA is investigating.
Location: Loft Mountain Summary: Mr. P.D. fell 30' while climbing cliff at Loft Mountain. Landed on feet and broke ankle, leg, wrist and sundry other bones. Rangers spent much of Sunday night evacuating him by litter up the cliff face. Taken to hospital & presently in stable condition.
Location: Old Rag (mountain) Mssrs. S.C., K.J. and T.H. went to Shenandoah for a day hike on Old Rag yesterday, and did not return that evening. Their parents called the park at 1:30 am and reported them missing. Their car was found at Weakly Hollow parking lot, and there was no evidence that they'd returned to it. Weather conditions were (and are) bad - cool temperatures, rain and fog. None of the boys was equipped for an overnight stay. The park began a search at 6 a.m. this morning, and has a dozen rangers out on hasty searches and area confinement. Six search dog teams are en route and may already be in the field.
Location: Old Rag Mssrs. S.M., K.J. and T.H., who were reported missing on Old Rag and were the subjects of an intensive search, were found at 7:30 p.m. last night. Approximately 50 people were employed all day yesterday in searches of the park--6 dog teams, 10 Madison County rescue squad members, 10 members of the Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference, and about 30 park employees, including protection and interpretive rangers, maintenance people and administrators. The boys, however, found there way to the home of a park neighbor, who transported them to the park. They were hungry and cold, but in good shape--none required medical attention. The boys had bushwacked their way to the top of Old Rag on Monday, and had gotten lost in the rain and fog on the way back down. They spent a miserable night in the open, and were slightly hypothermic as a result. They tried to get out yesterday, but couldn't find their way in the fog until it lifted a bit late in the day. They then found their way down.
Location: Skyline Drive Mr. J.M.L. was reportedly standing in the bed of his family's pickup, looking for wildlife. The vehicle swerved and he was thrown to the pavement. The family rushed him to the hospital. J.M.L. died of massive head injuries on June 9th.
Location: Big Meadows Rescue Cache L.C. was found in a NPS rescue vehicle at the Rescue Cache. The vehicle had been parked there last evening. A hose extended from the exhaust pipe to the interior of the vehicle where L.C. was located. L.C. was a former NPS employee of Shenandoah Park. He currently worked for the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. This had been L.C.'s first season at Shenandoah. He was a seasonal law enforcement ranger and had worked previous seasons in other parks. His last day as a seasonal at Shenandoah was July 18, 1987. No note was found, coroner responding, FBI enroute to the park. Next of kin has not been notified.
Location: Big Meadows Department of Defense will send a representative to next of kin to make notification of death in person. Coroner, FBI Investigators, and MPS investigators have found nothing to rule other than apparent suicide at this time. Investigation is ongoing. Body has been transported to Fairfax, VA for autopsy, which will be performed tomorrow morning. A request is being made by the park for the services of the University of Virginia's Critical Incident Team. These individuals come to the park to provide group counseling and coping strategies for those who have been directly involved and profoundly affected by such an experience.
Location: Milepost 13 M.N., a seasonal ranger in interpretation at Shenandoah, was last seen on Wednesday, August 5th, the first of his two lieu days. He failed to show up at work on Friday and again on Saturday, so the park began a search for him. Entry was gained to his quarters, and a journal was found. The last entry was on Wednesday; it indicated that M.N. was severely depressed and that the entry might be his last. Subsequent conversations with family and friends revealed that he has had a history of depression. His car was found late in the afternoon at Milepost 13 on the Blue Ridge Parkway - 13 miles south of the south entrance to Shenandoah. A hasty search of the area was conducted on Saturday night, but without luck. The two parks were beginning a joint search for M.N. on Sunday morning, employing 20 rangers from Shenandoah and an unknown number from Blue Ridge, volunteers, dog teams, and Eagle I, the Park Police helicopter from Washington. M.N. is reportedly an excellent hiker, and hiked almost the entire Appalachian Trail last year. He may be familiar with the area.
Location: Maupin Field Shelter The search continues for Shenandoah seasonal interpretive ranger M.N., who has not been seen since August 5th. His car was found on the 8th at milepost 13 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a major search has been in progress since Saturday. Nobles was reported to be seriously depressed. Early yesterday afternoon, searchers found M.N.'s pack and some personal belongings 100 yards off the Appalachian Trail near Maupin Field Shelter. The items found included clothing, a walking stick, running shoes, a canteen which was 3/4 full and two empty over-the-counter drug containers. A doctor was consulted on the two drugs; he has said that neither is dangerous by itself, but that they would create hallucinations if taken together in substantial amounts. Dogs were brought in shortly thereafter, but could find no scent. At nightfall, searchers received a report of a "stench" within a mile or so of the shelter and are going to check the area closely this morning.
Location: Various The search for Shenandoah seasonal interpretive ranger M.N. (previously reported as N.), which has been in progress for ten days, continues but is being scaled down. Last Thursday, nearly 300 searchers walked the area along the Appalachian Trail where his pack and other items were discovered, but found nothing. An inter-agency overhead team was brought in on the weekend to help run the search, which continued to prove fruitless. As of this morning, that team is being disbanded, and the search is continuing with about 50 people - predominantly NPS - in the field, along with several dog teams. Over the weekend, a father and son reported that they had seen M.R.N. on the trail around midday on the 7th. He was hiking in his socks, and, although heading south at the time, he asked the two for directions to a campground which was 100 miles to the north. Because of this, searchers are convinced that M.N. is no longer in the original search area, and have shifted their emphasis from ground searches to interviews with people who might have seen him. Posters with his picture on it will also be placed throughout the area. A decision will be made on Wednesday as to the future course of search efforts. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Friday, August 14, 1987 B-3 No new clues found as search continues for missing ranger CHARLOTTESVILLE - The search for a 25-year-old Shenandoah National Park ranger missing since late last week intensified yesterday as more than 280 volunteers walked a densely wooded area along the Appalachian Trail. No new clues were found. M.R.N., a veteran hiker and National Park Service ranger and naturalist, was reported missing early Sunday morning when he failed to arrive at work. His car was found Sunday afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 13 miles south of Waynesboro. Tuesday, his backpack and boots were found near the Maupin Field Shelter, located between Reed's Gap and Love Gap on the Appalachian Trial. Also found at the shelter were a pair of his rolled-up pants and a long stick used by M.R.N., which he had nicknamed "Walking Stick," said Shenandoah Park Ranger Teresa Shirakawa, a friend of M.R.N.'s. "There is a definite urgency in concentrating large numbers of people on the search because of the length of time he has been missing," she said. Chuck Anibal, assistant chief naturalist at Shenandoah National Park and a friend and co-worker of M.R.N., told United Press International yesterday that investigators went through M.R.N.'s journal at his borne looking for clues about where he may have gone. The journal, which Anibal said M.R.N. keeps regularly, "showed that he was in a somewhat depressed state that may have caused him to change his normal behavior." Anibal stressed that suicide was not mentioned in the journal. "It did not indicate self-destruction at all. "But he may be wandering off just trying to get away from people, something he has been known to do," Anibal said. "He has been known to get away and hike to work out his problems." This summer is M.R.N.'s first with the park service, Ms. Shirakaw" --Md. "It was something he set as a goal. He always wanted to be a park ranger." Yesterday's search, which included several dozen of M.R.N.'s friends and park service colleagues, focused on a three-square-mile area on the Nelson-Augusta County line northeast and south between Reed's Gap and Love Gap. More than 280 volunteers with 20 different groups and agencies -- including the Civil Air Patrol, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Search and Rescue -- searched the area from 7 a.m. until sunset. Fort Lee also sent more than 100 soldiers early yesterday to help in the search. The group consists of 32 soldiers from the 57th Transportation Co., 67 soldiers from the 109th Quartermaster Co., 10 medics and a non-commissioned officer from the 85th evacuation hospital. Ten teams have been formed from the group, each served by a medic and supplied with full rescue equipment. They will search daily until dark and expect the search could last up to three days. Assisting the search parties were four dog teams from Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as deputies with area sheriff's departments. Despite yesterday's heavy turnout of volunteers, the search was unsuccessful. "We haven't turned up any clues. It was a long time getting all 280 people in the field ... we keep rotating people in and out of the search so they don't get over-exhausted or stressed," Ms. Shirakawa said. Although the dog teams detected several scents yesterday, those also failed to yield additional information as to M.R.N.'s whereabouts, she added. Officials think M.R.N. could be in an area other than those that have been searched this week but they also are not ruling out foul play or injury as causes in his disappearance. M.R.N.'s extensive hiking experience, however, would make him "more prepared than most people" to survive in the woods in adverse conditions, Ms. Shirakawa said, noting that last summer the Massachusetts native hiked the Appalachian Trail along its 2,000-mile route from Maine to Georgia. The search will resume today. Staff writer LeeNora Everett contributed to this article. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sunday, August 16, 1987 E-7 2 say they saw hiker 8 days ago LURAY -- The search for a Shenandoah National Park naturalist moved farther south yesterday after a man and his son told authorities they talked to him eight days earlier and that he appeared to be disoriented, park spokesman Chuck Anibal said. Based on the reported sighting of M.R.N., Anibal said authorities planned to change the scope of the search beginning today. "His mental state definitely has us concerned," Anibal said. "On the other hand, his physical condition definitely leads us to believe he can cover quite a bit of distance." Anibal said the father and son told authorities they met M.R.N., 25, on the Appalachian Trail at midday Aug. 7. M.R.N. had begun his hike the previous day. Anibal said the two hikers, whose names were not available, told authorities M.R.N. asked directions to a campground 100 miles to the north. They said M.R.N. was walking briskly toward the south at the time and he just had socks on his feet. "He appeared to be in very good physical condition but was disoriented," Anibal said. "He's an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker" and should have known he was a long way from the campground. He said the hikers did not report the encounter until Saturday because they did not know authorities were looking for M.R.N. until they heard a news report about the search. Anibal said authorities do not suspect foul play. He said M.R.N. was known to be carrying sleeping pills and other over-the-counter drugs. The hikers met M.R.N. about two miles south of the Maupin Field shelter, where his equipment and hiking boots were found last week. About 235 people continued the search for M.R.N. yesterday. Anibal said about 25 organizations are involved in the search, with the largest number of participants, 107, coming from the Army's 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee. Using military-style organization, a forestry emergency incident team is also involved in the search. The team, which joined the search effort Thursday night at the request of the National Park Service, consists of 26 people trained to handle large-scale emergency operations in a 17-state region from Texas to Virginia. Crews were broken up into divisions and teams, each with leaders, and searchers were being briefed before departing for the day and debriefed at the end of the day's search in the George Washington National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Valuable clues had been turned up by the smaller-scale searches conducted so far, said Whitney Lerer, a U.S. Forest Service official from South Carolina and a member of the Southeastern Interagency Incident Command Team. For example, Noepel's truck and camping gear already had been found. UPI "The folks that were here were doing a very good job," he said, "but they were becoming weary and we were asked to come in and provide relief." As of Friday afternoon, Lerer said, the search had cost an estimated $126,800 with an additional $190,000 in donated services from local agencies. Anibal said the search team is covering about four square miles a day. Beginning today, Anibal said, "Instead of going with grid sweeps ... we're going to broaden the scope and see if we can pick up clues farther away." The new search techniques would include the use of a helicopter, dog team and a man specially trained in tracking techniques. Anibal said. He said authorities planned the changes "because new information on the location and direction of travel and physical condition of the subject leads us to believe that we may have to deal with a much larger area than we are now." Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, August 17, 1987 B-5 140 searching for naturalist in park area MONTEBELLO (UPI) - About 140 people searched yesterday in Shenandoah National Park for naturalist M.R.N., who disappeared more than a week ago. "We have sent a dozen dog teams well south and well north of the command center in Montebello and about 75 miles separate the groups in the north from the groups in the south," Phil Noblitt, a spokesman, said. He also said searchers were using dogs just off the Appalachian Trail to try to pick up M.R.N.'s scent in case he had wandered off the path. Another spokesman, Hoyt Rath, said a light rain yesterday morning was helping the dogs. "The rain last night and this morning makes conditions ideal for working the dogs. The rain is a real plus and will increase the [intensity of the] scents that are out there." Over the weekend, a father and son told searchers they had spotted M.R.N., a 25-year-old park employee, on Aug. 7. The two, who had just come off the trail, said he was wearing gray shorts, a gray T-shirt and socks. The father and son also said M.R.N. seemed disoriented, asking for directions to a campground. B-4 Richmond Times-Dispatch, Tuesday, August 18, 1987 'Hot' track found after possible sighting Times-Dispatch state staff CHARLOTTESVILLE - The search for a Shenandoah National Park-ranger missing along the Appalachian Trail changed directions yesterday after campers reported that- a man resembling the ranger was wandering briefly along U.S. 250 near Waynesboro. Two dog tracking teams began searching that area yesterday and found what officials called a "hot" track near where the unsubstantiated sighting at 7 p.m. Sunday occurred. "The dogs seem to be on a track. ... We are optimistic the track will be his," Warren Bielenberg, a naturalist with the Shenandoah National Park and spokesman for the search, said late in the day. The object of the search is M.R.N., 25, a veteran hiker and recently hired park service naturalist and ranger. He was reported missing when he failed to arrive at work Aug. 9. His car was found later that afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 13 miles south of Waynesboro. The possible sighting of M.R.N. Sunday night occurred about 18" miles from where some of his belongings, including his boots, a pair of pants and his backpack, were found Tuesday. "They didn't see him well. He was up in the brush along the trail," Bielenberg said of the campers who may have seen M.R.N.. The man fled into brush moments after he was seen by the campers, park service officials added. Bielenberg said the man seen by the campers was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and no shoes. At a confirmed sighting of M.R.N. on Aug. 7 he was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts and was wearing socks but no shoes. That sighting occurred about 6 miles south of where M.R.N.'s belongings were found. Yesterday's search involved about 45 people, most of whom continued to concentrate on a rugged five-mile area near Harper's Creek Shelter. It is about six trail miles from where M.R.N. was seen Aug. 7, though searchers did not learn of that sighting until late last week when the campers left the trail. Before Sunday's possible sighting, searchers spent the weekend conducting a sweeping search of a 70-mile area between where M.R.N.'s belongings were found and the Loft Mountain campgrounds where he has been living this summer. The search also extended further northwest toward Elkton. "When the campers reported the [Sunday] sighting, it changed the whole search," Bielenberg said. Searchers yesterday also passed out fliers describing M.R.N., who is 6-foot-1, 155 pounds, with hazel eyes and blond hair.
Location: Parkwide As the result of an undercover investigation conducted by Shenandoah rangers, USFWS agents, and state authorities, 9 people were arrested in early April and charged with 20 felony, 5 misdemeanor and over 100 state charges associated with poaching deer and black bear within the park. On August 24th, eight of the nine were sentenced by US District Court Judge Michaels (Western District of Virginia, Harrisonburg) following pleas of guilty on a number of charges. F.D. received four years in prison, plus an indefinite period of active probation thereafter. "S."C. received a sentence of one year in prison plus three years active probation. The remaining six received suspended sentences of from one to five years in prison and from one to five years active probation. The eight will pay a total of $10,000 in fines and will be barred from the park until all probation is completed.
Location: 1/4 mile E of Milepost 15.5 Early on Sunday, two ginseng hunters found what appears to be the body of M.R.N., the seasonal ranger from Shenandoah who has been missing since early in the month. Although it has not yet been confirmed that the body is M.R.N.'s, circumstantial evidence makes the likelihood highly probable - it was found one half mile from the point where M.R.N. was last seen on the 7th and the body was clothed in a T-shirt and shorts which match the ones which he was wearing at that time. The body was found in a deep, narrow ravine, which, according to the chief ranger, maie it very difficult to see unless you were right on top of it. The area had in fact been "heavily" searched by dogs and searchers. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but one ankle was clearly broken. The body has been taken to Richmond for positive identification and determination of the cause of death. The family has been notified. The park has a press release ready but will not release it until confirmation has been received that it is M.R.N..
Location: Out of park On January 18th, 56 Federal, state and local law enforcement authorities - including Shenandoah rangers - arrested a dozen people for poaching and related violations in and around Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. Three of them - M.Z., H.F.G. and M.S. - were arrested for violations that took place within the parks. A Virginia Game Commission undercover agent infiltrated the group several months ago and developed the case against them. The trio, all of whom were unemployed, hunted almost every day both inside and outside the parks, selling the game they killed on the black market. The agent himself purchased nearly a ton of meat taken in this fashion, almost all of it from the parks. The three men also engaged in a contest to see who could tally the most points from poached game. Using a system that awarded one point for a doe and points for bucks equivalent to the number of points on their racks, each of the men was able to accumulate 70 to 80 points during their park hunts. One of the men also engaged in the sale of drugs within Shenandoah. H.F.G. and M.S. were indicted last Friday for hunting in a national park (Shenandoah), violation of the Lacey Act and conspiracy; M.Z. was indicted on those three charges and for selling drugs, carrying a firearm while selling drugs and hunting in Blue Ridge Parkway.
J.D.M., a maintenance employee, was arrested this past weekend (2/27 or 2/28) by the Page County Sheriffs Department and charged with 8 felony counts of child molestation. These charges were brought by J.D.M.'s wife. Park attempts to obtain additional information have been unsuccessful to date, as the Page County Sheriffs Office is reluctant to release further information.
Location: Old Hollow On April 2nd, C.L. kidnapped his former common-law wife and their 4- year-old child from her apartment in New Haven, Connecticut. C.L. was known to be in possession of a 9 mm carbine, two clips and a box of ammunition. Warrants were issued by both state and Federal authorities for kidnapping and interstate flight. On April 3rd, C.L.'s vehicle was found abandoned in Old Hollow, a mile and a half from the eastern boundary of Shenandoah. Because the vehicle's identification number had been removed, the vehicle proved difficult to trace. The FBI was notified on April 5th, and their interviews with local residents led agents to believe that C.L. was still in the area. On the evening of April 6th, a grocery store at the east end of the hollow was broken into, and a number of items were stolen, including food, beer and cigarettes of the brand that Leaf smokes. The FBI then called in the NPS for assistance. Rangers set up an incident command system with commanders from the NPS, FBI and Virginia State Police. The searchers brought in two aircraft with infra-red capabilities - the Park Police's "Eagle I" helicopter and the FBI's fixed-wing "Night Stalker" - to survey the area, but bad weather terminated their search during the evening. Rangers and state police set up checkpoints on roads, trails and other travel routes in the area. At dawn on April 7th, the FBI hostage rescue team from Ouantico and the Virginia State Police SWAT team used search dogs to sweep and clear every building in the hollow and all high-probability search areas. Tracking dogs were also used to follow some tracks. As of late Thursday, the search was still in progress and indications are that C.L. and his two victims are still in the area.
Location: Outside of park Over the weekend, park rangers, FBI agents and Virginia State Police officers were involved in an intensive search for C.L., a fugitive from Connecticut who was wanted for kidnapping and was thought to be in the park. On Saturday evening, FBI agents found C.L. and his two hostages - his ex- common law wife and their three-year-old son - in a farmhouse in Sperryville, just outside the park. C.L. threatened to kill both hostages, and asked for a helicopter to take all three out of the area. When attempting to board the helicopter Sunday afternoon, an FBI marksman shot and killed him. C.L. had a history of assault and kidnapping and was out on bond from a correctional center in Connecticut. Park rangers were not involved in the aspects of the incident which took place outside the park.
Location: Not specified Early on the morning of the 21st, a bear researcher from VPI checked a snare he had set in the park and found a 150-pound black bear in it. He prepared a jab-stick to immobilize the bear, and, employing a standard procedure, used a tree as cover while jabbing the bear. As he was backing off to a safe distance, the bear charged him, pulled the snare's cable free from its mooring and jumped on the researcher's back. The researcher was scratched by the bear's claws and bitten once on the back. As he fell to the ground, the bear tumbled off and ran away. The researcher, whose injuries do not appear to be serious, was transported to a hospital in Luray. No action against the bear is planned since its response was a normal one and since it did not continue the attack.
Location: Headquarters area, near Luray While playing softball near park headquarters last night, employees observed smoke emanating from a chemical materials storage building. The Luray Fire Department was called; while awaiting their arrival, several employees forced their way into the building and attempted to suppress the blaze. One received minor lacerations while doing so, and a second suffered from smoke inhalation. Both were treated at a local hospital and later released. The fire caused an estimated $8-10,000 damage, and consumed some of the chemicals stored within, including varying amounts of hydraulic fluid, paint, pesticides (such as Dimilin, which is used on gypsy moths) and other materials. The fire may have been caused by a chemical reaction; arson has not been ruled out, but is thought to be unlikely. Further investigations will be conducted today.
The body of F.K.U., 45, of Oakton, Virginia was discovered in her van on September 14th. The van was running with a hose attached to the exhaust and the gas stove on the inside also burning. F.K.U. left suicide notes for her family.
While investigating a car clouting incident on May 18th, park rangers found an unattended vehicle belonging to a 26-year-old man from Alexandria. The vehicle was searched, and suicide notes were found within. A search of the area was begun, and the man was found near the Ivy Creek Overlook in the park's South District about four hours later. The man was found to be a manic depressive, and was taken to the nearby University of Virginia hospital. (Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN; report via CompuServe from Ginny Paci, RAD/MARO).
On the 27th, rangers found an unattended vehicle owned by W.O., 53, at Crescent Rock overlook. The registration was checked through NCIC and it was learned that there was a lookout posted for him as a possible suicide. A search of the area was conducted, and W.O.'s body was found on a ledge below the overlook. A 6-1/2 hour long technical recovery effort was required to retrieve his body. (CompuServe message from R7D/MAR0).
On the evening of the 11th, 21-year-old D.C. of Culpeper, Virginia, was illegally riding a three-wheeled ATV on lower Rapidan Road when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree. D.C. was not wearing a helmet and suffered serious head injuries. His friends took him to a nearby community and called the local rescue squad. He was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a hospital. D.C.'s blood alcohol content reading was 0.23. Park rangers are investigating the incident. (Greg Stiles, ACR, Shenandoah, via CompuServe message from RAD/MARO).
At midnight on July 3rd, a steak house was robbed at gunpoint in Staunton, Virginia, about 15 miles east of the park. The park received a look-out notice on the morning of the 4th, and ranger Steve Clark observed a vehicle with occupants matching the description of the robbers near Thornton Gap that afternoon. Clark followed the vehicle to a nearby concession facility while awaiting back-up, but the suspects were able to get into their car and exit the park on US Route 211 before assistance could arrive. Clark notified the Virginia State Police, who intercepted the vehicle, arrested the occupants and charged them with armed robbery. (Greg Stiles, Acting CR, SHEN, via CompuServe report from Ginny Paci, RAD/MARO).
The following is a brief summary of the impacts of Hurricane Hugo on several eastern parks as of Friday afternoon: - Shenandoah National Park - High winds throughout the park forced the closure of Skyline Drive due to falling trees and limbs. It was not known when it would reopen.
Around 6 p.m. on the 12th, a 30-year-old woman became lost in the park's Central District after lagging behind her party. Temperatures during the following night dropped into the low teens. The park began a full-scale search for her on the 13th, employing both dog teams and helicopters. She was located at noon by the crew of one of the helicopters and was found to be suffering from exposure and a sprained ankle. During the accompanying investigation, rangers learned that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for her from Ohio. She was placed under arrest, then taken to a hospital for treatment of her injury. (Telephone report from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 4/13/90).
On May 10th, a Cessna 210 carrying six people was headed from Richmond to Winchester, Virginia, when it disappeared. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) initiated a search, which centered in the Dumfrees area near Quantico Marine Base. On the 13th, Prince William rangers joined about 50 members of the Appalachian SAR conference in a search of the park, which abuts the Marine base, but no sign of the plane was found. On the 14th, a weak FIT signal was detected by an aircraft flying over the north district of Shenandoah, and CAP began searching that area. About 20 people, including rangers and members of Appalachian SAR, are centering their efforts on the Mount Marshall area, site of several past plane crashes. They are using ELT receivers along roads in trails in the district. (Lou Wesselhoft, CR, PRWI, via telephone report from Tom Monroe, RAD/NCRO, 5/13/90; Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, via CompuServe message from Kathy Jope, RAD/MARO, 10 a.m. EDT, 5/15/90).
On October 12th and 13th, rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Marco washed out more than 600 feet of access road to Mathews /Arm campground. The campground was not opened this year due to funding problems and the need to rehabilitate the area, so there were no visitor problems associated with the wash out. It's estimated that repairs will cost $200,000. Rangers are also checking trails for damage. The heavy rain removed some of the park's colorful leaf display, much to the dismay of the thousands of visitors who came to the park on Sunday. (CompuServe message from Ginny Paci, RAD/MARO, 10/17).
At 11 a.m. on November 3rd, a park visitor reported that he had heard a small, low-flying aircraft crash near South River Falls about a half-hour earlier while he was hiking in that area. Park personnel responded and set up a command post at the South River picnic area. Rescue teams attempted to locate the site of the crash; Pegasus, the University of Virginia Medical Center helicopter, joined in the effort. Just before noon, the crew of the Pegasus located the crash site and began directing ground rescue teams to the location. Minutes later, the three occupants of the aircraft, pilot J.P., 44, and passengers T.B., 37, and T.B.'s three-year-old son, walked into the command post at South River. They were evaluated and treated for minor injuries, but did not require hospitalization. The accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time. The plane was a single- engine 1979 Cessna 172. (Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 11/5).
At 5:15 a.m. on November 4th, rangers David Bauer and Donald Harvey stopped a 1981 Toyota hatchback in the Elkwallow picnic area. The driver, W.B., 34, of Front Royal, Virginia, had a maglight-style flashlight between his knees; the passenger, D.H., also of Front Royal, had a .22 caliber rifle between his knees. Following further investigation, the rangers arrested W.B. and charged him with illegal hunting in the park, possession of a firearm, and driving on a suspended license. Routine checks revealed that W.B. is a convicted felon with a long history of convictions for violent crimes. Further charges against him may be lodged. D.H. may not be competent to stand trial. The firearm, vehicle and related items have been seized as evidence. Their disposition will depend upon the results of the trial. (Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 11/5).
Late on the afternoon of April 6th, a youth group from a church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was hiking west on Saddle Trail from the summit of Old Rag Mountain. When they were just below the summit, 15-year-old R.C. ran ahead of the party, took a social trail, and became separated from the group. The minister hiking with the group reported the incident to the park at about 6:30 p.m., and search efforts including confinement, attraction and dispatch of hasty teams to the field were begun immediately. Because R.C. suffered from a chronic medical problem and because of the history of injuries occurring in that area, the park geared up for a major search effort on Sunday, April 7th. At about 8 a.m., park forest ecologist Tom Blount found R.C. in a cliff area near the mountain. R.C. said that he realized that the trail he'd taken was not the correct path, but that darkness had overtaken him before he could return. Realizing the hazards of the area, he'd chosen to stay put overnight. R.C. was uninjured. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/8]
Park dispatch received a report of a structural fire in the concessioner-owned Bridesburg Cabin at Big Meadows Lodge at 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon of the 7th. The Central District fire brigade responded with two engines and found the exterior siding, a portion of the front porch, and the surrounding leaf litter in flames. The fire was knocked down within two minutes. Damage is estimated at about $400. The cause is under investigation. Neither accidental ignition nor arson have been ruled out as of yet. Although the cabin was unoccupied at the time, guests had stayed there the previous night. There were no injuries. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/8]
K.B., 23, of Warrenton, Virginia, was driving her 1990 Ford pickup southbound on a section of Skyline Drive which is under construction on the evening of the 26th when she lost control of the vehicle, which skidded sideways, struck a concrete barrier, flipped several times and came to rest against some trees. K.B. and her passenger, J.E., also of Warrenton, were both ejected from the vehicle. K.B. was taken to a hospital in Luray, where she was treated for multiple injuries and released; J.E., however, suffered multiple serious traumatic injuries and was flown to the Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, where he's reported to be in fair condition. Charges may follow, pending a complete investigation by the park staff. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Neither occupant appears to have been wearing a seatbelt. A park EMT suffered a needlestick injury during the incident when a used IV needle penetrated a disposal container. Information regarding the exposure incident and the container will be distributed once an investigation is completed. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 5/28]
Late yesterday afternoon, rangers received a report that there was a man with a gun at Big Meadows campground registration station who said he was going to kill himself. When they arrived at the scene, they found 52-year-old T.S. of Piney Point, Maryland, sitting in his car; while talking with him, T.S. grabbed a revolver from within his vehicle and threatened to shoot himself. Crisis intervention personnel and trained negotiators were brought to the scene to persuade T.S. to give us his weapon and a Park Police SWAT team was summoned. Rangers had evacuated some nearby campers when the incident began; before the Park Police team arrived, however, they decided to clear the rest of the campground. Just as this effort was beginning a little after 10:00 p.m., Shepherd drove his car out of the campground and headed north on Skyline Drive. A roadblock was established by Park Police officers, and rangers made a felony car stop at the roadblock. Negotiations were begun and went on until a few minutes past midnight when T.S. fired three shots, none of which hit anyone. Negotiations were again resumed. At 5:05 a.m. this morning, T.S. voluntarily gave himself up. He was not hurt, but one of the dogs with him had been hit by one of the shots he'd fired earlier. T.S. will undergo psychiatric evaluation. The park will be filing several criminal charges against him. Assisting the park were units from the U.S. Park Police, Virginia State Police, Madison and Greene County Sheriffs Departments, and regional SET and ARM teams and personnel from several parks who were attending a law enforcement refresher in Shenandoah. [Telephone report from Bob Reid, RAD/MARO, to Jack Schamp, RAD/WASO, 6/19; telefaxed report from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/20]
Further information on the confrontation which took place in the park yesterday has been received in this office. The Park Police team which went to the park included the SWAT team commander, a hostage negotiator and uniformed officers for perimeter security, all of whom were flown to the scene by a USPP helicopter, and a SWAT team and mobile headquarters, both of which were driven to the park. After T.S.'s van was stopped at mile post 44, negotiations began between T.S. and the police negotiator. As perimeter security around the van was tightened at 10:30 p.m., T.S., with gun in hand, turned his flashlight on a SWAT officer. The officer, fearing for his life, fired three shots at T.S., all of which struck the van. T.S. gave himself up voluntarily just after 5:00 a.m. He is being held for observation in a hospital in Stanton, Virginia. [Report from Jack Schamp, RAD/WASO, 6/20]
On the afternoon of June 24th, the park received a report that there was a body lying along the side of Jewell Hollow Road, a dirt road which intersects with a highway a half mile above park headquarters. Responding rangers found a body of a woman in her late 20's wrapped in a sheet. After closing the road to protect the crime scene, the FBI and state police were summoned to assist in the investigation. They determined that the victim had been shot at least twice, and spent shell casings were found nearby. The victim has not been identified, but investigators did find that she was wearing a 1979 class ring from a school in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The investigation continues. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/24]
The investigation of the murder of the woman whose body was found in the park on the 24th is being conducted jointly by the park, the Virginia State Police and the FBI. The victim has been identified as D.V.R,, 30, of Oxon Hill, Maryland. An autopsy of her remains led to the discovery of four bullets, all .45 caliber. Investigators identified R.J.R. as the prime suspect in the case. R.J.R. attempted to commit suicide by means of a drug overdose shortly after the murder and left a note admitting to the killing. Investigators also found a rental car with blood in it and a weapon of the same caliber as the once used in the murder. R.J.R. is currently in a coma in a Washington hospital, but is expected to live. It is unclear where the killing took place, but all indications are that it was in the park. An arrest warrant for R.J.R. has been issued. Washington Metro PD officers responding to the report of R.J.R.'s attempted suicide found several weapons in the rental car the .45 automatic with over 100 rounds, an AK47 with a 75-round magazine and three extra 30-round clips, and a 9 mm automatic. Each of the three guns was fully loaded and cocked, with a round in the chamber and the safety off. [Telefax report from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/28]
K.E., 83, of Uhrichsville, Ohio, lost control of his vehicle and drove over a 30foot embankment on Skyline Drive on the afternoon of August 22nd. K.E. was severely injured in the accident. Park medics and medical personnel from a rescue helicopter provided advanced life support for over an hour before a doctor at the University of Virginia Hospital ordered them to cease treatment and declared him dead. K.E.' grandson, who was a passenger, was injured only slightly. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 8/23]
Just after 6:30 p.m. on August 21st, park VIP's Amy Eghott and Amanda Allen were traveling down Tanners Ridge Road, a state secondary road which connects to a park administrative road, when they observed a fire in a residence immediately west of the park boundary. They reported it to an off-duty ranger, who in turn reported it to the park. Engines from the park and the Stanley volunteer fire department responded. The area has no developed water system, so the park's engine was used to shuttle water to the Stanley attack engines. The residence was destroyed, but other structures were protected. The park engine was also utilized to foam down the remains of the structure and prevent rekindling. No injuries or equipment damage were reported. The fire is being investigated by the local sheriff's department. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 8/22]
Over a period of several days toward the end of August, approximately 20 vehicle breakins and larcenies occurred in the park. During the subsequent investigation, two possible suspects A.C. and A.C., both 19 and residents of Harrisonburg, Virginia and a suspect vehicle a white 1978 Ford Mustang (Virginia QPN183) were identified. On the afternoon of August 23rd, rangers contacted one of the two suspects at Swift Run entrance station, where he had sought medical attention for a bee sting. He consented to a search of the vehicle, and rangers subsequently found and seized several items which had been reported as stolen in the breakins. Both A.C. and A.C. were then arrested and interviewed. One of the men confessed to their involvement in approximately 15 of the larcenies. Several screwdrivers, a coat hanger and a rubber hammer wrapped with tape were also recovered. The pair employed various MO's, including punching out locks, breaking windows, and jimmying locks with the coat hanger and screwdriver. In most cases, they passed up valuables and took only cash or credit cards along with miscellaneous items. Most of the property taken had been left in plain view, while some had been hidden under the vehicles' front seats. Most of the larcenies occurred in the late afternoon or early evening hours. [Telefax from Glen Knight, SHEN, 8/26]
Just before midnight on September 14th, N.B., 24, a resident of Warrenton, Virginia, and a volunteer EMT with a Fauquier County rescue squad, contacted the Fauquier County sheriff's office by fire/rescue radio and reported that an unknown individual had fired two shots at his 1982 Chevrolet pickup while he'd been driving between Hughes River Gap and Mary's Rock Tunnel on Skyline Drive. The sheriff's department notified park dispatch, and rangers Helen McNutt, Tim Alley, Linda Crouch, Robert Martin and David Bauer responded. They found two holes similar to those made by firearms in the windshield; the truck's rear window had been destroyed. N.B. was not injured. While McNutt interviewed him, the others closed the section of road on which the incident had allegedly occurred and swept the area several times for suspects and evidence. Their efforts were hampered, however, by a dense fog which covered that section of the park and did not lift until dawn. The rangers were then able to make a thorough search of the area. No evidence was found, so the drive was reopened to traffic at 7:40 a.m. on the 15th. The investigation continues. [Telefaxed report from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 9/16]
During the early morning hours of October 10th, a 37-year-old woman suffering from a beating and knife wounds in her hands was found on Skyline Drive. Investigators subsequently learned that she'd been abducted from suburban Baltimore, Maryland, driven to the park, and sexually assaulted at knife point. She eventually fought off her attacker, but suffered the knife wounds in the process. Her assailant left her on the side of the drive and fled the scene in an unknown direction. There are no suspects yet, but an interagency investigation is underway. [Telefax from Glen Knight, CI, SHEN, 10/11]
C.R., 34, a visitor from Switzerland, was severely injured on October 20th when a falling tree struck her while she was watching the water fall at Dark Hollow. C.R. was hit on the top of the head and suffered compression fractures of the upper vertebrae, head injuries, a lacerated kidney, a fractured pelvis, and internal injuries. She is paralyzed from the chest down. The tree broke at the ground and fell diagonally; only the top five feet crossed the trail. Two weeks earlier, the park had removed 99 hazardous trees from the trail, but this one was not thought to be dangerous because of its distance (30 feet) from the trail and because it stood among other trees. Hundreds of trees killed by gypsy moths can be found along many of the park's trails. The incident occurred on the busiest day of the fall color season. There were 12,000 vehicles in the park and traffic was bumper-to-bumper. At the time of the incident, Central district rangers were also dealing with a heart attack and a carry-out of an injured 67-year-old female. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 10/21]
A backcountry ranger discovered an illegal bear trap while on patrol in the Grindstone area of the park on the afternoon of December 7th. This area, which is situated on the west side of the Central District, is one of the most remote and rugged areas of the park. Numerous ATV trails were also observed leading into the area from private land. The culvert type trap was baited with the remains of a deer carcass. When the trap was checked again on the morning of the 8th, it was found to contain a live bear. Around the clock surveillance of the location was begun at this time. Because of the are's remoteness, law enforcement safety concerns and the unknown length of surveillance time required, a regional SET team was requested and was dispatched to the park. Just after noon on the 9th, a male approached the trap carrying a plastic bag of apples. The man, who was identified as V.C., a local resident, was arrested. V.C. has been suspected of numerous poaching and illegal hunting incidents over the past 10 to 15 years. He will be charged with illegal taking of wildlife, possession of a firearm, and off-road vehicle use; other charges may be filed pending the outcome of an investigation which is now underway. Seized during the arrest was a loaded firearm, a four-wheel ATV, and a 1978 Chevy pickup. Attempts are being made to obtain a search warrant for his residence. [Telefax from Glen Knight, SHEN, 12/10]
Just after 11 p.m. on the evening of April 7th, ranger William Cardwell was awakened at his residence by the sound of his dogs barking. When he went outdoors to investigate, he heard loud voices, shouting and what seemed to be an argument in progress in a wooded area on park property across the road from his house. He saw three or four individuals leave the wooded area and enter property under the jurisdiction of the town of Front Royal. The argument appeared to continue and seemed to escalate; Cardwell then heard about ten gunshots in rapid succession and immediately notified Front Royal police. While awaiting the arrival of police back-up, Cardwell observed several vehicles leaving the area. Front Royal officers subsequently discovered D.D., 18, of Wheaton, Maryland, in an area of town jurisdiction near Criser Road. D.D. had received multiple gunshot wounds and later died of his injuries. The park is assisting the Front Royal police in their investigation of the murder. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/8]
On the morning of April 20th, more than 50 vehicles were involved in two chain-reaction collisions in heavy fog on Interstate 64 on Afton Mountain near the parkway. Two people were killed and about 40 people were taken to at least four area hospitals with a variety of injuries. Rangers and park maintenance personnel from both Shenandoah and Blue Ridge responded and provided assistance with traffic control. Responding from Blue Ridge were rangers Bruce Bytnar, Allan Morris and Paula Rakes and maintenance workers David Clark, Roger Jenkins and Patrick Morrison. [CompuServe message from Larry Freeman, BLRI, 4/20]
While attempting to locate a person wanted by Naval Intelligence for desertion who was purportedly residing in the park's backcountry, ranger Bob Martin contacted D.W. of Hollywood, California, at the summit of Mary's Rock. Since a person matching the description of the deserter had been spotted at the location earlier in the day, Martin questioned D.W. in hopes of obtaining relevant information. Martin became suspicious of D.W. while talking with him, however, and asked for a routine NCIC check through park dispatch. D.W. was found to be wanted on charges of grand and petit larceny and criminal mischief stemming from the burglary of a construction site in New York. Martin and ranger Cliff Spencer arrested D.W. and transported him to a state facility, where he's being held pending issuance of the warrant from New York. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 4/30]
Just after midnight on April 27th, ranger Clayton Jordan received a report of a person missing in the park. D.D. was to have returned home on the afternoon of the 26th after picking mushrooms in the park, but failed to return. Jordan found D.D.'s car in the Loft Mountain Wayside and conducted a preliminary search of the area. Formal search efforts were begun shortly thereafter. Rangers requested dog teams and a helicopter, and a medical and evacuation team was put together and placed on standby. D.D. was located in good condition near the Loft Mountain campground at 6:35 a.m. that morning. [Telefax from Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/30]
On May 5th, V.R.C. of Stanley, Virginia, pled guilty to illegally trapping a black bear in the park and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, a year of supervised probation, a two-year ban on entering the park, a $100 fine and loss of all hunting privileges for a year. V.R.C. was also ordered to forfeit his Suzuki 4x4 ATV ($4,399 replacement value) and a .38 caliber handgun to the government; both were in his possession during the incident. The jail sentence will be suspended pending V.R.C.'s successful completion of the probation period. The conviction stems from an incident which occurred last December in which V.R.C. was arrested while returning to an illegally set culvert trap in the park's Grindstone Mountain area. Rangers had discovered the illegal trap on December 7th and had found a 200-pound bear in the trap upon returning to the site. V.R.C. was apprehended on the 9th as he returned to the trap with 22 pounds of apples for bait. The black bear was released after park biologists found that he was in good condition. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 5/19]
On April 28th, the park received a report that F.S.W., a deserter from the Navy, might be living in the park. Although his presence could not be confirmed, several burglaries involving theft of food from the Panorama Wayside and homes along the park boundary suggested that he might have been the burglar, and local media interest in the story increased markedly earlier this month. Rangers in the park's North District and Rappahannock County deputies investigated the incidents and spent many hours trying to locate the elusive F.S.W. On June 6th, ranger Dave Bauer discovered an informal trail that showed frequent use while he was patrolling the Butterwood Branch Trail. He followed it to a camp, where he found and arrested F.S.W. pursuant to a warrant for AWOL issued by U.S. Naval Intelligence. Federal charges will also be sought against F.S.W. for the two burglaries which occurred in the park. State charges are pending. [Telefax from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/8]
On the evening of May 9th, rangers Cliff Spencer and Tom Parrack responded to a report of a fight in progress in the Big Meadows Campground and arrested R.C., Jr., 24, and M.R., 24, both of Hyattsville, Maryland, for disorderly conduct and public intoxication. R.C. subsequently attempted to kick out one of the windows of a patrol vehicle, and tried to kick Spencer in the groin while being restrained. Spencer, a defensive tactics instructor, deflected the kick and instinctively struck R.C. once on the shin with a flashlight. R.C. became compliant and caused no further trouble. An additional charge of felony assault on a federal police officer was lodged against him. On June 11th, both men appeared in magistrate's court. R.C. pled guilty to misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication and was sentenced to a year's probation and a $450 fine; M.R. pled guilty to disorderly conduct and public intoxication and was sentenced to a year's probation and a $150 fine. [cc:Mail report from Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/16]
On the afternoon of June 27th, the park received a report from a member of a University of Virginia hiking party stating that the group had encountered a man near the summit of Old Rag who had fallen 20 feet off a ledge and had sustained a lumbar fracture and numerous abrasions to his face and back. The members of the party, most of whom were EMTs, stabilized the victim, 57-year-old C.F., and provided advanced life support. C.F. remained coherent throughout the ordeal, and his vital signs remained within non-life threatening ranges. A dozen rangers and a park medic responded to Old Rag and prepared C.F. for air evacuation by a Park Police helicopter. He was lifted by hoists, then flown to the University of Virginia hospital in Charlottesville. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/29]
A four-and-a-half month investigation concluded on July 27th with the arrest of H.R. at his rural Rappahannock county residence on charges of cultivation of marijuana in the park. Central District rangers, accompanied by three members of a local drug task force, executed both arrest and search warrants and seized over 70 items of evidence and contraband, including marijuana plants, small quantities of hashish and packaged marijuana, other drugs, and many items connected with H.R.' indoor growing operations. Nine other plants were harvested at a plot H.R. had been cultivating in the park. The incident began in March when rangers discovered the plot. A follow-up investigation led to the installation of a surveillance camera overlooking the plot. The warrants were obtained after H.R. was twice captured on video tending plants and other probable cause information was developed and confirmed. [Glen Knight, CI, SHEN, 7/28]
Around 8:30 p.m. on the evening of July 25th, ranger Raymond O'Neil contacted a man driving a 1986 Buick in the parking lot of Loft Mountain Wayside, a concession gift shop and cafeteria on Skyline Drive. O'Neil ran a check on the vehicle; as information came back that it had been stolen from New York state, the man fled into the woods west of the Wayside. The area was confined and a search was initiated. Evidence found in the car and derived from additional investigation indicated that the man was R.H., 34, of Essex Junction, Vermont, an escapee from the Vermont penal system, and that active warrants were on file for him for burglary and escape. Vermont state police reported that this was R.H.'s fourth escape, and that each time he had been able to elude authorities in wooded areas, then had moved quickly out of those areas. During one escape, R.H. was able to elude authorities for five months. Investigators also determined that O'Neil had encountered R.H. as he was attempting to break into the Wayside. The search was continued into the following day, and employed five police dogs, a helicopter, 16 rangers, and five Rockingham County deputies. Rangers twice encountered R.H. in the Big Run drainage west of Loft Mountain during the afternoon. On each occasion, they were able to get within 100 feet of him, but R.H. was able to elude them in rugged terrain and thick vegetation. The last encounter was within several hundred feet of the park's west boundary. Rangers subsequently learned that a vehicle had been stolen outside the park less than a half mile from the point where he'd last been seen, and all indications are that he has fled the area. An investigation is still underway, but active search efforts have been terminated. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 7/26 and 8/6]
Late on Sunday, August 9th, a family friend of S.H. and his wife J.M. called the FAA and reported that they were overdue from a flight from Hanover, Virginia, to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The CAP sent out aircraft at 1:00 a.m. the following morning, and state police soon found the couple's vehicle at the Hanover airport. Inside the car were computer printouts for an alternate flight route that would have taken them directly over the park. A CAP plane which flew the route on Monday afternoon located the wreckage southeast of the north summit of Mount Marshall in the park. Rangers reached the scene, which was about 300 yards east of the Appalachian Trail, shortly thereafter and found that both S.H. and J.M. had been killed in the crash. The park, FAA, NTSB and state police are investigating. They are checking the possibility that the pilot may have flown the alternate route to avoid bad weather. Salvage of the aircraft is scheduled to being today. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 8/11 and 8/17]
On the morning of September 15th, rangers began a stakeout of a vehicle parked along Skyline Drive. The vehicle and its occupants had been seen along the drive on several occasions over the preceding three days, and illegal activity was suspected. That afternoon, three individuals dressed in camouflage were seen searching through the understory along the Appalachian Trail. At about 5 p.m., the rangers saw three individuals - W.R. and J.R. and J.C., all from Charlottesville and in their late 50s - approach the vehicle; each had bulging pants pockets and was carrying bulging plastic containers. The trio were found to be in possession of numerous soiled screwdrivers, soiled bags, 63 freshly dug ginseng roots (a threatened species in Virginia), and over two and a quarter pounds of dried ginseng. The total market value of the 463 ginseng roots was placed at approximately $700. All three were issued mandatory appearance citations for violations of 36 CFR 2.1, and may face Lacey Act and other charges pending consultation with the U.S. attorney. [Glen Knight, LES, SHEN, 9/17]
Late on the afternoon of October 2nd, visitors found M.P., 29, of Keswick, Virginia, in a vehicle at Bacon Hollow overlook on Skyline Drive. M.P. apparently died of a gunshot wound, and suicide is suspected. An investigation is underway. [Mary Lowe, PIO, SHEN, 10/2]
Just after midnight on October 14th, rangers were notified that C.R., an 18-year-old concession employee, was in respiratory distress at the Skyland dormitory. Although C.R. had been given oxygen, the first rangers on scene had to assist C.R. with respirations until other rangers arrived with the district's ambulance. A medevac helicopter was called in, and C.R. was transported to the University of Virginia for treatment. Investigators learned that C.R. was using a combination of ammonia and bleach to clean the dormitory restroom when he became overcome by fumes. Other occupants of the dorm discovered him and got him out of the area. The entire dormitory had been evacuated before rangers arrived on scene. C.R. is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 10/16]
Just before 4 p.m. on the afternoon of October 25th, park dispatch received a report of smoke in the Loft Mountain Wayside store. Rangers and two local fire departments responded. They found that the building, which was packed with fall foliage season visitors, was rapidly filling with smoke and that it was being evacuated in good order. The source of the smoke was determined to be a malfunctioning electric heater in the basement. The small fire was extinguished and the building was ventilated. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated to be under $500. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 10/26]
On June 24, 1992, park visitors found the body of D.R. near the junction of Jewel Hollow Road and Route 211. Park and state police investigators identified R.J.R. as the prime suspect in her death and subsequently arrested him on murder charges. On October 16th, R.J.R. appeared in district court in Charlottesville and pleaded guilty to a federal charge of second degree homicide. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison without possibility of parole. R.J.R. claims that he committed five other homicides in Virginia, and state police are looking into those cases. [Ken Johnson and Glen Knight, CI, SHEN, 10/27]
A major SAR operation concluded successfully yesterday when searchers found 12-year-old D.W. alive and well. D.W. was part of a church group hiking on the Saddle Trail on Old Rag Mountain on Saturday, November 7th, when he went on ahead of his group and became separated from them. When the group returned to their vehicle, they found that D.W. was not there. Upon learning that he was missing, the park placed containment teams at key locations and dispatched hasty teams to search the area. Temperatures that night fell into the teens and a light dusting of snow fell on the area. On Sunday, more than 100 searchers, 14 search dogs and two helicopters from a dozen agencies were employed in the search effort, but came up with no clues. Temperatures dropped to about 20 degrees that night. A Park Police helicopter, additional search dogs and searchers, MAR's Type 2 all-risk management team (under Brion Fitzgerald), and two regional special events teams were called in on Monday to augment existing searchers; some were still en route when D.W. was found alive and in fairly good condition at a containment point at 11:30 a.m. He was taken to a medical facility for attention. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 11/10]
During a routine traffic stop on Skyline Drive at 5:30 a.m. on November 7th, rangers found two strung compound bows in the back seat of a 1990 Jeep being driven by T.L., 21, of Winchester, Virginia. When questioned, T.L. and his passenger, M.B., 18, both denied having any other weapon upon them or within the vehicle. The rangers, however, spotted a hunting knife on the vehicle's floorboard and a long object covered with a coat on the front seat. The latter turned out to be a 30-30 hunting rifle loaded with three shells, one of which was in the chamber. The rangers also found a pipe with some residue, believed to be a controlled substance. The two were charged with hunting, possession of a weapon (bow), and possession of a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle. T.L. was also charged with operating a vehicle without an operator's permit and possession of a controlled substance. [Dave Bauer, SHEN, 11/7]
On November 16th, the first day of deer rifle-hunting season in Virginia, three hunters were caught hunting white-tail deer well within the park's boundaries. C.H., 42, of Culpepper, and A.C., 30, of Rapidan, were cited for hunting in the park and had their weapons confiscated. C.H.'s son, age 13, was also in possession of a weapon and hunting with his father, but was not cited. When the group first saw ranger Bob Martin, who was in full camouflage, they immediately unloaded their rifles in a covert manner. When Martin contacted them, they immediately stated that they didn't know they were in the park. After securing their weapons, Martin escorted them to the location where they said they'd entered the park, and found that the boundary markings in the area were clearly posted. According to C.H., the trio had hunted in the park for nearly three hours. [Bob Martin, DR, SHEN, 11/16]
On the evening of November 19th, rangers came upon an unoccupied vehicle without license plates in the White Oak Canyon trailhead parking lot. A computer check of the vehicle's identification number indicated that the registered owner was K.R.J., 24, of Flint, Michigan. Further investigation revealed that K.R.J. was known to be suicidal. A hasty search was begun, but was hampered by dense fog and freezing drizzle. At 5 p.m. on the 20th, a visitor reported that K.R.J. was near the upper falls, about a mile and a half east of Skyland Lodge. When contacted, K.R.J. told rangers that he'd just ingested 10 sleeping pills and up to 400 aspirin tablets. He was stabilized by park EMTs and taken to a local hospital, where he is currently listed in guarded but stable condition. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 11/23]
On the morning of November 21st, ranger Russell Jensen received a report of a man dressed like a hunter standing in the upper Hawksbill Mountain trailhead parking area. Although he found no one present in the area, Jensen staked out the only vehicle in the lot, a 1989 Honda with Alaska tags. Shortly thereafter, he observed a male fitting the description carrying a dead doe out of the woods. The man was arrested without incident. Numerous charges, including hunting in the park, have been filed against him. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 11/21]
On December 12th, rangers Tim Alley and Mike Larsen observed two men - T.S. and J.S., both of Stanardsville, Virginia - dragging what appeared to be two deer as they exited a remote section of the park's Central District. Investigation revealed that the two were actually in possession of three large bucks - a six point, a nine point and a ten point. T.S. confessed to killing all three in the park. The three deer, two 30-06 rifles and several other items of evidence were seized. The pair will be charged with illegal hunting and weapons violations. [Glen Knight, CI, SHEN, 12/12]
On January 14th, W.V., 26, of Centerville, Virginia, plead guilty in magistrate's court to hunting and weapons violations which occurred in the park last November. He was fined $750 and ordered to pay $500 to the park's wildlife protection fund as the replacement cost for the female white tail deer that he shot in the Hawksbill Mountain area of the park on November 12th. W.V. was also sentenced to two years' probation, ordered to forfeit his Remington 870 shotgun to the park, banned from all national parks for two years, and banned from hunting for one year. Several shotgun shells were located near the kill site, and a state crime lab subsequently linked them to W.V.'s weapon. A group of 20 Boy Scouts was camping in the area where W.V. shot the deer. [Bob Martin, Acting DR, SHEN, 1/21]
T.S., 37, and his cousin J.S., 26, both of Stanardsville, Virginia, plead guilty to hunting, Lacey Act and state bag limit laws and weapons violations in magistrate's court on January 14th. The S. were fined a total of $3,800; $1,500 of this amount constituted replacement costs for three large white tail bucks which T.S. shot in the park on December 12th and will go to the park's wildlife protection fund. The S.s were each sentenced to six months' incarceration on each charge, suspended pending successful completion of two years' probation, lost their hunting privileges for a year, and were banned from all national parks for two years. T.S. also forfeited his Remington 760 rifle. The two men were discovered dragging the bucks out of the park near Saddleback Mountain. Several spent .30-.06 shells were found near the kill site and were positively matched with T.S.'s rifle by the state crime lab. [Bob Martin, Acting DR, SHEN, 1/21]
Last July, rangers arrested H.R. at his residence in rural Rappahannock county on Title 21 charges of cultivating marijuana in the park. The arrests followed a four-and-a-half month investigation. H.R. pled guilty to one felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance in federal court in October; on January 22nd, he was sentenced to five years' probation, a $1,000 fine, and six months community confinement. [Glen Knight, CI, SHEN, 1/27]
On the afternoon of February 20th, W.B.S., 20, of Fort Washington, Maryland, dislocated the patella of his right knee while hiking on a rugged section of the Ridge Trail near the summit of Old Rag Mountain with a group from a local university. An EMT in the party provided initial medical treatment and stabilized W.B.S.'s injury. A ranger reached W.B.S. by 6:15 p.m. and reported that the entire trail was treacherous due to ice and that carry-out efforts would be extremely difficult. Due to impending nightfall, the rugged, icy terrain, and a forecast for snow and freezing rain the following morning, the incident commander requested assistance from Eagle I, the Park Police helicopter. The helicopter arrived at about 9:30 p.m. and employed a rescue net and hoist to extricate W.B.S. and transport him to a hospital in the D.C. area. [Bob Martin, Acting DR, SHEN, 2/22]
On February 22nd, W.R., J.C.R. and J.W.C., all of Charlottesville, Virginia, pled guilty in federal court to charges of digging and possessing ginseng roots in the park in violation of the Lacey Act and 36 CFR. Following a stakeout operation on September 15, 1992, the trio were found to be in possession of 70 freshly dug ginseng roots and over two and one-quarter pounds of dried ginseng roots. The total market value of the ginseng was placed at approximately $700. W.R. was sentenced to a $500 fine and one year's probation, which includes a one year ban from entering the park. J.C.R. and J.W.C. were each sentenced to a $250 fine and six months probation, which includes a six month ban on entering the park. American ginseng is listed as a threatened species in Virginia. [Bob Martin, Acting DR, SHEN, 2/26]
A major winter ice storm struck the higher altitudes of the park's Central District yesterday. A total of 2.8 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours along with hail, sleet, snow, freezing rain, and gusting winds; at the time of the report, the storm was still underway. Heavy ice build-up (more than an inch) has caused major tree and limb fall, and heavy rains at lower altitudes have caused flooding. The storm has also inflicted structural damage on employee housing and created hazardous road and trail conditions. The significant number of falling trees and limbs made it unsafe for sawyers to work to keep roads opened; it's estimated that months of extensive clearing and cleanup will be required to reopen trails. Power outages occurred in some locations and were expected to continue. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 3/4]
A major search is underway for two adults and six eighth-graders from the Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, who have been missing since they were last seen heading out on a hike in the park's South District on Thursday. The blizzard which struck the area on Saturday deposited several feet of snow on the park, and high winds blew the snow into drifts up to 20 feet deep. Plows attempted to reach the group's van, which is still parked where it was left at Brown's Gap Overlook, but were unable to make the six miles from Route 33 to the overlook despite concerted efforts. A Blackhawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir was brought in yesterday afternoon to look for the group; although visibility was good, the crew saw no signs of the party. The hikers are said to have tents, survival bags and lots of food. Additional resources will be brought in this morning and search efforts will be expanded. [Chris Andress, RAD/MARO, and Sandy Rives, SHEN, 3/14]
More reports have been received regarding the impacts of the "Blizzard of '93" on East Coast areas: * Shenandoah - Rangers and snowplows evacuated many backcountry campers and lodge guests during the storm, but the huge drifts that later formed throughout the park have marooned park residents at Piney River, Big Meadows and Skyland. Efforts to open roads to those locations met with little success on Sunday, but were to resume yesterday. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN; Brion Fitzgerald, ASIS; Dwight Dixon, HOBE; 3/15]
Late Sunday evening, rangers in a snowcat entered the lower end of Big Run drainage and moved along the Big Run Portal Trail in an effort to find the two adults and six youths who'd been reported missing in the park. This was a high priority search area because it was part of the group's planned route. Around midnight, the rangers found the missing hikers. All were in good condition. They were to be evacuated yesterday. Had the search with the snowcat been unsuccessful, plans were being prepared to bring in a Park Police helicopter, another National Guard helicopter, and dozens of trained nordic ski patrol and mountain rescue personnel. Snowplows finally reached the group's vehicle at Brown's Gap Overlook at 7:30 p.m. on the 14th; it took a total of nine hours to cover the 12 miles from Route 33 to the overlook. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 3/15]
Park crews are continuing to dig out from the "Blizzard of '93." About half of Skyline Drive has been opened, but segments remain closed due to five- to ten-foot drifts which still lie across the road. Since the storm, rain has fallen on the area and frozen. The earliest that remaining closed portions will be open to public use will be this Friday. Trails at higher elevations are still closed due to snow and limbs and trees that fell during the March 5th ice storm. The park concession has reopened at Skylands and Big Meadows. The storm did some minor damage to houses and guest cabins, and a sprinkler system failure occurred at Skyland Lodge. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 3/23]
While hiking on the Saddle Trail on Old Rag Mountain on the afternoon of April 18th, 18-year-old B.G. of Washington, D.C., fell a total of 60 feet into a boulder area, with 20 feet of that distance in a straight drop. He suffered a fractured fibula and minor cuts and abrasions. The rescue team assembled a wheeled litter with a safety line attached and lowered B.G. down to the trail below. He was taken to a local hospital, where his current condition is unknown. Ranger Laurie Shannon was IC on the incident. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 4/19]
D.H., 55, of Falls Church, Virginia, suffered a broken right ankle after sliding down a rock while hiking the Ridge Trail on Old Rag Mountain on April 17th. Because of the victim's weight and the difficulty of the terrain, rangers summoned Eagle I, the Park Police helicopter, to extricate and evacuate D.H.. A Park Police paramedic was lowered to D.H., who was treated, packaged, and flown to a nearby landing zone. D.H.'s party then took him to a hospital in Warrenton. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 4/19]
While conducting a surveillance operation in the Little Creek area on April 17th, ranger Rusty Jensen observed a man in full camouflage carrying a long gun inside the park. Jensen identified himself, but the man - later identified as 31-year-old J.C. of Jollett Hollow - refused to drop his weapon despite several commands to do so. J.C. suddenly turned and ran away from Jensen, but Jensen chased and caught him and issued him a mandatory appearance violation notice for hunting in the park. J.C.'s loaded 12-gauge shotgun and five turkey calls were confiscated. J.C. will also be charged with interfering with an agency function, possession of a loaded weapon in the park, and hunting without a valid state hunting license in his possession. Forfeiture of the weapon will be sought. April 17th was the first day of the state's spring gobbler turkey season. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 4/17]
J.G., 23, of Westville, New Jersey, was driving his Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Skyline Drive around noon on April 24th when he left the road on a curve, struck a highway sign (fourth of four curve chevrons), and hit a tree. Park medics and county rescue squad cardiac technicians attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead by medical command based upon patient assessment information radioed in while en route to the hospital. Rangers are investigating the possibility that speed was the primary factor in the accident. Ranger Janice Pauley is the lead investigator. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/24]
Just before 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 9th, C.E. notified the park that his five children had become lost while hiking down the Ridge Trail on Old Rag Mountain. The children, who ranged in age from eight to 16, had run ahead of him during the descent; when C.E. reached the trailhead parking area, none of them were there. A two-person hasty team and containment units were deployed overnight. At first light, four dog teams from Mid-Atlantic DOGS, five searchers from the Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference and 14 park employees joined the search effort. One tracking dog followed a scent for about a half mile from the point last seen, at which point the handler heard a whistle from the lost party, made verbal contact with them, then climbed down a small drainage to them. All were okay and hiked out to the trailhead to meet their family. They apparently tried to take a short cut off the established trail and became lost in the process. A number of similar cases have occurred recently in the Old Rag Mountain area, so the park is working on a public information and contact plan to reduce these instances of off-trail hikes which become searches. Laurie Shannon was IC on the incident. [Greg Stiles, Acting CR, SHEN, 5/12]
The park began a search for Washington, D.C., police officer M.M., 38, of Bladensburg, Maryland, after discovering his unlocked car at Timber Hollow overlook on the evening of May 27th. M.M. had been reported missing by his family the day before. An envelope with a suicide note was discovered in the vehicle. D.C. police were notified, and informed the park that M.M. had been AWOL from work since failing to show up for an interview regarding a suspicious fire in the property room where he worked. On May 31st, a park volunteer discovered M.M.'s body several hundred yards west of the Appalachian Trail and adjacent to the overlook where his vehicle was parked. Initial investigation has led investigators to believe that M.M. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The park is working closely with D.C. police in their on-going criminal investigation. [Tim Alley, CI, SHEN, 6/1]
Just before 5 p.m. on June 9th, a Pontiac Grand Am driven by 18-year-old R.W. of Annapolis, Maryland, failed to negotiate a curve while heading southbound on Skyline Drive, crossed the center line, and struck a Ford van in an angulated head-on fashion. The van was occupied by one adult and twelve children between ages 12 and 14 from Far Horizons, a privately run adventure program based in Orange, Texas. R.W. and his two juvenile passengers were severely trapped and suffered critical trauma; the driver of the van and eleven of the children suffered varying degrees of injury, ranging from a fractured jaw to lacerations, muscle strains and bruises. The three occupants of the Grand Am were extricated and transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center's Level I Trauma Center in Charlottesville. Two were taken by the center's helicopter; the third was scheduled to be flown, but had to be taken by ambulance when a severe thunderstorm grounded the helicopter. R.W. subsequently died at the hospital. All of the injured from the van were taken by ambulances to Waynesboro Community Hospital in Waynesboro. The group had been headed to the Washington, D.C., area, and planned to camp overnight at Loft Mountain. The accident is still under investigation by South District rangers. They are looking into the possibility that excessive speed, drugs and alcohol may have been contributing factors. Twelve ambulances, three engines, two light rescue units, and one heavy rescue unit responded from the park and six surrounding communities. Two rangers from Blue Ridge Parkway also responded to the accident. It's believed that this incident involved the largest number of injured patients from a single incident since a commercial air crash in the park in the 1950s. A critical incident stress debriefing has been scheduled. Ranger Clayton Jordan was incident commander. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 6/10]
L.H., 43, of King George, Virginia, was standing on the cliffs near Crescent overlook on the afternoon of August 15th when he lost his footing and fell approximately 100 feet. The incident was witnessed by friends and family. University of Virginia med center doctors advised park medics to cease further medical efforts after a patient assessment was called in to them. It took approximately three hours to remove his body. Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor. [Janice Pauley, SHEN, 8/16]
Over the Columbus Day weekend, during which thousands of visitors came to Shenandoah to see fall foliage along Skyline Drive, the park had to deal with a four-day visit by Vice President Gore (see following incident report), two major automobile accidents, one major rescue, and several instances of significant illness or injury to visitors. The first motor vehicle accident occurred on Saturday, when a driver lost control of his vehicle and went over a 60-foot embankment. Ropes had to be employed to lift the driver back to the road. The park's South District ambulance and two local community ambulances transported five patients to area hospitals. The driver was reportedly sleepy at the time of the accident; an investigation is underway. The second accident occurred on Monday, when another vehicle went over another 60-foot embankment. One victim was evacuated by helicopter, the other two by a local rescue squad. The cause of the accident has not been determined. Skyline Drive was closed for about 45 minutes while the victims were extricated from the vehicle. A major rescue effort took place on Saturday afternoon after a 51-year-old visitor suffered a heart attack near the top of Old Rag. A Park Police helicopter was summoned; five minutes before it arrived, however, a storm passed over the area, making a helicopter evacuation unsafe. A ground evacuation was initiated and completed in the rain and darkness early the following morning, thirteen hours after the heart attack was reported. At last report, the victim was in fair condition. Ambulances were also summoned four times to transport sick visitors, and once to transport a visitor who was injured in a fall from a horse. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 10/12]
Vice President Gore and his family spent the four days from October 8th to the 11th in and around the park. They arrived by helicopter on Friday and spent Saturday at Camp Hoover. On Sunday, the vice president took fly- fishing lessons while his family went horseback riding at Skyland. On Monday, the entire family canoed on the Shenandoah River and visited Luray Caverns before departing by helicopter just before dark. The visit was uneventful. [Larry Hakel, CR, SHEN, 10/12]
An investigation into the November 24th poaching of a white-tail deer in the Powell Mountain area of the park led to charges being filed against S.L.D., Jr., 27, of Elkton, Virginia, for illegal hunting and possession of a loaded weapon within the park. Following the collection of physical evidence at the scene, S.L.D. was interviewed and confessed to shooting a seven-point buck from the road. He is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday. S.L.D.'s 12-gauge shotgun and the deer's rack were taken as evidence and forfeiture may be sought. [Bob Martin, RPS, SHEN, 11/29]
Just before 6 p.m. on March 11th, the park received a report that two students from a Smithsonian Institute Conservation and Research Center study group had failed to return from a data collecting hike on the Knob Mountain trail. The two women - J.E., 25, and B.A.R., 22, both of Philadelphia - had started from Elkwallow Wayside that morning and were to have completed the two-mile circuit and returned to Skyline Drive by 1:30 p.m. Indications were that both women were dressed appropriately for the weather. Afternoon temperatures were in the high 40s to low 50s, but dropped into the teens at night. The area was contained and three search teams were deployed in the Jeremy's Run/Knob Mountain area. Snow cover ranging from six to eighteen inches hampered search efforts, as did stream runoff along the Jeremy's Run trail. Rangers located two sets of footprints in the snow around 7 p.m. and followed them throughout the backcountry area. They found the two women off the Jeremy's Run trail at 2:40 a.m. Both were wet and cold, but were otherwise in good condition. They had to be carried across eight thigh-deep stream crossings while being evacuated. During the search, ranger Janice Pauley lost her footing on glaze ice and slid about 50 feet down the trail before striking a tree and suffering complete fractures of the radius and ulna of her left arm. Pauley was evacuated and taken to a hospital in Luray; she underwent surgery to repair the broken bones at a second hospital. Ranger Bill Cardwell was the incident commander for the search. [Dispatch, SHEN, 3/14]
Around 4 p.m. on March 12th, Richard Jonely, 55, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was on the Appalachian Trail at Marys Rock Mountain, a mile south of Thornton Gap, when he slipped on ice-glazed snow, slid about 150 feet, struck several rocks and logs, and suffered a fractured clavicle and numerous minor injuries. The trail at that point was completely drifted in, with two feet of solid ice and snow on a 45-degree slope. A crew was called in to "cut" a trail across the ice, and employed pulaskis to accomplish the task. The park's technical rescue team then reached, stabilized, packaged and raised Jonely to an ambulance, which took him to Page Memorial Hospital in Luray. While setting up for the technical rescue and just prior to hooking in, ranger Bob Martin slipped and slid 60 feet, striking a tree. He suffered ankle and spinal injuries and was also evacuated to Page Memorial. Because of the two employee injuries in two SAR incidents during the weekend, the park will be reviewing its winter SAR procedures to improve safety measures. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 3/15]
On April 6th, park maintenance employees working on a road sign along Skyline Drive discovered a vehicle with a body in it over a road embankment. Responding rangers identified the vehicle as one associated with 27-year-old T.B. of Winchester, Virginia, who'd been missing since February 22nd. The date and time of the accident is not known, but may have occurred on the day she disappeared. While the death appears to have resulted from the accident, other causes have not been ruled out. The accident occurred on a sharp curve following a long downhill section of the drive. T.B.'s Honda left the road, went airborne between 50 and 75 feet, then struck a large tree. Death was apparently instantaneous. An autopsy was to be conducted yesterday. The investigation is continuing. [Larry Hakel, District Leader, North District, 4/6]
J.H., 19, of Ontario, Canada, slipped and fell approximately 40 feet at Dark Hollow Falls late on the morning of April 20th. The park was notified of the accident within 15 minutes; park medics and an evacuation team responded. Due to the nature of the injury, a helicopter evacuation was deemed appropriate, and the University of Virginia's medevac helicopter was summoned. J.H. was transported on the ground to a point where the helicopter could pick her up. She was then taken to the hospital for reconstructive surgery for tibia and fibula fractures and subsequently released. [Bob Martin, SHEN, 4/22]
On the evening of August 14th, ranger Ken Johnson received a tip from an observant park visitor regarding a possible snake poacher. With the information provided, which included a description of the suspect's vehicle, the vehicle was found, the occupants detained and the vehicle searched. A large rubber storage container with a live timber rattlesnake was found in the vehicle. The driver, L.H., of Charleston, South Carolina, confessed to taking the animal from the roadside along Skyline Drive. According to information provided by the passenger Christopher Lock, also of Charleston, L.H. is an avid snake enthusiast and snake collector. Evidence seized, including a camera, will be analyzed, and a joint investigation with Virginia and South Carolina wildlife law enforcement authorities is underway. L.H. was issued mandatory appearance citations and released. The rattlesnake, approximately three feet long and bearing six to seven rattles, was released and was last seen heading deep into the woods away from Skyline Drive. (Bob Martin, Resource Protection Group Supervisor, SHEN, 8/16)
Rangers responded to a report of a fall with possible head injuries near the summit of Hawksbill Mountain at 2 a.m. on August 16th. They contacted a group of nine juveniles and young adults who were camping in the restricted area near a shelter at Byrds Nest and determined that J.N. of Fairfax, Virginia, had suffered the injuries in a fall of about 40 feet from the summit, but that none of them were life threatening. He was evacuated and taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center by ambulance. Another member of the party, J.M., also of Fairfax, was arrested for public intoxication, and eight others were issued citations for resource, alcohol and controlled substance violations. Twelve rangers from the North and Central Districts responded to the incident. (Central District Leader, SHEN, 8/18)
N.Z., 43, of New York City, was driving his BMW motorcycle on the northbound side of Skyline Drive on the afternoon of October 3rd when he failed to negotiate a curve near milepost 87 and was thrown from the bike into the path of a southbound Crown Victoria operated by Morton Bradski, 76, of Oceanside, California. N.Z. became entrapped under the sedan and had to be extricated by rangers. ALS was begun and continued until rescuers were instructed to cease resuscitation efforts by medical authorities. Bradski was taken to a local hospital, where he was evaluated and released. Rangers are attempting to determine if drugs and excessive speed were contributing factors. A CISD briefing has been scheduled. Rangers from the Statue of Liberty are assisting in efforts to find next of kin. [Clayton Jordan, SPR, SHEN, 10/4]
On November 15th, rangers concluded a two-month-long undercover investigation of illegal drug use and distribution involving concession employees at Skyland Lodge. Based on information and evidence obtained by undercover officers, five felony and one misdemeanor warrants were obtained. Four of these were executed on the 15th. At least 11 individuals are being charged, some on multiple counts. Several consent searches were conducted which lead to the seizure of numerous items of paraphernalia, small quantities of drugs, and burglary tools. The investigation was led and coordinated by Central District investigator Tim Alley; the undercover work was conducted by an NPS investigator from another park and by Park Police officers. The names of those arrested are being withheld at this time. Additional leads developed during the operation are now being pursued in a joint effort with state and local drug units. [Tim Alley, CI, SHEN, 11/16]
On February 7th, G.M. of Grottoes, Virginia, was charged on two counts of illegal hunting in the park, shooting in the park, possession of a weapon in the park, and destruction of natural resources, all of which stemmed from an investigation which involved state and local law enforcement agencies and included surveillance operations and the gathering of significant intelligence information. This was his second arrest for illegal activities in Shenandoah in recent months; last fall, G.M. was charged with hunting and shooting from a vehicle on a park road. This is believed to be the first investigation in the park which has lead to the same person being apprehended twice within a year for separate hunting violations. The recent establishment of four criminal investigator positions in the park has lead to the creation of the intelligence base needed to pursue complex resource cases such as this one. Criminal investigator Skip Wissinger headed the investigation. [Greg Stiles, Leader, R&VPS, SHEN, 2/14]
On June 19, 1991, rangers and Park Police, state and county officers were involved in an armed standoff with T.S. at Big Meadows campground and along Skyline Drive. T.S. had failed to comply with a mental detaining order and employed a handgun to prevent officers from taking him into protective custody. The confrontation lasted about 14 hours. On February 7th, T.S. was sentenced in federal court to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of assault on a federal officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm. T.S. will be incarcerated in a federal prison in North Carolina, where he will resume mental health counseling. [Tim Alley, CI, SHEN, 2/15]
On November 15, 1994, rangers concluded a three-month-long undercover investigation of illegal drug use and distribution at Skyland Lodge with the filing of charges against 14 people, all of whom were concessions employees at the time of the investigation. Since then, those charges have led to five felony and 21 misdemeanor convictions. Sentences have ranged from periods of incarceration of from three to six months followed by supervised probation for three years to fines of from $200 to $500 with year-long probationary periods. The covert aspects of the investigation were carried out by New River Gorge criminal investigator Tony Liquori and Park Police officers Kevin Fornshill and Christine Hodakievic. Several follow-up investigations by state and local agencies are underway. [Tim Alley, CI, SHEN, 5/1]
Thunderstorms which struck the area and remained stationary for about eight hours on June 27th, dropped a total of ten or more inches of rain on the park and nearby communities. There were numerous flash floods in Madison and Green counties in which people were trapped on vehicles, in residences, and on high ground. The park suffered scattered power outages, downed trees, minor rock slides, and related problems. Power was knocked out at Big Meadows and the concession lodge there was closed. An incident management team (Bob Martin, IC) was established which coordinated in-park responses and cooperated with local agencies to provide rescue assistance. As of yesterday morning, the situation had improved. Calls for rescue had decreased, power was restored at Loft Mountain campground and in the Lewis Mountain area, and the rain had tapered off. [Greg Stiles, SHEN 6/28]
The park is recovering from the impacts of the torrential rains and floods of June 28th. Power has been restored to the Big Meadows area, which should be fully operational by tomorrow. All road access to trails on the east side of the park between Routes 211 and 33 has been barred at the request of the county sheriff's office due to the national state of disaster declared for the area. A large slide (600 yards long by 50 feet wide) of trees, rocks and soil occurred near the Berry Hollow area and ran outside the park, coming to rest against a private residence. On July 1st, the park received a report that some people might have been stranded in the Conway River area since June 27th. The reporting party said he saw a vehicle with two people in it enter the rugged fire road at that location about two hours before the area was cut off by rising water, and said that he had spent that night clinging to a tree top after a six-foot-high wall of water came down the drainage. He was able to get to a residence outside the park the next day, but remained stranded there until Saturday. Three rangers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle or its occupants. The park has assisted Green County by lending earth moving equipment and operators to push one lane through destroyed state roads to reach some 200 stranded people. Efforts continue to reach other families through the park and get urgently needed supplies to them. [Brenda Ritchie, SHEN, 7/2]
Shortly after 10 p.m. on July 26th, the park's communications center received a report of a vehicle on fire a short distance from Skyline Drive on the Slaughter fire road near the Lewis Mountain developed area. Upon arrival, ranger Bobby Fleming found a single vehicle fully engulfed in flames, some reaching as high as a dozen feet and spreading to surrounding woods. A local fire department responded and knocked down the blaze within 15 minutes. Fleming subsequently discovered a badly burned body in the driver's seat of the vehicle. Investigation into the identity of the victim and the mode and method of death continues. [Time Alley, CI, SHEN]
Rangers received a report of smoke emanating from the laundry room at Big Meadows campground around 4:30 p.m. on the afternoon of August 20th. Ranger Lew Abraham was first on scene, and reported flames coming from one of the dryers. The Central District fire truck was dispatched to the area and Abraham employed breathing apparatus to enter the building and extinguish the fire with several extinguishers. A local volunteer fire department arrived shortly thereafter and helped with salvage operations and smoke removal. Investigation revealed that an ARAMARK concession employee had washed greasy cleaning cloths from the Wayside restaurant, then placed them in a dryer and left the building. The rags then caught fire. Damage was limited to one dryer unit. The employee was not following ARAMARK's standard procedure, which calls for washing oily clothing at least three times prior to drying. The park's concession management specialist is following up on the incident. [Bob Martin, Central District Leader, SHEN]
During the early morning hours of August 21st, a joint task force initiated the first phase of an operation which led to the arrests of 11 men in Rockingham and Green counties for violations of numerous federal and state wildlife laws and other criminal offenses which occurred over a three-year period in and around the park. Based on information collected by field staff over the past three years, undercover operations were undertaken, including at least four occasions when undercover operatives accompanied some of those arrested on hunts in the park. A total of 61 federal and 75 state charges were lodged against the 11 men, including hunting within a national park, possession and use of firearms within the park, conspiracy to illegally hunt and take wildlife, Lacey Act violations, and commercialization of deer, bear and reptile products. The latter charges were based on undercover purchases of over 290 sets of deer antlers, one dear, two bear hides, and a snake skin gun sling. Also seized were illegal drugs, firearms, mounted animals and records of illegal transactions. Those arrested on numerous counts pertaining to illegal hunting in the park were A.S., Sr., 50, A.S., Jr., 24, D.S., 19, and J.P., 23. Seven other persons were issued criminal summons for a variety of illegal hunting activities, ranging from spotlighting to hunting out of season. The investigation leading to the arrests revealed that wildlife violations in and around the park are both substantial and routine. Follow-up investigations are continuing and more charges are expected in the future. Involved in the operation were rangers and investigators from Shenandoah and Blue Ridge, Virginia game wardens, sheriff's deputies from two counties and U.S. marshalls. [Doug Raeburn, Acting Chief, R&VP Unit, SHEN]
The park received a report of an injured camper below the summit of Old Rag Mountain on the morning of August 29th. A 16-year-old male had fallen about 100 feet down a nearly vertical rocky slope around midnight on the previous night and suffered a broken ankle and other injuries. Park medic Bob Zydanowicz reached the victim before noon and began treating him for his injuries. A rescue team raised the patient up to the ridge trail near the summit, brought him to a spot below the summit, then cleared a landing zone for a state police medevac helicopter. He was taken to the University of Virginia medical center, where he is being treated for his injuries. Ranger John Kinde was IC on the incident. [John Kinde, PR, SHEN]
Reports have been received from more than a dozen parks affected by Hurricane Opal: * Shenandoah - During the storm's passage, winds at the park's higher elevations blew at a sustained rate of 30 mph, with gusts to 55 mph. Numerous trees are down on Skyline Drive and other roads. A large pine fell on the unoccupied personal travel trailer of a DSC employee residing in the park maintenance area. The trailer probably can't be repaired; the valuation has been placed at about $20,000. The North District was closed yesterday evening, but will probably open this morning. Power outages are reported throughout the park. [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM; Mark Lewis, DR, GUIS; Steve Hickman, IC, JELA; Jerry Eubanks, Superintendent, GUIS; Steve Smith and Bill Sturgeon, RAD/SEFO; Pat Reed, CHCH; Mary Jones, HOBE; Barbara Goodman, DESO; Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The blizzard which struck the eastern United States over the past weekend deposited significant amounts of snow in the park; Big Meadows, for example, had 47 inches of snow, with drifts of over ten feet. Even though backcountry camping permits had not been issued since the beginning of the partial government shutdown, the park learned of at least three stranded backcountry groups within the park and of a fourth on private land just outside the park's boundary. The crews of supporting National Guard and Park Police helicopters made contact with each of the parties on Tuesday, January 10th, and dropped them food, shelters, equipment and survival information. Park plows reached a party of three located at Lewis Mountain campground that evening. They had contacted the park's communications center from a pay phone in the closed campground, and credited the survival information with saving their lives. The park also received over a dozen reports (with varying levels of confirmation) of other hikers who could be in Shenandoah. Intensive investigation has resolved most of these reports, but there is a significant probability that there are other hikers stranded in the park. Efforts were underway yesterday to reach the previously identified parties, most of whom are ten or more miles from the nearest plowed road, and to find any other hikers. The incident management team is concentrating on utilizing plows and the park's snowblower to reach stranded visitors and park residents. Other winter travel methods have proven to be ineffective in the deep, light, fluffy snow. Incident objectives include deadlines for completing most work prior to the next significant snowfall, forecast for tomorrow. Clayton Jordan is incident commander. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
All known stranded parties were reached and evacuated by 4 p.m. on January 10th. All park residents had also been reached by that time except for one family at Skyland, but plans were to get through to them yesterday. Since more snow will fall today, most park residents and the park's winter rescue equipment were moved yesterday to nearby motels for staging. Snow removal equipment was also pre-positioned. Investigations and follow-up on clues from observation flights are continuing; as of yesterday, the team had closed out 21 searches, but two were still underway. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
Bobby Smith, 47, a motor vehicle operator in the South District, was found dead at his residence by his wife upon her return from work at 7:30 a.m. on January 11th. The coroner has tentatively determined the cause of death to have been a heart attack, which probably occurred during the night. Bobby had worked for the park since 1973. He was assigned to the Operation Snowdrift incident as a V-plow operator on January 9th and 10th and was on out-of-service/rest status at the time of his death. Preliminary investigation has revealed no irregularities in terms of hours worked, exertion, or other problems. A safety analysis had also been conducted prior to publication of the incident action plan. Upon receipt of the news, operations were halted for half an hour to allow employees to assimilate the news and to conduct a thorough safety review. Critical incident stress debriefings are underway, and liaison has been established with the family. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
Two more reports have been received on the effects of last week's blizzard on eastern parks: * Shenandoah - All active searches for people in the park have concluded. The park received a total of 28 reports of missing or stranded people or groups. These resulted in five rescues of 10 people; the remaining 23 cases were closed through investigations. One search team snowshoed into Loft Mountain campground to investigate tracks in the snow which had been spotted from aircraft. There they found evidence that someone had broken into the office and fashioned make-shift snowshoes from crutches, badminton rackets, wire, duct tape and cardboard. Tracks indicated that the person who used these "snowshoes" had been successful in reaching a plowed road. The snowshoes were abandoned at that point, but have been recovered and retained for historical interest. The incident management team is now focusing on restoring the park's normal SAR/emergency service capability by clearing SAR/fire facilities and returning and rehabilitating SAR equipment. Residential areas are also being cleared so that required occupants can return. Many park employees attended the funeral of motor vehicle operator Bobby Smith yesterday. The incident management team plans on transitioning back to normal park operations late today. [Greg Stiles, SHEN; CRO, BLRI]
On August 21, 1995, eleven men in Rockingham and Green counties were arrested for violations of numerous federal and state wildlife laws and other criminal offenses which occurred over a three-year period in and around the park. A total of 56 federal and 90 state charges were lodged against the men, including hunting within a national park, possession and use of firearms within the park, conspiracy to illegally hunt and take wildlife, Lacey Act violations, and commercialization of deer, bear and reptile products. On January 23rd, four of the men were sentenced in magistrate's court in Harrisonburg, Virginia. A.S., Senior, received a five-month jail sentence and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution costs; A.S., Junior, received a two-month jail sentence and was ordered to pay $500 in restitution; J.P. received a two-month jail sentence and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution. D.S. was not sentenced to any jail time or financial penalty. All four were placed on supervised release for a year, put on probation for five years, and lost their hunting and fishing rights for three years. The magistrate also set some special probation conditions. The men are prohibited from entering the park, possessing firearms or wearing camouflage clothing during the probation period. Five firearms and five seized deer mounts were forfeited to the government. The remaining seven men are scheduled to appear in state court next week. [Skip Wissinger, CI, SHEN]
On Friday, May 31st, the park received notice that two women were overdue from a several-day-long circuit hike through the Central District. An investigation was begun which produced information that led hasty searchers to focus on the area around Skyland Lodge and Whiteoak Canyon. Rangers Bobby Fleming and Jonathan Holter found the bodies of the two women in a backcountry campsite at 9 p.m. on Saturday evening. A major investigation is now underway. Further information is being withheld at the request of the investigatory group, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Northeast Field Area's Type II incident management team (SA Clark Guy, IC) is managing the incident with the FBI under a unified command. Additional details tomorrow. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The victims of the double homicide have been identified as J.W., 24, and L.W., 26, both of whom were living and working in Vermont. Each died of "an incised wound to the neck." NPS, FBI and Virginia State Police investigators are working jointly on the investigation; many local law enforcement officials have provided support. Backcountry users are being advised of the situation and are being reminded of safe practices to employ while in the backcountry. An individual who was reportedly acting strangely was taken into custody near mile 44 on Skyline Drive on Monday afternoon and is being held in connection with a warrant from the state of New York. This arrest was not related to the investigation into the deaths of the two women. The hikers were last seen on May 24th, and the incident management team is attempting to locate anyone who may have seen the two women and "Taj," their golden retriever/lab mix, or who may have any other relevant information. Anyone with such information should call 1-888-856-2467, toll free. [Paul Pfenninger, IO, Bridal Trail Incident, SHEN]
Dale Morlock, and outdoor recreation planner in the Environmental Quality Division, was injured in an accident while riding to work on his motorcycle earlier this week. He will be in the hospital for several days, then recuperating at home. Get well wishes may be sent to him via Ellen Singleton, Environmental Quality Division, Room 1210, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. [EQD/WASO]
The intensive, full-scale, multi-agency investigation into the murders of J.W. and L.W. continues. The nature of the investigation precludes dissemination of any further information on developments at this time. Details will be released and reported whenever possible. [PIO, Bridal Trail Incident, SHEN]
The investigation into the two homicides continues. Only limited information is being disseminated because of the nature of the inquiry. The incident is being managed under unified FBI and NPS command. The incident objectives, as taken from the original incident action plan, are as follows: o Conduct all incident activities safely and prevent injuries. o Determine the events that led to the conditions found on June 1, 1996. o Apprehend all suspects. o Protect the public. Media attention waned somewhat over the weekend. Close attention is being made to impacts on the park staff, which have been significant. Critical incident stress management sessions are being conducted throughout the park. Even if a break in the case occurs, the team anticipates being in the park for a full three weeks in order to attend to significant level of follow-up activities which will be necessary. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The investigation into the two homicides continues. Only limited information is being disseminated because of the nature of the inquiry. Over 100 people, including 20 FBI agents, were involved with the incident last week. Members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and Student Conservation Association and other volunteers have also assisted. Over 400 leads have been culled from reports received through the toll free number established for information relating to the murders; each is being investigated. At this time, no particular lead is driving the investigation. The incident management team is planning on transferring the incident back to the park today. The park will continue a smaller investigation under incident management. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The investigation of the murders of J.W., 24, and L.W., 26, continues. At present, there are 17 investigators - eight NPS, eight FBI and one Virginia State Police - working on the case with the assistance of 14 support people, including five people doing data entry. Approximately 1100 leads have been entered into a major crime management program. Investigators have completed follow-ups on 87% of those leads. Approximately 7,000 letters and fliers have been distributed to people who were in the area at the time and may have seen the women or may have information about the case. A reward of $25,000 is still being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The toll free number for calling in with information (1-888-856- 2467) is still in operation. A story on the murders will appear on "America's Most Wanted" on Saturday, July 20th. Filming was done in the park on July 11th, and included interviews with two uniformed NPS employees and the FBI's lead investigator. The film crew was also taken to the crime scene and to several overlooks along Skyline Drive. Viewers who have information will be asked to call the show's toll-free number. During the airing of the program and for several hours thereafter, case agents from both the NPS and FBI will be available in the show's studio to help answer calls. [Peggie Gaul, Bridal Trail Incident, SHEN]
J.L., 26, of Bethesda, Maryland, was hiking with a companion on Saturday, July 27th, when she lost her footing at the top of a cliff at Rose River Falls, fell 65 feet, and landed on a rock ledge just above a deep stream pool. J.L. sustained injuries to her head and to an arm and a leg. The park's technical rescue team was dispatched to the scene and conducted a vertical extrication. She was then carried out a distance of just over a mile, transported by ambulance to a helicopter landing zone, and flow to the University of Virginia hospital by helicopter. She is expected to survive the mishap. [Clayton Jordan, SPR, SHEN]
A task force comprised of a dozen NPS and FBI investigators is continuing the investigation into the murders of J.W. and L.W. Over the past month, investigators met with FBI laboratory and behavioral sciences personnel to develop avenues of investigation. Some 200 interviews have been conducted with Appalachian Trail hikers along the length of the trail, and hundreds more interviews have been conducted in and around the park. Numerous leads have been sent to FBI and NPS investigators around the country. The report on the crimes on "America's Most Wanted" generated about 100 new leads. The victims' families will be placing newspaper ads seeking information in local papers and nationwide hiking magazines. Follow-up investigations have been completed on about three-quarters of the over 1,000 leads developed to date. [Clark Guy, SHEN]
R.T., 52, of Crozet, Virginia, drove his vehicle onto the east shoulder of Skyline drive just north of the I-64 bridge on the morning of August 13th, then apparently shot himself in the chest with a .357 revolver. An investigation is underway, but all indications are that his death was a suicide. [Rick Childs, SHEN]
On August 24th, rangers concluded a stakeout of an area in the Central District by contacting and charging R.S. and C.S. for possession of 84 ginseng roots. They were also charged with possession of a firearm and a Lacey Act violation. [Clayton Jordan, SPR, SHEN]
Hurricane Fran, now downgraded to tropical storm status, continues its passage through the Mid-Atlantic states this morning. Only a few reports have been received on either storm preparations or impacts; a comprehensive summary of impacts from all reporting areas will appear on Monday or sooner, depending on circumstances: o Shenandoah - The park closed last night in anticipation of the storm's arrival. [Bob Woody, CI&VS, CAHA; John Tucker, FOSU/CHPI/MOCR; Bill Wade, Superintendent, SHEN; Mike Tennent, FOFR]
Reports on the impacts of Hurricane Fran have been received from a number of Eastern parks. Of particular note is the fact that the flooding along the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers has in most cases been as or more severe than that which occurred during January, making this the first year since the National Weather Service began keeping track early this century that areas along those rivers have been hit by two major floods. As of Sunday night, the Potomac was flowing past Little Falls in Maryland at more than 300,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) - 130 times the normal volume. When the Shenandoah River crested on Saturday, it had a flow rate of 153,000 cfs, or more than 200 times its typical rate. o Shenandoah - Winds in excess of 60 mph and more than five inches of rain - which followed five inches or precipitation received during the days just before the hurricane's arrival - caused serious flooding and major tree damage in the park. Skyline Drive and all park facilities except Skyland Lodge were closed at 9 p.m. on Thursday, and wind and rains arrived at 3 a.m. the following morning. The hurricane dropped trees along the entire length of Skyline Drive and elsewhere throughout the park. Power was lost in all areas except the entrance station in Front Royal. Flooding led to contamination of the park's water systems and knocked out the sewage treatment system. Following the storm's passage, crews began opening roads, beginning with Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap to Skyland, freeing the 250 guests and staff at the facilities there. All were evacuated without incident. Crews have also reached required occupants at Big Meadows and Simmons Gap and opened a single lane for traffic to and from those locations. The park's Type III incident management team is overseeing recovery operations, including road clearance, damage assessments, and response to emergency requests from hard-hit local communities (mostly in opening roads). The park remains closed. The team plans to turn management of the incident back to the park districts this morning. [Greg Styles, IC, SHEN; Kevin Fitzgerald, CHOH; Gary Pollock, GWMP; Sandy Ailey, PIO, NCFA; Jim Fox, BLRI; Bob Woody, CI&VS, CAHA; Newt Sikes, CUIS; John Breen, FOPU; Andrew Loveless, Superintendent, KIMO; John Tucker, Superintendent, FOSU; Chuck Harris, CR, CALO; Mike Johnson, CR, FRSP; Washington Post]
Damage reports are beginning to filter in as flood waters recede and park staffs gain access to their areas: o Shenandoah - A preliminary damage assessment was completed on Sunday. Among the more serious problems are the following: * Forty-one miles of the Skyline Drive are still impassable because of downed trees. * Fifty miles of the drive have only one lane available. * At least a half mile of the drive road shoulder in the Central District has experienced extreme erosion, with loss of shoulder to depths of five feet and undermining of the road surface. * Several bridges were swept away, including the bridge to the headquarters firing range, the Camp Hoover foot bridge, and all bridges in the lower Rapidan area. Although they have not been checked yet, it is assumed that other bridges have been damaged or demolished. * The following developed areas have numerous uprooted trees: Elkwallow, Mathews Arm (currently inaccessible because of trees), headquarters, Big Meadows campground, and Loft Mountain campground (also inaccessible). * Those trails that have been checked have many miles of total tread loss and numerous areas where the entire trail structure has been lost. * Power has been restored to Dickey Ridge and the main headquarters building. The lack of road access to the lower Rapidan area may significantly delay the restoration of power at Big Meadows. [Mark Hardgrove, SAJU; Mark Woods, VIIS]
As the park was being closed on Thursday evening in anticipation of Hurricane Fran, rangers found a rental vehicle parked in the White Oak Canyon parking area, located near Skyland Lodge. A computer check showed no outstanding "wants"; since the area is used for parking by long-term Appalachian Trail hikers, no further action was taken. After road-clearing crews removed trees from the Skyline Drive and reached the area on Saturday, the vehicle was checked again. This time a computer check revealed that the last person to rent the vehicle was listed as missing. A search in the area was accordingly begun involving air scent dogs and hasty teams. The subject, J.S., 27, a State Department employee from Arlington, Virginia, was last seen on Friday, August 30th. Since the vehicle was found less than a mile from the scene of June's double homicide, the FBI was immediately brought into the investigation. Information since acquired indicates that this incident is unrelated to either the double homicide or Hurricane Fran. Investigators are looking into reports that the subject may be despondent. The incident is being managed as a type 3 incident, separate from either the double homicide or the Hurricane Fran recovery incidents. The IC is Rick Brown, New River Gorge. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
Additional reports have been received regarding on-going hurricane and flood recovery efforts: o Shenandoah - The process of removing downed and dangerous leaning trees from Skyline Drive is still underway. The Federal Highway Administration has provided the professional expertise and funding needed to repair the washed-out portions of the shoulder of the drive, and that work is now underway. Two portions of the drive will probably open on Saturday - the five-mile segment from the north entrance at Front Royal to the Dickey Ridge area in the North District and the 15- mile segment from Swift Run Gap to Big Meadows in the Central District. Specific time frames for the reopening of the rest of the drive have not yet been established. Power has been restored to most areas, including Big Meadows; all water and sewer systems are again functional. All park trails, including front country nature trails, are missing bridges and blocked with hundreds of downed trees. As sections of the park are reopened, visitors will be warned about trail conditions and discouraged from using them. A damage assessment and accompanying funding request is still under preparation. [Greg Stiles, SHEN; Ann Childress, CVS, FOSU Group; Don Boucher, FMO, NCSO; Kevin FitzGerald, DR, CHOH]
The search for State Department employee J.S. continues in the park's Central District. All high probability areas of have been searched without success. The search area will be expanded today, but the number of searchers will be scaled back. A joint NPS-FBI investigation is also underway. Although no scenario has been ruled out, investigators have determined that J.S. was upset about personal matters just before he came to the park on August 30th. J.S.'s parents are now in the park and providing information to searchers; they plan to hold a press conference today to ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward. About 30 people, mostly SAR group volunteers, will be involved in search efforts today. IC is Steve Bair. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The NPS and FBI are still investigating the murders of J.W. and L.W., whose bodies were discovered in the park on June 1st. W.'s family has scheduled a news conference today at Skyland Lodge, near the scene of the murders. They have obtained additional reward money from Fingerhut, bringing the total reward for information leading to a conviction to $50,000. There are some indications that the family is attempting to bring the incident back to the forefront of media attention. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
The entire length of Skyline Drive in the Central District - from Thornton Gap at U.S. 211 south to Swift Run Gap at U.S. 33 - has reopened, as have all facilities in the district except Lewis Mountain cabins, which are still without power. There are still about 300 trees down on Skyline Drive in the South District, and another 600 trees down in the Loft Mountain campground. Because of the priority nature of the park's problems, Gettysburg has contributed some of its storm damage money to help out, and the park will probably order out-of-area resources to get the drive and campground open prior to the busy fall foliage season. The entire North District from Front Royal to Thornton Gap will likely open by this weekend. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club volunteers are clearing as many trails as they can, including the AT. It is probable, however, that most trails will remain closed until next summer. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
Searchers are still looking for State Department employee J.S., who has been missing since August 30th. No clues whatsoever have yet been found. The search was therefore scaled back to a limited, on-going operation on Monday, with employees and volunteers actively looking for clues as they go about their regular activities. The investigation will remain active. J.S.'s family is satisfied with efforts and decisions made to date. [Greg Stiles, SHEN]
On October 4th, rangers and criminal investigators from Shenandoah and Blue Ridge, state game wardens, and a canine unit from the state corrections department participated in the issuance of search warrants on two residents and two vehicles in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. The warrants were issued to seize evidence from the illegal taking of at least five buck deer in the park over a two-month period. Also found were marijuana plants with a street value of $4,000 and stolen highway signs. Five people have been charged on five state felony counts, 23 federal misdemeanor counts, and 15 state misdemeanor counts. The incident remains under investigation under criminal investigator Skip Wissinger. The names of defendants will not be released until all charges are filed. [Rick Childs, SPR, SHEN]
On October 4th, rangers and criminal investigators from Shenandoah and Blue Ridge, state game wardens, and a canine unit from the state corrections department participated in the issuance of search warrants on two residents and two vehicles in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. The warrants were issued to seize evidence from the illegal taking of at least five buck deer in the park over a two-month period. Also found were marijuana plants with a street value of $4,000 and stolen highway signs. Five people have been charged on five state felony counts, 23 federal misdemeanor counts, and 15 state misdemeanor counts. The incident remains under investigation under criminal investigator Skip Wissinger. The names of defendants will not be released until all charges are filed. [Rick Childs, SPR, SHEN]
On October 27th, a park visitor discovered the remains of a body 40 yards off White Oak Canyon trail and about three-and-a-half miles from Skyline Drive. Based on identification and personal belongings found at the scene, investigators have determined that they are probably the remains of J.S., the State Department employee whose car was discovered in the park on September 8th. It was later determined that J.S., who was experiencing personal problems, had come to the park on August 30th. The search was suspended on September 15th. All indications are that the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound from the firearm found at the scene. A handwritten suicide note was also found. [Clay Jordan, SPR, SHEN]
On October 31st, D.P., 42, and his girlfriend, M.C., 23, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one count each of conspiracy and drug manufacturing. Each charge carries with it a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and $1 million in fines. A two month investigation led to the arrests of D.P. and M.C. on October 11th after marijuana plants with an estimated value of $90,000 were found being cultivated in the park. Rangers assisted the county drug task force in the execution of a state search warrant at D.P.'s residence, where an additional $6,000 worth of marijuana was being grown. Ranger David Bauer is the case agent. [David Bauer, PR, SHEN]
South District engineering equipment operator Leonard Comer discovered an abandoned vehicle parked about a half mile behind a locked gate on the closed access road to Loft Mountain campground late on the morning of December 30th. The driver's window was open and a key had been left in the rear hatch lid. Protection supervisor Rick Childs investigated and found that the vehicle was registered to S.B., 34, of Portsmouth, Virginia. Further investigation revealed that she'd attempted suicide in July. A search with hasty teams and dog teams was begun, but no sign of her was found. On the 31st, the park began a major, multi-organization search effort which was equally fruitless. Investigators Skip Wissinger, Clyde Yee and Tim Alley determined that S.B. had entered the park at 8 p.m. on the 27th and that she might have contacted a friend, Karen Byrd, on the 29th for a ride, as her vehicle had been damaged and disabled when she drove around the gate. Search efforts were immediately scaled back. On January 2nd, S.B. contacted Byrd by phone and asked to meet her in the park. When Byrd failed to find her at the arranged location, she contacted Alley. Childs, Wissinger and ranger Matt Richardson met Byrd, and, after an extended search, found S.B. in the woods and coaxed her out. She was in good condition. Investigation revealed that S.B. did not want to be found during the six days she was missing, and that she didn't fully comprehend the trouble that she'd created for the park and for searchers. Her illegal campsite was found just outside the search area. S.B. left the park with Byrd after the debriefing. [Rick Childs, SHEN]
Rangers and criminal investigators from Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Parkway, together with city, county, state and Forest Service officers, executed search warrants on January 25th at the residences of four male juveniles in the Waynesboro, Virginia, area, and seized weapons, ammunition, deer meat, deer parts, a motor vehicle, and other crucial evidence of numerous flagrant poaching cases which occurred in the park and on surrounding county lands between December, 1996, and January, 1997. The four are suspected of illegally taking a dozen or more deer from the park and an undetermined number of deer from surrounding counties. Two were arrested by Waynesboro police on January 21st for attempting to cash a forged $18,000 check, and may have previously stolen an undetermined amount of money from the owner of the checks. At present, none of the juveniles in the park cases has been charged, but charges against all four will be initiated in the near future. These cases could not have been successfully investigated without the cooperation of confidential informants, the Albemarle County Police Department, the Augusta County Sheriff's Department, the Waynesboro Police Department, the Forest Service, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia State Police Forensic Science Crime Laboratory. Criminal investigator Skip Wissinger was the incident commander in the execution of these warrants and is also the case agent in charge. [Rick Childs, Protection Supervisor, South District, SHEN, 1/26]
On January 27th, a hiker reported finding a body while bushwhacking off-trail in the North District. Rangers and investigators found clothed, skeletal remains about 150 yards from the Appalachian Trail. The remains are at least several months old. The crime scene was processed with the assistance of a state police crime scene unit, and the remains have been transferred to a medical examiner for an autopsy. The cause of death and the person's identity are unknown. The area is being searched by ground and air for clues. There is a great deal of local media interest in the incident. [Clay Jordan, Acting LEO, SHEN, 1/28]
On January 26th, a hiker found skeletal remains in a secluded spot about 125 yards off the Appalachian Trail in the North District. An autopsy revealed that the victim was a male between 30 and 35 years old who had been wearing light clothing, but the medical examiner was unable to determine the cause of death or when it had occurred. Investigators are working through the slow process of examining missing persons reports nationwide for a match, but the victim at present remains unidentified. Although the man was dressed in distinctive hiking attire, neither personal gear nor an associated vehicle have been discovered by ground and air searchers. Clyde Yee is the lead investigator. [Clay Jordan, SPR, SHEN, 2/19]
The investigation continues into the murders of J.W. and L.W., whose bodies were discovered in the park on June 1, 1996. Criminal investigator Tim Alley has taken over the case agent role from criminal investigator Ken Johnson. Because of the investigation, a great deal has been learned about what goes on along the Appalachian Trail. Law enforcement personnel from Shenandoah NP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Delaware Water Gap NRA, the Appalachian Trail Office and possibly Blue Ridge Parkway will meet in late March to share that information. The park has also created two other levels of briefings - executive briefings for the park's management team and general briefings for new and returning employees - to keep park staff apprised of developments. The case remains active and leads are being investigated. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/25]
On the afternoon of July 9th, a female cyclist told ranger John Waterman that she had been assaulted minutes earlier by a man in a pickup truck who had forced her off the road, then attempted to pull her into his truck. She successfully fought him off, and he fled the area. Ranger Steve Barto intercepted a vehicle matching the description the woman provided and detained D.R., 29, of Columbia, Maryland, until she could identify him as her assailant. D.R. apparently stalked her for a couple of miles as she rode along the Skyline Drive. He removed the license tags from his vehicle, then accosted her when she became separated from her riding partner on the Lewis Mountain access road. After fleeing from the scene, D.R. stopped, put the tags back on his vehicle, and changed clothes in attempt to elude detection. D.R. was arraigned on July 10th and is being held without bond. He has been charged with attempted abduction and several lesser charges. Ken Johnson is the lead criminal investigator. [Clay Jordan, SPR, SHEN, 7/10]
W.K., 44, of Avon Lake, Ohio, dislocated his right hip at Jones Run Falls on the afternoon of July 8th. W.K. was in considerable pain and unable to move, so his friend hiked a couple of miles to the trailhead and summoned help. A rescue team reached W.K. around 5 p.m. and evacuated him on a backboard and wheeled litter. He was taken to a medical center for treatment. [Rick Childs, IC, SHEN, 7/9]
On August 2nd, M.B., 29, of Afton, Virginia, lost his footing while at the top of the second falls on the White Oak Canyon trail, fell 35 feet, and landed on his head, sustaining multiple injuries. A team of a dozen rangers conducted the five-hour, belayed carry-out operation. M.B. was then transported by ambulance to the University of Virginia hospital. [Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN, 8/3]
On the afternoon of October 26th, park dispatch received a cellular phone call from a visitor reporting a small plane upside down in trees near Skyline Drive south of Lewis Mountain campground. Responding units determined that the male pilot, who was found on the ground beneath the aircraft, had been killed in the accident. The single-engine Cessna was entangled in the trees and dangling precariously about 70 feet above the ground. Fuel was apparently leaking from the plane. A search of the area led to the tentative conclusion that the pilot was the only person who'd been in the aircraft. Evidence was found on Skyline Drive, and the drive was accordingly closed from Big Meadow (mile 50) to Swift Run Gap (mile 65). At the time of the report yesterday evening, an investigation was underway to assure that there were no other people aboard the Cessna. The plane was still in the trees and unstable, so the area was sealed off. Planning is underway for stabilization and removal of the aircraft, recovery of the victim, and clean-up of hazardous materials. The drive will be reopened upon completion of evidence recovery. Identification of the victim is pending. [Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN, 10/26]
The victim of the aircraft crash which occurred just east of Skyline Drive on October 26th has been identified as S.L., 69, of Boca Raton, Florida. He was the only person on board at the time. The aircraft was lowered to the ground by maintenance crews the following day, then removed from the park by a contractor. Personnel safety was the paramount concern in removing the plane. The operation occurred without any problems. The NTSB is investigating. Ranger Clay Jordan was IC. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 10/28]
On December 29th, the vehicle of a missing Harrisonburg man was found blocking the gate to a cemetery about ten yards inside the park's boundary off Route 628. K.N., 38, had last been seen at his brother's house on the 27th; when he left, as it was later determined, he took a 16 gauge shotgun and shells with him. A hasty search of the area was conducted by the park and county sheriff's office. Although snow had fallen in the area on the 27th, any clues which might have been left were concealed by a subsequent six inch snowfall. An extensive search employing dog teams and ground searchers was conducted on January 4th. Several clues were found, but there was no sign of K.N. The park continued the search for two more days with the help of SAR dog teams. Although additional clues were found, extremely heavy rains on January 8th resulted in extensive flooding and caused postponement of the search until the 10th. K.N.'s body was found about a mile east of his vehicle late that morning. Preliminary investigation indicates that K.N. did not die from violent force. The investigation continues. Alan Sager and Rick Childs were incident commanders. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 1/12]
The series of severe El Nino-related winter storms which have been striking the U.S., particularly in California, the southern tier states and up the east coast, have had a variety of repercussions in national parks. Since there are no indications that this pattern will change for some time, the Morning Report will carry a continuing round-up of reported storm impacts: Shenandoah NP (VA) - Yesterday's northeaster dropped up to a foot of snow and an inch and a half of ice on the park's higher elevations. Skyline Drive, which was closed because of snow and ice from last week's storm, remains closed. Power is out at Piney River, Big Meadows and Simmons Gap. Lower elevations received snow and sleet, but most of the precipitation fell as rain. Localized small stream and low-lying road flooding has occurred. Employees are using normal alternative work locations, as described in the park's winter operations plan. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/4; John Burns, CR, ASIS, 2/5; Bill Blake, CR, NERI, 2/5; Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/5]
Additional reports have been received regarding the impacts of the series of unusually strong winter storms that have struck or are striking the country: Shenandoah NP (VA) - The situation was stable as of Friday afternoon. Hundreds of trees had fallen from the weight of ice on them and due to the loosening of root structures from rain saturated soil. Park crews are being kept off the mountain until trees stop falling for safety reasons. Power remains out at Piney River, Big Meadows and Simmons Gap, as the power companies have the same safety concerns. There were not reports of visitors or staff needing assistance. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Norm Dodge, CR, ACAD, 2/6; Constantine Dillon, Superintendent, Fire Island NS, 2/6; Bryan Swift, CR, LAVO, 2/6; Bob Martin, CR, REDW, 2/6; Gary Candelaria, Superintendent, PINN, 2/7; Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/6]
Additional reports on the effects of recent severe storms on parks have been received: Shenandoah NP (VA) - As park crews reach various sections of the park, they are discovering significant damage to facilities and features following last week's prolonged storm. Some portions of Skyline Drive are covered by 12 to 16 inches of solidly frozen and impenetrable ice and snow, with ice levels higher than the adjacent stone walls. The drive is accordingly unsafe for travel by anyone, including park staff. Hundreds of trees are down across both the drive and other park roads. Some sections of Skyline Drive have 30 to 150 trees down per mile, and there are hundreds of snags and hazardous branches hanging from many of the remaining trees. Significant tree work will have to be completed before the road can be opened to the public. Dozens of miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail, are similarly covered with hundreds of downed trees. In some areas, the Appalachian Trail is no longer visible. Long sections of power lines are down on the ground, and dozens of power poles have snapped. A report has been received that Creel Cabin at Camp Hoover has been damaged by a falling tree, but park crews have not been able to confirm this. Most areas of the park have not yet been reached, and it's probable that more damage will be reported. A damage assessment is underway, but it may be impeded by the arrival of a winter storm tomorrow or Thursday with more frozen precipitation. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/9; CRO, BLRI, 2/9; Larry Carr, CR, WHIS, 2/9]
The park has completed an assessment of the damage inflicted by the February storm which dropped snow, sleet and freezing rain on central Virginia. The hardest hit areas included Skyline Drive, most of the park's trails, and developed areas above the 2,000 foot elevation: Roads - A total of 81 miles of Skyline Drive and 57 miles of administrative roads were clogged with fallen trees, limbs and branches, with thousands of hazardous trees leaning over roadways. Many of the destroyed trees were historic, as Skyline Drive is on the National Register of Historic Places. About half of Skyline Drive has been cleared so far. Trails - A total of 293 miles of trail, including most of the length of the Appalachian Trail within park boundaries, suffered from moderate to heavy tree fall and numerous hazardous limbs hanging over trails. Approximately 30 miles have been cleared to the point where they are at least passable. Most of the work has been done by volunteer trail workers. Developed areas - Wood debris carpeted 31 developed areas. These areas also had many hazard hanging trees and limbs. Buildings - Roof, gutter or drainage system damage was inflicted on 25 buildings, seven of them historic. The Big Meadows fire cache suffered soot damage from a malfunctioning heater that was not noticed because the area was inaccessible at the time. Vehicles - Three park vehicles were damaged. Power lines - Although not a park responsibility, dozens of power poles were snapped and miles of lines were knocked down. At present, it appears that park facilities will open as scheduled, provided that the weather holds and equipment breakdowns do not increase significantly. The park has requested just over $600,000 for clean-up and repairs. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 3/12]
On the evening of May 8th, L.K. of Springfield, Virginia, reported that he'd been assaulted by two men while setting up camp along the Appalachian Trial in the Compton Gap area. L.K. said that he fled the area when the two men approached his camp, yelling at him to leave and firing several shots in his direction. There were no vehicles in the area. Dense fog, with visibility reduced to five to ten feet, hampered the immediate response and investigation. At daybreak, rangers entered and secured the campsite, but found nobody in the vicinity. Investigators and a tracker searched the area; no evidence was found to validate L.K.'s story. Investigators are planning on interviewing L.K. again. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 5/11]
On the afternoon of May 24th, ranger Matt Richardson was notified by members of a Boy Scout troop that one of their leaders, T.G., 39, was sick and unable to continue on the Jones Run Falls trail. Richardson found T.G. suffering from shortness of breath, nausea and elevated blood pressure. Park medic John Waterman soon arrived on scene and was joined shortly thereafter by a rescue team comprised of South District personnel and Boy Scout troop members and leaders. They evacuated T.G. to the trailhead while Waterman provided oxygen. T.G. was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and subsequently released. [Rick Childs, DR, SHEN, 5/25]
A park neighbor called on the evening of June 2nd and reported seeing a person with ginseng roots in his possession near the Hazel River trailhead. Investigation revealed that the culprit was a resident of Etlan, Virginia. Ranger John Kinde and a park criminal investigator interviewed him and obtained a full confession. A total of 178 roots weighing about two-and-a- half pounds were turned over along with a homemade satchel and digging implement. Misdemeanor Lacey Act charges are pending. Rangers are working with resource management staff on experimental replacement of ginseng roots taken from the park in previous incidents. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 6/4]
On the evening of May 31st, dispatch notified ranger Ken Mehne that a 15- year-old girl, S.C., was experiencing extreme fatigue and possible dehydration on the Jones Run Falls trail. Mehne learned from S.C. that she had a congenital heart condition. Ranger/parkmedic John Waterman assessed her condition and found that she was unable to walk out due to chest pain and nausea. A litter team of Central and South District rangers, SCAs and FIREPRO personnel evacuated S.C. to the trailhead on a litter while Waterman provided medical assistance. She was subsequently released to her family without additional medical care. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 6/1]
Ranger Ralph W. "Bill" Hoffmeyer, a long-time seasonal interpreter in the NPS, died at his home on the evening of June 16th following a long fight with cancer. Bill started with the Service in 1974 and worked at New River Gorge NR, Saint Croix NSR, and Shenandoah NP. He was well-known for his excellent interpretive programs, his great sense of humor, and his wonderful characterizations of historical figures. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. Friends of the family are establishing trust funds for the education of his children. Details will be provided as soon as they are available. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 6/17]
On the afternoon of June 26th, the park received a report that a woman had been found shot inside the park boundary near Old Rag Mountain. Rangers, Madison County deputies and the country rescue squad found S.D., 60, of Madison, Virginia, with a gunshot wound in her chest. She was flown to a hospital, where she underwent surgery and is currently listed in serious condition. Alcohol and a small caliber handgun were recovered at the scene. The wound appears to have been self-inflicted. Criminal investigator Tim Alley is leading the investigation. [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 6/27]
The park received a report that a 40-year-old, 300-pound diabetic male had fallen and injured himself on the Lewis Falls trail late on the afternoon of July 2nd. While rescuers were responding, another report came in that a 46- year-old woman had fallen near a waterfall on the White Oak Canyon trail. She was reported to be unconscious and going into shock. Rangers and park medics located her about 300 feet off the trail; a seven-hour, semi-technical rescue operation was required to evacuate her. About three dozen park employees supported the two operations. Both individuals were transported to area hospitals, where they were treated for minor injuries. [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 7/3]
On August 9th, M.R. of Berryville, Virginia, fell 30 feet from a boulder near Lower White Oak Falls and landed in the water. He sustained a fractured femur and possible hip injury. M.R. remained in the water until rescuers arrived two and a half hours later. Park medic Janice Pauley provided medical care; members of the park's technical rescue team were among the 20 rescuers who carried him out in a semi-technical evacuation to the trailhead. Eagle One, the USPP helicopter, flew M.R. to the University of Virginia Hospital. Ranger Liz Yee was the incident commander. [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 8/11]
Two park visitors found human remains near the junction of the Keyser Run fire road and Little Devils Stairs trail around noon on October 11th and reported their discovery to the park via cellular phone. Responding rangers found the body of a man, probably in his late 20s, lying on the ground with a firearm nearby. Although he has been tentatively identified, his name is being withheld pending notification of the family. The incident is being investigated as a homicide, but the strong possibility of suicide is also being investigated. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 10/11]
The remains found in the park on Sunday have been identified as those of G.S., 28, of Baltimore, Maryland. Although the investigation has not yet been completed, it appears probable that he died of a self-inflicted rifle wound. Evidence includes autopsy results and a letter received by a former girlfriend. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 10/13]
A 45-year-old woman fell near the summit of Old Rag Mountain on October 25th and fractured her leg. A twelve-person carryout team responded. During the evacuation, a small forest fire ignited in steep terrain along the trail below the victim. Rescuers and firefighters succeeded in keeping the trail passable until she could be evacuated and transported to the hospital at the University of Virginia. The fire is of suspicious origin. John Kinde was IC. [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 10/25]
On Monday, January 18th, Operation SOUP (Special Operation to Undercover Poaching), a three-year investigation into illegal hunting and commercial sale of black bear parts, came to a head with the arrest of 25 individuals who were charged with a total of 112 state violations. The investigation was a joint effort by the NPS and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, with assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A total of 110 rangers, officers and wardens from the NPS, state, FWS and Forest Service made the arrests. Twenty-two of those arrested have been charged with offenses related to illegal bear hunting in the Blue Ridge section of Virginia that includes Shenandoah NP; the remaining three have been charged with state counts of illegally buying or selling bear parts. Eleven federal search warrants were also executed, furthering the investigation into the trade of bear gall bladders and paws. Seized were five vehicles, several freezers, and a large quantity of bear parts, firearms and cash. Federal misdemeanor and felony indictments may be forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead for violations of the Lacey Act and for hunting within Shenandoah NP. A dozen individuals were arrested over the eight months prior to this operation and charged with selling bear parts for use in the jewelry trade. Participating in the execution of the warrants were 35 rangers from several Mid-Atlantic parks and a Northeast Region SET team. Criminal investigator Skip Wissinger has been the lead NPS case agent. It's expected that this investigation, when completed, will lead to one of the most significant and extensive prosecutions pertaining to the commercialization of bear parts in the nation's history. [Clay Jordan, IO, Operation SOUP, 1/18]
On Monday, January 18th, Operation SOUP (Special Operation to Uncover Poaching), a three-year investigation into illegal hunting and commercial sale of black bear parts (gallbladders and paws), came to a head with the arrest of 25 individuals who were charged with a total of 112 state violations. Last week, a federal grand jury handed down 30 felony and three misdemeanor counts against nine individuals for violating and/or conspiring to violate the Lacey Act. State charges were also filed against two people on four felony counts of illegally selling bear parts used in the jewelry trade, and against two other people for selling or buying gallbladders. Two more search warrants have been served by state officers; bear parts and parts from other animals were seized. All these actions are the latest to occur in this on-going covert investigation, which has been conducted jointly by the NPS and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, with assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Overall, a total of 52 individuals have now been charged with 216 infractions of state law and 52 violations of federal law. More charges are expected. The investigation has revealed evidence that some of the arrested dealers operating close to Shenandoah NP have sold thousands of gall bladders over the past ten years. Some 300 gall bladders were purchased or confiscated during the last year of the operation. Criminal investigator Skip Wissinger has been the lead NPS case agent for Operation SOUP; rangers Bob Kreiling and Marc Cyr are case agents for a major overt bear poaching case that occurred in December. [Clay Jordan, IO, Operation SOUP, SHEN, 3/16]
On the afternoon of July 9, 1997, a female cyclist from Canada told ranger John Waterman that she had been assaulted minutes earlier by a man in a pickup truck who had forced her off the road, then attempted to pull her into his truck. She successfully fought him off, and he fled the area. Ranger Steve Barto intercepted a vehicle matching the description the woman provided and detained D.R., 29, of Columbia, Maryland, until she could identify him as her assailant. D.R. apparently stalked her for a couple of miles as she rode along Skyline Drive. He removed the license tags from his vehicle, then accosted her when she became separated from her riding partner on the Lewis Mountain access road. After fleeing from the scene, D.R. stopped, put the tags back on his vehicle, and changed clothes in attempt to elude detection. D.R. has been held without bail since the incident occurred. He pled guilty to attempted kidnapping in a plea agreement last September. On March 11th, D.R. was sentenced in federal district court to 135 months imprisonment. The judge was "gravely concerned" with evidence presented by the government at the sentencing hearing and went well beyond guidelines when handing down the sentence. Criminal investigator Skip Wissinger was the case agent. [Clay Jordan, CR, Central District, SHEN, 3/19]
On the evening of March 17th, six motor vehicles parked along Skyline Drive in the South District were broken into. Various items were stolen, including several credit cards. A joint investigation by the park (ranger Ken Mehne and criminal investigator Tim Alley) and the Greene County Sheriff's Office led to the identification and interviews of two men and a juvenile female regarding their activities in the park on the 17th and their subsequent activities regarding the stolen property. Some of that property was recovered during consent searches. Federal and county charges are pending; other jurisdictions may also bring charges against the trio. The names of the suspects are being withheld at this time due to the on-going investigation. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 3/25]
Vice president Al Gore, director Bob Stanton, EPA administrator Carol Browner and other dignitaries participated in an Earth Day event at the Dickey Ridge visitor center on April 22nd. The vice president hiked a section of the Dickey Ridge trail with the director, superintendent Doug Morris, and park ecologist Tom Blount. They talked about air quality issues during the walk. Following the hike, the vice president presented the national Harry Yount award to Dale Antonich, chief ranger at Lake Mead NRA, then addressed a crowd of about 500 people on the lawn of the visitor center. He announced a new EPA regional haze rule that establishes the year 2064 as the target for restoring visibility to natural conditions in all national parks and federal wilderness areas. The rule also requires states to develop ten-year plans to achieve reasonable progress toward that goal. The event was managed by the park's Type III incident management team. Assistance was provided by the Northeast Region's special events team and personnel from all the park's divisions. There were no injuries or major problems. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 4/23]
A fatal accident occurred on Skyline Drive just before 10 p.m. on August 15th. An as-yet unidentified woman was traveling north on the drive when her car went off the road, struck a sign and two trees, and came to rest 300 feet from the road. The car was consumed by fire. Warren County Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze. The body was taken to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy and identification. DNA tests will be used for identification. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but speed may have been a factor. [Rick Childs, SHEN, 8/20]
A Cessna 172 aircraft flying from Newport News to Weyers Cave, Virginia, disappeared from radar two miles east of the park near Flattop Mountain around 9:40 a.m. on August 25th. Due to some confusion regarding the probable location of the aircraft, the park was not notified until 1:30 p.m. the following afternoon. Ground searches in the Flattop Mountain area and along the park's boundary were begun that afternoon and continued into the evening. Hasty searches were also conducted along the Appalachian Trail within the park. The search was temporarily suspended due to heavy rains that caused dangerous and slippery footing. A Dogs East search team located the plane the following morning about three-quarters of a mile east of the park on Flattop Mountain, All four passengers - two adults and two children - were killed in the crash. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 8/27]
The following updates have been received from parks affected by Hurricane Floyd (from north to south, more or less): o Shenandoah NP (VA) - The storm had little effect on the park ("we've had much worse, even from mild thunderstorms"). A few trees were down, but there were no reports of utility outages or infrastructure damage. [Ken Garvin and Daryl Rhodes, SERO, 9/16; Jim Burnett, CR, COLO, 9/16; Earle Kittleman, PAO, NCRO, 9/16; Robert Hickman, Superintendent, PRWI, 9/16; Norm Williams, CM, TIMU/FOCA, 9/16; Brian Peters, CR, CUIS, 9/16; Jim Zahradka, DR, CALO, 9/16; LES, CAHA, 9/16; Chris Revels, KIMO, 9/16; John Breen, Superintendent, FOPU, 9/16; Dispatch, DEWA, 9/17; Greg Stiles, Ken Johnson, SHEN, 9/16; Kevin FitzGerald, CR, CACO, 9/16; John Tucker, Superintendent, FOSU/CHPI, 9/16; Jose Rosario, CR, GATE, 9/16; Rosemary Williams, CANA, 9/16; Rick Nolan, CR, FOMC, 9/17; Tim Mauch, SPR, RICH, 9/17]
On the afternoon of September 6th, rangers Ken Mehne and John Patmore came upon a red Ford pickup parked at Turk Mountain overlook in the South District that they'd both seen parked several miles away the previous day. There were freshly dug ferns and moss-covered rocks and several digging instruments in the bed of the truck. The driver, J.W., 29, of Richmond, emerged from the woods a short time later. He freely admitted to removing moss from the park the previous day and also in August. He'd also collected moss and ferns earlier that day, and showed the two rangers the location where he'd gathered them. Mehne had J.W. replant 18 Christmas ferns that he'd unearthed several miles south of Turk Gap. J.W. admitted that he intended to use the ferns in his landscape business. Charges against him are pending at this time due to the necessity of further discussions with an assistant U.S. attorney present. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, 9/6]
Rangers Bruce Gagnon and Mark Cyr were on poaching patrol on opening day of the state archery season during the early morning hours of October 2nd when they saw a green Ford pickup cruising Skyline Drive and being operated in an erratic manner. They stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver, B.L.B. of Shenandoah, Virginia. They saw a bow and several arrows on the passenger seat, and, in the subsequent search of the truck, discovered a loaded crossbow bolt, a spotlight, several knives, a machete, three boxes of buckshot, and other hunting items. B.L.B. told the rangers he was in the park to "get meat." He was arrested and charged with hunting in the park, possession of a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle, and possession of a weapons in a national park. [Scot Bowen, SHEN, 10/5]
On the evening of March 17th, six motor vehicles parked along Skyline Drive in the South District were broken into. Various items were stolen, including several credit cards. A joint investigation by the park (ranger Ken Mehne and criminal investigator Tim Alley) and the Greene County Sheriff's Office led to the identification and interview of two men - B.P. and S.O., both 19 - and a juvenile female regarding their activities in the park on the 17th and their subsequent activities regarding the stolen property. Some of that property was recovered during consent searches. On September 19th, B.P. pled guilty to theft of property in magistrate's court. Charges of destruction of property and possession of stolen property were dropped as per prior agreement. He was sentenced to a year's unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $2,427.50 in restitution to his victims. S.O. pled guilty to all of the above three charges; he was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and ordered to pay $4,032.50 in restitution. The juvenile female was not prosecuted. Ranger Ken Mehne was the case agent. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 10/6]
A 63-year-old hiker from Fairfax, Virginia, was climbing on Old Rag Mountain on October 31st when he collapsed within a large boulder fissure near the summit. A physician in the area attended to him and contacted park dispatch via a cellular phone. He reported that the hiker was likely suffering from a heart attack and that his condition was worsening. A ground team from the park was mobilized and Eagle One, the Park Police helicopter, was dispatched to the park. Flight paramedic Doug Bullock and ranger Scot Bowen were lowered from Eagle One onto the mountain. On-scene ranger Liz Yee joined them in stabilizing the victim and hoisting him aboard the helicopter. He was flown to Fairfax Medical Center for further treatment. [Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN, 10/31]
On the afternoon of September 6th, rangers Ken Mehne and John Patmore came upon a red Ford pickup parked at Turk Mountain overlook in the South District that they'd both seen parked several miles away the previous day. There were freshly dug ferns and moss-covered rocks and several digging instruments in the bed of the truck. The driver, J.W., 29, of Richmond, emerged from the woods a short time later. He freely admitted to removing moss from the park the previous day and also in August. He'd also collected moss and ferns earlier that day, and showed the two rangers the location where he'd gathered them. J.W. admitted that he intended to use the ferns in his landscape business. On November 18th, J.W. was found guilty of violating the regulation on preservation of natural features (36 CFR 2.1(a)(1)(iii)) in magistrate's court in Charlottesville. He was sentenced to two years' probation, banned from entering all NPS and USFS areas for two years, and ordered to pay restitution of $375 for the plants he removed. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 11/22]
Front Royal entrance station fee employee Barbara Jessee reported hearing gunshots from a boundary area near the start of Skyline Drive on the morning of November 25th (Thanksgiving). Rangers Dana Sullivan and Carol Leggat investigated, checking the property of a resident whose lands abut the park. They discovered an intermittent trail of deer hair and blood about 25 yards from a house under construction. Sullivan and Leggat tracked the faint trail back into the park to the apparent kill site. The site, located about 30 yards inside the park, was within sight of a newly-erected tree stand located on private land belonging to R.M.B. A perimeter search revealed no trace of deer tracks, blood or hair originating from R.M.B.'s property. On the following day, game check cards were obtained from an area game check station that indicated that R.M.B. had killed a ten-point buck on November 20th on private property. Two federal search warrants were obtained, one for R.M.B.'s current in-town residence and the other for the house under construction. They were executed on November 29th by rangers, state game wardens, and Front Royal police officers. Numerous pieces of comparison evidence were collected, including deer parts, meat, hunting equipment and hunting records. Also seized were an ATV and .243 caliber hunting rifle. Additional consent searches at an area taxidermist and neighbor's residence yielded a ten-point deer rack and additional packaged deer meat. The investigation continues. A separate investigation into R.M.B.'s western big game hunting trips and interstate game activities has also been launched. [Clyde Yee, CI, SHEN, 12/5]
Park dispatch received a cellular phone call reporting a motor vehicle down an embankment with a woman trapped underneath around 4 p.m. on March 26th. Rangers found the overturned vehicle about 200 feet down the hillside; the woman underneath it was in her early twenties and had been dead for about a week. Dental records were used to determine her identity as J.K., 21, of Munhall, Pennsylvania. J.K. was last seen on March 13th after an argument with her boyfriend. Investigation revealed that her car went off the road at an extremely high rate of speed and traveled through the air for over 100 feet before hitting the ground and tumbling down the rocky embankment. J.K. had a past history of depression and suicide attempts. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 4/3]
A park neighbor reported hearing an aircraft in distress and a subsequent "thud" near the park boundary at Madison Run just after noon on Friday, April 14th. An initial search was conducted along Skyline Drive and U.S. 340 and was soon augmented by CAP airplanes and Forest Service and Virginia State Police helicopters. Ground searchers began working up the Trayfoot Mountain trail, near the point where the aircraft had disappeared from radar. The downed plane was spotted from the Forest Service helicopter around 3:30; it was about 100 feet northwest of the trail at the mountain's 3,040-foot elevation. Ranger John Patmore reached the wreckage a short time later and confirmed that the pilot - the plane's lone occupant - had been killed. Due to poor weather and lack of daylight, the body was not recovered until Saturday. An on-site investigation has been conducted by FAA, NTSB and Virginia State Police. The 1967 Cessna 172H had departed from Williamsburg, Virginia, around 11 a.m. on the date of the crash. The pilot's destination was Shenandoah Valley Airport, about eight miles west of the crash site. Site restoration will be coordinated with the aircraft owner's insurance company. [Rick Childs, IC, SHEN, 4/16]
On the afternoon of August 19th, park dispatch received a cell phone report that a 17-year-old ROTC student from Manassas had fallen 15 feet off a ledge on the summit of Old Rag Mountain. A ground evacuation team led by ranger Bob Kreiling and including ranger/paramedic John Patmore and ranger/park medic Scot Bowen responded. Prior to their arrival, the girl's condition was monitored by a nurse and later by an orthopedic surgeon, both hikers who happened to be passing by. An hour after the initial report, the doctor reported by phone that the girl was suffering from one or two spinal fractures and possible internal injuries, adding that he felt her condition was deteriorating. A Park Police helicopter piloted by sergeant Kevin Duckworth and staffed by two rescue technicians - sergeant Kathleen Harasek and officer David Stallman - was dispatched. They picked up two rangers en route to the scene. Ranger/park medic Dixon Freeland and ranger Bill Cardwell were inserted on the mountain via a jungle penetrator cable, where they joined the early arriving members of the ground team. Medics began administering advanced life support measures and prepared the girl for evacuation. The litter was then hoisted aboard Eagle 1, which was hovering 60 feet overhead. The girl was then flown to Fairfax Memorial Hospital. Each year, the Park Police aviation unit and Shenandoah rangers train for exactly this type of mission. [Clayton Jordan, DR, SHEN, 8/19]
On the afternoon of August 25th, the park was notified that a 23-year-old woman had been injured in a fall in White Oak Canyon. M.S. was swinging from a rope near a pool at the base of a waterfall when she fell onto a rock slab underneath the surface. An evacuation team led by ranger Liz Yee and a technical rescue team led by ranger Bill Cardwell responded. M.S. was found at the edge of the water, and had an open compound fracture in her lower leg. Advanced life support was begun while the technical rescue team rigged a series of belay points. She was extricated from the rugged canyon and evacuated up the trail; the entire operation took over seven hours. M.S. was taken by ambulance to Culpepper Hospital and is in good condition. Ranger Bob Kreiling was the incident commander. [Clayton Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 8/26]
A large-scale search was begun on September 9th for a 30-year-old Virginia man who was discovered missing from his campsite around 8 a.m. The man, who has the mental capacity of a five-year-old, was camping with an Easter Seals group at Dundo campground. Information gleaned from interviews suggested that he'd walked away from the campground around 6 a.m. A hasty search was undertaken, but no sign of him was found. Dog teams were deployed and field teams assembled when he walked out on his own just before 4 p.m. He was in good condition, with only a few minor scrapes and bumps. A total of 48 people were involved in the search - 18 from the park and 30 from outside agencies. Clay Jordan was IC. [Greg Stiles, ACR, SHEN, 9/11]
On Tuesday, September 26th, R.B., 68, of Graves Mill, Virginia, left his residence to search for ginseng plants. He failed to return that evening, and the Madison County Sheriff's Department was notified. They contacted the park on September 27th. R.B.'s vehicle was found parked near the park boundary in the Graves Mill area. A unified command was established with the sheriff's department and a search was begun. Search segments include several large areas inside the park. Over 100 searchers are currently assigned to the operation. Although R.B. is extremely familiar with the area and has never been reported lost, he does suffer from a chronic medical condition. Clayton Jordan is IC for the NPS. [Greg Stiles, Acting CR, SHEN, 9/28]
On Tuesday, September 26th, R.B., 68, of Graves Mill, Virginia, left his residence to search for ginseng plants. When he failed to return that evening, a search for him was begun. About 100 people were involved in the operation each day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. That number increased to 250 searchers on Saturday and 200 on Sunday. Investigative information and some significant clues led searchers to focus on an area about a quarter mile outside the park. On Sunday afternoon, a search team consisting of community volunteers and led by ranger Bob Kreiling found R.B.'s body in that area. The cause of death was not apparent. An investigation is being conducted by the county sheriff's office. [Greg Stiles, Acting CR, SHEN, 10/1]
On the afternoon of December 12th, D.L., 36, of Elkton, Virginia, was dropped off near the park boundary to go hunting. When he failed to return home within a few hours, the county sheriff's office began a search. The park joined in the next day upon notification that investigators had determined that D.L. might have intended to hunt within the park. About 150 people were involved in the search by the afternoon of December 13th. A volunteer searcher found his body about 300 yards within the park around 1:30 p.m. Preliminary investigation, led by NPS SA Ken Johnson, revealed no evidence of foul play or traumatic injury. Examination by a medical examiner is pending. [Clay Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 12/15]
A search was begun on February 1st for a 54-year-old man from Chevy Chase, Maryland, when his car was found to have been parked at the Gimlet Ridge overlook for three nights. This attracted the attention of rangers because there are no trailheads near the overlook. A search dog team found the man's body near the overlook just before midnight. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. [Alan Sager, DR, North District, SHEN, 2/3]
Allan D. Sager, 48, district ranger for the park's North District, passed away yesterday at his home in McGaheysville, Virginia, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Alan is survived by his wife, N.G.S., an NPS employee, his children, R.S., 17, T.S., 11, and D.S., 10, and his parents and a brother. Alan's memorial service has been planned for 2 p.m. on Monday, July 2nd, at the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Virginia. Alan's family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service. They have requested that friends and co-workers send written memories, photos and other memorabilia relating to Alan's life instead of sympathy cards so that his children may understand the impact Alan had on his friends and extended Park Service family. These can be sent to Shenandoah National Park, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835, Reference: Sager Family. Kyger and Trobaugh Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements (115 Nicholson Road, Elkton, Virginia 22827, phone 540-298-1279). The park has set up an automated phone line for directions to the church, details on flower arrangements for the service, updates or changes, and other pertinent information. The number is 540-999-3299 and will be in operation beginning at noon today. Additional information on the uniform of the day will be posted there. For information on lodging assistance, call the park's communications center at 540-999-3422. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 6/29)
A memorial service for Alan Sager, district ranger for the park's North District, was conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 2nd. Over 400 friends, family and co-workers attended. Alan passed away on June 28th after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The service was held at the Mill Creek Church of the Brethren in Port Republic, Virginia. A National Park Service presence was markedly visible in tribute to Alan and in support of his family; the large number of Shenandoah employees in attendance were joined by employees and friends from eleven other NPS areas, including the Washington Office, the Northeast Region's support office and the Park Police. Representatives from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Department and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries also attended, as did people from groups that reflected Alan's commitment to his family and involvement in his community, including church, elementary school, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and soccer teams. The family has also asked that memorial contributions be made (in lieu of flowers) to either of the following: o Alan and N.'s friends at Shenandoah National Park have established a memorial fund for the Sager Family. Contributions may be sent to First Union Securities, P.O. Box 1187, Harrisonburg, VA 22803, Attn: Ron Holsinger. Please include a note designating the contribution as a gift for the Sager family. Checks should be made payable to N.S. Please indicate in your note if you want your gift to remain anonymous. o Alan and N. received support from the Rockingham Regional Cancer Center throughout this past year. Contributions may be sent to The Rockingham Regional Cancer Center, 35 E. Grace St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. As was noted in the June 29th Morning Report, Alan's family is interested in collecting written memories, photos and other memorabilia relating to Alan's life so that his children may understand the impact that he had on his friends and extended Park Service family. These can be sent to Shenandoah National Park, 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, Virginia 22835, Reference: Sager Family. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 7/3]
Amerigas Propane deliveryman T.H., 32, was filling a propane tank at the Loft Mountain camp store early on the morning of July 26th when an unknown source of ignition caused a flashback fire that burned his face, arms, and hands. Campground hosts John and Erma O'Brien called the park communications center and a rescue squad was dispatched to the campground. Shortly thereafter, it was determined that a medical air ambulance was needed. Ranger Scot Bowen arrived and assumed command of the incident prior to the helicopter's arrival; the O'Brien's performed as landing zone coordinators. T.H. was loaded onto the helicopter and flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center Burn Unit. His condition was not known at the time of the report. Bowen, SA Tim Alley and ranger Steve Barto are investigating the accident. [Rick Childs, DR, South District, SHEN, 7/26]
On July 8th, severe rains caused flash flooding throughout southern West Virginia, including the park. The Eastern IMT was subsequently assigned to assist with recovery operations. It concluded its work this week, and turned the incident over to the park. A Type III IMT (Rick Brown, IC) is now managing the incident. On July 26th, the region was again hit by very heavy rains, causing the park to again place a priority on public safety and assistance to local communities. Here's a summary of yesterday's developments: o The new flooding washed out almost all temporary repairs in Thayer. The area is again accessible only by river and via railroad right-of-way. Because of slides on Route 41, the community of Terry may also need help. Park employees evacuated four campers from Glade Creek campground and residents from four homes in Prince. High waters kept workers away from the Wolf Creek Bridge site at Fayette Station. o The watershed is saturated and rain is forecast for the weekend. Park staff accordingly prepared for more flooding. At headquarters, they moved more equipment and materials up off the floors and sandbagged buildings. The ICP has moved from HQ to the wastewater treatment plant at Burnwood near the Canyon Rim VC. o The planned re-opening of the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center was postponed, as Route 25, the road to Thurmond, sustained more damage. Highway crews are working on repairs. o The resource assessment team took advantage of the weather to make an aerial survey. They detected some movement within the existing slides, but no additional slides. The team plans on conducting a briefing for the park on Monday. o Rusty's Shuttle has begun a shuttle for individual boaters under a contract with the NPS. It will run through the weekend and its effectiveness will be examined early in the week. The service is free to the public. It is being used primarily as an attempt to reduce safety hazards related to many vehicles travelling narrow, winding, flood-damaged roads. [Barbara Stewart, IO, IMT, 7/27]
On January 18, 1999, the opening phase of Operation SOUP (Special Operation to Uncover Poaching), a three-year investigation into illegal hunting and commercial sale of black bear parts, came to a head with the arrest of 25 individuals who were charged with a total of 112 state violations. Over 100 rangers, officers and wardens made the arrests in a joint operation by the NPS and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, with assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The initial phase of the investigation focused primarily on the sources of supply of bears and bear parts. Since then, this intensive, multi-agency investigation has been directed toward the end consumers and the international exportation of bear parts. During April and June of this year, federal grand jury indictments were obtained which charged ten Virginia and Maryland residents with 20 felony Lacey Act violations and included the seizure of three vehicles. The indicted have been involved in the international trade in black bear gallbladders, supplying customers with gallbladders with a total black market value of about $500,000. The investigation has also exposed what is now believed to be a rapidly expanding domestic market for bear parts and for other park flora and fauna, including threatened plant species. Valuable information has been gained on black market trends and networks and the types of organizational structures involved in these criminal enterprises. The serious decline of the Asian black bear population has led to the American black bear becoming a major target for commercial trade. It now appears that there is also significant black market trading in other flora and fauna. Future state and additional federal wildlife charges are anticipated. The results to date reflect a coordinated effort among investigators, rangers, game wardens, and representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia, with assistance from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the FBI. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 8/2]
On Monday, October 15th, the park received a report that two backpackers were overdue from a hike in the Conway River area. R.M., 50, and his son, B., 11, left for an overnight backpacking trip on Saturday, but failed to return. Rangers found R.M.'s vehicle at an Appalachian Trail trailhead. A high-urgency, multi-agency search was launched, prompted in part by R.M.'s medical history. A ground search team found R.M. and his son near the park's boundary yesterday afternoon. Both were in good condition. About 115 people were searching for the pair at the time they were found. [Clayton Jordan, DR, Central District, SHEN, 10/16]
Park wilderness coordinator S.G. suffered a serious back injury while sledding with his children at Massanutten on the morning of Sunday, January 20th. He was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a "burst fracture" of the lower thoracic area of his spine (T-12); although he initially lost all sensation and movement in his legs, he responded well to medication and regained significant movement and sensation in both legs. S.G. underwent surgery on Tuesday morning and is currently in the hospital's neurological intensive care unit. The objectives of the operation, deemed a success, were to remove a bone fragment which was placing pressure on his spinal column and to replace the section of the spine that was damaged. Due to the nature of the injury, there are no tests that doctors can perform that will determine how complete his recovery will be or when it will occur. Current plans are to transfer him to a rehabilitation unit in Charlottesville in the near future. S.G.'s spouse, ranger L.G., has asked friends and colleagues to refrain from calling or visiting him at he hospital so that he will have a chance to recover from the surgery. Notes and cards can be sent to him at Room 6182, UVA Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, or you can send a note via email to the family at wergreen@earthlink.net. If you have kids, you might get them to produce and send drawings, as the park hopes to plaster his bedroom walls with such art. The G. family extends its sincere thanks for the outpouring of support they have received already. Further updates will appear in the Morning Report. If you're in the NPS, you can also get on an email mailing list to receive direct updates by sending a note to Tracy Thetford at Shenandoah NP; if you're outside the NPS, you can do the same by contacting Skip Wissinger at longwalk3@aol.com. [Tracy Thetford, Clay Jordan, SHEN, 1/23]
Park wilderness coordinator S.G. suffered a serious back injury while sledding with his children at Massanutten on the morning of Sunday, January 20th. He was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a "burst fracture" of the lower thoracic area of his spine (T-12) and underwent surgery and physical therapy for the injury. On February 12th, S.G. was released from the hospital, as he had improved significantly since his operation. Through use of a walker and his upper body strength, he is now able to walk for short distances, though he remains dependent on a wheelchair. His motor function is expected to improve with time and further physical therapy, but doctors are unable to predict the extent of his recovery. Improvement in spinal cord injury patients may occur over a time period of from six to twelve months - or longer. S.G. will undergo outpatient physical therapy at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Hospital in Staunton. His healthy attitude and incredible spirit have been an inspiration to those around him. Messages may be sent to him at wergreen@earthlink.net. Cards may be mailed to his house. Please send a note to Clayton_Jordan@nps.gov for S.G.'s address. [Clayton Jordan, SHEN, 2/19]
On March 14th, park law enforcement staff received intelligence regarding an alleged multi-year conspiracy to collect naturally-shed deer antlers from within the park. The people involved in these thefts were also named as suspects in the theft of many other items from the park (including antique bottles) and the theft of surveillance equipment from the nearby George Washington NF. A joint investigation was begun by the park, Forest Service and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. On the afternoon of Friday, March 22nd, T.S. of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and M.L. of Shenandoah, Virginia, were apprehended after leaving the park with five antlers in their possession. M.L. subsequently admitted to frequent past trips to the park to collect antlers. Four federal search warrants were also executed that day. Two vehicles were seized which investigators believe were used to transport antlers from within the park; significant drug paraphernalia and other antlers taken during the past year were also recovered. Multiple federal charges will be filed, including violations of the Lacey Act, illegal taking of wildlife parts, theft, and drug possession. State grand larceny charges are also probable. It's estimated that T.S. and M.L. took between 75 and 100 antlers from the park over the past two years alone. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 3/26]
On April 2nd, a visitor reported a car parked at the Doyles River overlook on Skyline Drive with a hose extending from the exhaust pipe into the driver's compartment. Ranger Kimberly Mayo-Correal responded, but found the parking lot empty. Mayo-Correal searched for the car and found it pulling into another overlook. The driver had not taken her anti-depressants for three days; she had dropped her children, ages 12 and 15, at her mother's residence, and had left a suicide note. She was taken before a state magistrate, who placed a detention order on her, then was taken to a hospital. Investigation revealed that this was her second suicide attempt. If Mayo-Correal had not intervened, the woman said that she would have attempted to drive her car over a steep embankment on Skyline Drive or found a more secluded area to again attempt suicide. [Rick Childs, SHEN, 4/5]
A federal grand jury in Charlottesville, Virginia, has indicted D.D.R., 34, of Columbia, Maryland, on four counts of capital murder in the May, 1996, killings of J.W. and L."L."W. in the park. The indictment was announced through a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia and a press conference held in Washington by Attorney General Ashcroft. The incident began when the two women were reported overdue from a circuit hike in the park during the last week of May, 1996. Rangers began a search and found the bodies of the two women on the morning of June 1st. Both were bound and gagged and had had their throats cut. Since then, the FBI and National Park Service have joined forces to follow-up on an estimated 15,000 leads and contacts in their six-year investigation. D.D.R. has been charged with the capital murder of J.W. and L.W., and has also been charged with capital murder and intentionally selecting and murdering the victims because of their actual or perceived gender or sexual orientation. These "hate crime" murder counts are based on a sentencing enhancement in the federal sentencing guidelines. This case is believed to be the first federal murder prosecution brought under these provisions. If convicted on any counts in the indictment, D.D.R. could be subject to the death penalty. D.D.R. is currently serving a 135-month federal sentence as a result of his conviction for attempted kidnapping in Shenandoah NP on July 9, 1997 (97-311). In that case, a female cyclist told ranger John Waterman that she'd been assaulted by a man in a pickup who had forced her off the road, then attempted to pull her into his truck. She successfully fought him off and fled the area. Ranger Steve Barto intercepted the vehicle and arrested D.D.R., who subsequently pled guilty to attempted abduction. The investigation into the two murders was conducted by FBI SA Jane Collins and NPS SA Timothy Alley for the National Park Service. Criminal Chief Thomas J. Bondurant and AUSA Anthony Giorno will prosecute the case. Attorney General Ashcroft had this to say about the case: "Earlier today, I had an opportunity to meet the parents of these young women, who are with us this morning. And now, as then, I struggled to express the deep sadness that we feel for the great loss of these families. We pray for their families. These families have suffered what Americans now know all too well. That's the pain and destruction wrought by hate. Just as the United States will pursue, prosecute and punish terrorists who attack America out of hatred for what we believe, we will pursue, prosecute and punish those who attack law-abiding Americans out of hatred for who they are. Hatred is the enemy of justice, regardless of its source.? Our message this morning is unambiguous and clear. The volatile, poisonous mixture of hatred and violence will not go unchallenged in the American system of justice. By invoking the hate crimes enhancement parts of sentencing enhancement today, today's murder indictment makes clear our commitment to seek every prosecutorial advantage and to use every available statute to secure justice for victims like J.W. and L.W." [News release, United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia, 4/10; transcript, Attorney General's press conference, DOJ Conference Center, 4/10]
On the afternoon of April 8th, ranger Todd Remaley contacted a man at the entrance to Matthews Arm campground who had a number of deer antlers in his possession. Remaley determined that he'd been collecting from the park for a number of years; the man admitted to collecting in the park ten times this year alone. A consent search was conducted of his house which led to the seizure of 138 antlers and a small amount of drugs. The investigation continues and charges are pending. This is the second significant antler poaching case documented within the park in the last two months. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 4/9]
On the evening of April 12th, ranger Carol Leggat was contacted by a woman who was concerned with the welfare of her fiance, K.K., 52, an employee of Aramark (the park concessioner) and a resident in the Panorama Building dormitory. When several attempts to rouse K.K. failed, Leggat broke a window and entered the room. K.K. was found apnic, pulseless and displaying signs that he had been dead for several hours. K.K. had an extensive medical history and was currently taking numerous prescription drugs. The investigation continues, but initial indications are that his death was the result of natural causes. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 4/16]
J.C., 37, of Van Nuys, California, was hiking with relatives on the Jones Run trail on the afternoon of May 26th when he slipped while attempting to view Jones Run Falls from above, attempted unsuccessfully to grab a small tree, and fell about 30 feet onto his left side. District ranger Rick Childs assessed J.C. and requested a litter team and park medics. Grottoes Rescue Squad, Grottoes FD and Elkton Emergency Squad personnel assisted park staff in the treatment and evacuation of J.C. the better part of two miles up the trail to a waiting medevac helicopter. He was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment of a left hip socket fracture, left facial orbital fracture, and contusions. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 5/28]
On the afternoon of July 1st, visitors reported finding what appeared to be a suicide victim on the Appalachian Trail near Skyline Drive in the North District. Responding ranger Todd Remaley found the body of a 49-year-old Woodbridge, Virginia, man at the scene. Notifications to the family were made with the assistance of staff from Prince William Forest Park. Although the medical examiner initially called the fatality a suicide, the case remains under investigation. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN, 7/2]
On the evening of August 19th, park dispatch received a call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center reporting that the wreckage of a missing Cessna 172 with one person on board had been spotted about a mile and a half east of Swift Run and a mile north of Route 33. A ground search ensured that involved about 65 people from the park, Appalachian Search and Rescue Conference, CAP, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Greene County Rescue Squad, and Harrisonburg Rescue Squad. The aircraft was found by rangers on Saddleback Mountain a third of a mile north of the Appalachian Trail just outside the park at 1:15 a.m. the next morning. The pilot did not survive. A joint investigation by NTSB, FAA and Virginia State Police is underway. [Ginny Rousseau, CR, SHEN]
On the morning of October 9, the park received a BOL (be on the lookout) message from Front Royal PD for a white box truck similar to the one associated with the recent series of sniper shootings in Maryland and Virginia. Because the vehicle had been seen near the park, employees were moved from highly public areas to safer locations. Skyline Drive and developed areas were thoroughly checked, but no sign of the truck was found. A local citizen mistakenly assumed that the search meant that the sniper was in the park, which led to some local concern and media interest. Park law enforcement staff worked with local agencies to quickly ascertain that neither the vehicle nor a suspect appeared to be in or near the park. [Submitted by Greg Stiles, Assistant Chief Ranger]
E.C., 50, of Dyke, Virginia, was arrested at his home on November 6 and charged on one count of producing an illegal controlled substance (21 USC 841(a)(1)). The arrest stemmed from an investigation that followed the discovery of a marijuana plot in the park in October, 2001. E.C. lives in the Bacon Hollow area, which borders the park. Rangers were assisted by Green County deputies, U.S. marshals, and Customs agents. [Submitted by Karen Beck-Herzog]
Additional information has been received on the November 6 arrest of Edison Crawford, 50, for growing marijuana in the park. The arrest stemmed from an investigation that followed the discovery of a marijuana plot in Shenandoah NP in October, 2001. Rangers pulled a large number of plants from within the park; together, they had an estimated street value of over $66,000. During the execution of the arrest and search warrant at Crawford's house, rangers, federal marshals and county officers, assisted by a Customs narcotics dog and handler, found additional marijuana and a number of firearms. ATF has expressed an interest in the case. Ranger Matt Stoffolano was IC for the operation; Ken Mehne was the case ranger. [Submitted by Ginny Rousseau, Chief Ranger]
Facility manager Chester Mikus lost his year-long battle with cancer on the morning of November 24 at the University of Virginia Hospital. Chester's career in the National Park Service spanned 25 years. He started as a temporary maintenance worker at Grand Canyon, then achieved permanent status at Glen Canyon. From there, he went on to positions at Assateague Island and Independence. Chester was described by co-workers as an excellent leader, someone who approached his job with gusto, a can-do attitude, and a sense of humor; he could make his fellow workers laugh even during difficult times. Chester's involvement with the NPS extended beyond his regular duties. As a member of Northeast Region's incident management team, he provided logistics support for many significant events, including Hurricane Andrews in 1992, the Yosemite flood in 1997, the New River Gorge flood in 2001, and the comprehensive condition assessment program. In the days following 9/11, Chester was recognized for his contributions in helping manage the NPS response. His logistics and operations skills also played a vital role at Shenandoah before and during major searches, fires, and high-profile park events. Chester was loved and respected by many and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, K.M., his son Ca.M., 13, and his daughter Co.M., 11. A memorial service was held yesterday at the park's Panorama Building; another ceremony for family and friends will be held on December 14 in Morristown, New Jersey, where Chester grew up. Donations can be made to a scholarship fund set up for Casey and Colleen. Checks payable to Shenandoah National Park Association should be mailed to 3655 Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. Please indicate the purpose of the check in the memo section. Donations can also be made to the Myloma Fund, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607. Condolences may be sent to the family. Questions on any of the above should be directed to Karen Beck-Herzog at 540-999-3300. [Submitted by Dennis McGinnis, Facility Manager]
Ranger Joshua Shimko contacted a group in Big Meadows campground on
the morning of July 13th regarding repeated camping violations. An NCIC
check revealed that one of the members of the party, D.W. of
Havre De Grace, Maryland, was wanted in Maryland on felony warrants and
might be armed. D.W. disobeyed commands from the ranger and fled into
the woods on foot. During a manhunt that followed, ranger Bobby Fleming
gave the suspect's physical description to J.C., a vacationing
U.S. deputy marshal from Washington, D.C. While hiking with his wife
about two hours later, J.C. spotted D.W. on the Rose River Trail,
about a mile from the campground. With the benefit of surprise,
J.C. confronted D.W. and held him at gunpoint while his wife ran
up the trail in order to call rangers on her cell phone. Rangers took
D.W. into custody without further incident. Supervisory ranger Dixon
Freeland was the incident commander.
A.K., 10, became lost while hiking the Dark Hollow Falls Trail with
his family on the morning of Monday, August 4th. A.K. had run ahead of them on
the trail. Efforts to find the boy by family members and visitors proved
fruitless, so rangers were notified. They began a hasty search later that
morning, which escalated to a full search as the day went on. By late evening,
dozens of state-certified searchers from numerous SAR organizations had joined
the effort. They were subsequently joined by dog teams, Maryland and Virginia
sheriff's department officers, and NPS employees from numerous Northeast,
National Capital and Southeast Region parks. All told, about 150 searchers and
overhead were involved in the operation. The search continued through the night
and into Tuesday. Around 7 p.m., a team comprised of NCR employees found the boy
along Rose River less than a mile from the point where he'd last been seen. He
had lost his glasses and shoes and was suffering from dehydration and minor
injuries. Lora Peppers was the initial IC. Ranger Julena Campbell, who was one
of the liaisons to A.K.'s family, subsequently sent the following note to those
who participated in the search: "I wanted to take a moment to pass along all of
the thanks and warmest regards that the A.K. family wishes to express to each
and every person that helped support this effort in any way. As one of two
family liaisons, I spent a significant amount of time with the family.
Throughout the entire incident, they continually expressed two things to me: one
obviously being that they couldn't wait to see their son again, and the other
how much they appreciated everything that the NPS family and all of the other
agencies and volunteers did to help out. They were overwhelmed by the outpouring
of support. I promised them that I would do my best to make sure everyone
involved received their message of thanks. Please pass this message on to others
who helped out by springing into action and doing everything possible to make
this family's hopes come true. On behalf of the A.K. family, 'Thank you all,
from the bottom of our heart.'
P.D. was scrambling on rocks in the Betty's Rock area in
Central District on the evening of August 11th when he fell about 40
feet to a cliff ledge and sustained several injuries. Family members
called for help via cell phone and rangers and members of the park's
technical rescue team responded. Ranger/parkmedic Bill Archard employed
advanced life support to stabilize P.D., after which he was raised via
litter and taken by ambulance to Page Memorial Hospital. The rescue took
about four hours. Ranger Matt Richardson was the IC.
Eastern parks in the path or potential path of Isabel have completed preparations. As a precautionary measure, one of the Service's two national Type 1 teams (JD Swed's team) has staging in Charlotte, North Carolina, in order to be prepared to respond as needed to any park or area. A number of Type 2 teams are also on standby. All federal agencies in the Washington area are closed today, including the NPS Washington Office. OPM will monitor the weather and make a determination later today on whether or not offices will reopen on Friday. Here's a rundown on the status of many of the parks in or near the storm's path (south to north):
This summary was compiled from reports submitted by Ken Garvin, SERO; Brenda Ritchie, EICC, SHEN; Russ Wilson, Superintendent, SAHO/GATE; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR; Mark Hardgrove, Assistant Superintendent, CAHA; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Wayne Valentine, IC, FIIS; José Rosario, Acting Chief, Park Operations Support, GATE; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH; William Kenyon, NCR Dispatch; Scot McElveen, Chief Ranger, HAFE; Wayne Sanders, Chief of Maintenance, GEWA/THST; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP; Clay Jordan, IC, SHEN; Steven Ambrose, Park Ranger, HOFU; Frank Mills, IC, STLI; Ed Whitaker, IC, DEWA.
Hurricane Isabel caused moderate to extensive damage in many parks within Southeast, National Capital and Northeast Regions. As of yesterday, 36 parks had reported damage sufficient to require the preparation of conditions assessments. Although most of these parks are not requesting any additional assistance, several have sustained damage sufficient to warrant oversight of recovery efforts by incident management teams:
These teams will be seeking substantial assistance in their efforts to recover from the hurricane. Resource orders are being processed and parks should expect to be asked to commit personnel to these operations. One of the resources being ordered is a team of Facility Management Software System (FMSS) specialists, who will work under the direction of Type 1 team deputy IC Dennis McGinnis to input and compile information on hurricane-related facilities damage. This system, now being used by all parks, should provide the most accurate costs of funding required for hurricane repair. Aerial assessments of the Virginia parks will be completed on Monday. Orders for about 90 resource orders are being lined up for processing as soon as the Type 1 team gets sorted out in its new location. Among the specialists to be ordered are Type 1 saw crews, electricians, carpenters and HVAC mechanics; equipment includes dump trucks and front end loaders. At present, there are 28 people assigned to the incident. Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Doug Wallner, NERO; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR; Wouter Ketel, IC, and Bob Vogel, Superintendent, CALO; Paul Stevens, Liaison Officer, IMT, and Barry Munyan, ADR, CAHA; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA; Reed Johnson, Superintendent, APCO; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS; Charlie Strickfaden, Chief Ranger, FOMC; Gregory Smith, Chief Ranger, MORR; Maryanne Gerbauckas, Superintendent, EDIS; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP.
Hurricane Isabel caused moderate to extensive damage in many parks within Southeast, National Capital and Northeast Regions. As of yesterday, 36 parks had reported damage sufficient to require the preparation of conditions assessments. Although most of these parks are not requesting any additional assistance, several have sustained damage sufficient to warrant oversight of recovery efforts by incident management teams. Here's a rundown on the affected parks (south to north), excluding those that reported negligible impacts:
Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Doug Wallner, NERO; Ann Childress, Superintendent, MOCR; Wouter Ketel, IC, and Bob Vogel, Superintendent, CALO; Paul Stevens, Liaison Officer, IMT, and Barry Munyan, ADR, CAHA; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA; Reed Johnson, Superintendent, APCO; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS; Charlie Strickfaden, Chief Ranger, FOMC; Gregory Smith, Chief Ranger, MORR; Maryanne Gerbauckas, Superintendent, EDIS; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP.
Damage assessments and the organization of repair and rehabilitation operations are underway at parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. Assisting with and supporting these efforts are JD Swed's Type 1 team (currently relocating from Charlotte to Williamsburg), Rick Brown's Type 2 team, and Clay Jordan's Type 3 team at Shenandoah. Here's a rundown on the current status of affected parks (south to north): Shenandoah NP Clay Jordan, IMT for the park's Type 3 team, estimates that it will be a long time before the park is fully operational again. Efforts are focused on opening up Skyline Drive from the Thornton Gap entrance and Route 211 to Skyland, then on to Big Meadows. They hope to open Skyland by the weekend. Power will be available to Skyland by that time, but there's no estimate yet on when it will be returned at Big Meadows. An assessment of historic Camp Hoover revealed probable minor damage from a falling tree. Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Ken Garvin, SERO; Don Boucher, NCRO; Bob Martin and Doug Wallner, NERO; Mary Doll, PIO, Outer Banks Group; Wouter Ketel, IC/Chief Ranger, and Donna Tipton, PIO, CALO; Laura Joss, Superintendent, FOMC; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA/THST; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH/MAWA; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Laurie Coughlan, Superintendent, HAMP; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Tom Nash, Chief Ranger, COLO; Bill Sanders, Superintendent, HOFU; Mike Hill, Superintendent, ASIS.
Yesterday's efforts focused largely on organizing incident management operations, orienting incoming personnel, obtaining equipment, and gathering important damage cost data for the regional and Washington offices. Initial recovery efforts were hampered by heavy rain that fell on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, causing new flood damage in many areas already affected by Isabel. The following reports were received from parks and regions over the past 24 hours. They are listed from south to north. This information either supplements or revises information previously reported; no effort is being made to recap earlier submissions with each new summary. Through the assistance of David Duran in the Service's National Information Systems Center in Denver, URL's are posted below for maps of three of the hardest hit parks - Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras, and Colonial - so that readers can more easily determine referenced locations. Others will be added in the future as needed. You can zoom in or out or pan from one park to another and can also turn additional data layers on or off, e.g. National Geographic TOPO!, Relief Imagery, Flood Hazard Areas, Land Cover Imagery, etc. The sites are, respectively: http://maps2.itc.nps.gov/nps/parkatlas/jsp/atlas.jsp?zoomtopark=Cape%20Lookout%20National%20Seashore For a gallery of photos of the hurricane's effects on several parks, put together by WASO ITC's Ken Handwerger, please go to http://inside.nps.gov/ people/hurricane/. This gallery will be added to on a regular basis. Shenandoah NP Crews are continuing access, cleanup and assessment work. The main focus remains the Central District. Power has been restored to the Skyland area of the park, and a section of Skyline Drive that includes Skyland reopened at 3 p.m. yesterday. The backcountry in Central District also reopened at that time, with hazardous condition advisories posted. The park's trail system was hard hit, with tremendous tread damage and numerous downed trees. Most frontcountry facilities, however, suffered little damage. An additional four inches of rain fell on the park on Monday night, causing some additional water damage and downed trees. Additional reports will appear daily during recovery operations, which will likely go on for some time. Current information and essential documents from the incident management teams will be available at the IMT web page: http://www.nps.gov/fire/allrisk/. Please check if for additional details. Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Don Boucher, NCRO; Dan Davidson, Shenandoah EICC; Bob Kirby, Superintendent, PETE; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Bob Martin, Regional Chief Ranger, NERO; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH.
Overview Crews and other resources have been arriving at the Williamsburg ICP for JD Swed's Type 1 IMT since Wednesday, bringing the total number of personnel currently assigned to the incident to 131. Early work efforts are focused on orienting personnel to the operations, with a heavy emphasis on safety due to the increased hazards involved in tree removal operations, especially with vehicle traffic. Team members are also holding short training sessions on ICS for newly-arrived personnel, as there are many people coming to this incident with minimal previous exposure to the system. The FMSS team continues to compile and input facilities assessment information received from the 38 park units that sustained hurricane-related damage. The preliminary assessment has been 100% completed by the parks. The FMSS team members are going out to parks beginning today to conduct comprehensive condition assessments. Crews will continue work on clearing the Yorktown Battlefield tour road in Colonial NHP. Additional crews and other resources were dispatched yesterday to Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP, Richmond NB and Petersburg NB to work on tree clearing and other cleanup operations. Many employees working in the parks being managed in this incident are still without power at home. These same employees have been working for extended hours with little or no time off for over a week. A three-person Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) team was scheduled to arrive in Williamsburg yesterday. They will make arrangements to provide assistance to park employees dealing with incident-related stress Rick Brown's Type 2 team, which is focusing on four sites in what's being called the North Carolina Seashore Area, is divided into two branches. The Outer Banks Group branch has four divisions - one for Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh, one for Bodie Island, one for Hatteras Island, and one for Ocracoke Island; the Cape Lookout branch has two divisions - one for Core Banks and one for Portsmouth Village. Principal problems confronting personnel on this operation have to do with the time and distances between locations and the amount of travel required. Operations are underway in all divisions. Park Updates The following reports were received from parks and regions over the past 24 hours. They are listed from south to north. This information either supplements or revises information previously reported; no effort is being made to recap earlier submissions with each new summary.
Additional Information
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Dave Lattimore, Plans Chief, Type 1 IMT; Don Boucher, NCRO; Zeke Seabright, NCR Communications Center; Clay Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN; Bob Martin, Regional Chief Ranger, NERO; Cindy McLeod, Superintendent, RICH; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO.
Overview Crews continue to make excellent progress on all fronts of the recovery effort. One example of the great work taking place is that of the Augusta Hot Shot crew, whose members were clearing 100 trees per hour on a section of the Battlefield Tour Road at Yorktown on Friday. The tour road is almost cleared, but still needs to be cleaned before it can be opened to the public. Hazard tree removal at the Jamestown Visitor Center began on Saturday and included taking a large tree off the Glass House bathroom. The Glass House was also evaluated for other repairs needed. Crews are also on site at Richmond NB, Peterburg NB and Fredericksville/Spotsylvania NMP, where they continue to make headway on removing fallen trees from roads. The work emphasis there will soon shift from road clearing to trail clearing. A secure location to store and triage the Jamestown cultural artifact collection has been found, and staff began moving the objects on Saturday. They expect to have this task completed by early this week. The FMSS crew continues to track incident costs and assist parks with condition assessments. That work is expected to be completed by today. The team's logistics section has been providing support for personnel assigned to the NPS hurricane recovery efforts and for personnel from interagency teams and other agencies who are supporting emergency services in the area. This incident team is providing food and lodging to an additional 350 people, and supporting the incident personnel staged at local facilities near Richmond, Fredericksburg and Petersburg. There are now 185 people assigned to the incident. The incident costs to date are $563,546. Park Updates The following reports were received from parks and regions over the past 24 hours. They are listed from south to north. This information either supplements or revises information previously reported; no effort is being made to recap earlier submissions with each new summary.
Additional Information
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Dave Lattimore, Plans Chief, Type 1 IMT; Karen Beck-Herzog, SHEN; Russ Smith, Superintendent, FRSP; Cindy MacLeod, Superintendent, RICH.
The following reports reflect the status of operations through late Wednesday. Shenandoah NP An additional section of Skyline Drive and other facilities, closed due to Hurricane Isabel, were reopened yesterday. Skyline Drive is open from Front Royal at milepost 0 south to Swift Run Gap at milepost 65.5 - a section of the road that includes all of the North and Central Districts. The following facilities will reopen today:
Facilities and areas already re-opened include:
Skyline Drive in the South District, from Swift Run Gap at milepost 65.5 south to Rockfish Entrance Station at Waynesboro (milepost 105), remains closed. South River and Elkwallow picnic areas and all facilities at Loft Mountain remain closed due to hazardous trees. The remaining closed facilities will be reopened as conditions warrant. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park or may check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/shen. Additional Information
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Barb Stewart, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Dave Lattimore, Plans Chief, Type 1 IMT; Karen Beck-Herzog, PIO, SHEN.
The following reports reflect the status of operations through Sunday. Please note below that a second URL has been posted for hurricane recovery photos that are accessible to the general public: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/HurricaneIsabel/ Shenandoah NP Several more sections of the park have reopened over the past few days:
Skyline Drive from Loft Mountain south to the Rockfish Entrance Station at Waynesboro (milepost 105) remains closed, but the park expects to open the entire length of the drive by October 10th. South River and Elkwallow picnic areas remain closed due to hazardous trees. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park or may check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/shen. For information regarding the Skyland Stables, visitors should call 540-999-2210. Additional Information
Reports compiled from submissions by Kris Fister, IO, Type 1 IMT; Mark Harvey, Resource Unit Leader, Type 1 IMT; Michelle Fidler, IO, Type 2 IMT; Karl Merchant, Plans Chief, Type 2 IMT; Mike Litterst, PIO, COLO; Vidal Martinez, Superintendent, GEWA.
On Wednesday, January 7th, the NPS and Virginia Department of Game
and Inland Fisheries announced the results of a multi-year, joint
undercover investigation that has led to the filing of charges for
numerous wildlife violations and has linked the communities surrounding
the park with the multi-million-dollar international black market in
American black bears and ginseng plants. A total of 487 state charges
— 193 felonies and 294 misdemeanors — and 204 federal charges
— 99 felonies and 105 misdemeanors — have been filed against
over 100 people in seven states, the District of Columbia and one other
country. Operation VIPER (Virginia Interagency Effort to Protect
Environmental Resources) is the latest in a series of cooperative
interagency investigations into illegal wildlife activities. This
operation built upon previous state and federal undercover
investigations, including Operations SOUP (Special Operation to Uncover
Poaching), which was concluded in January, 1999. Evidence obtained from
Operation SOUP revealed the existence of extensive illegal taking and
trade in black bear parts from Virginia, including Shenandoah NP,
primarily with Asian markets in the Mid-Atlantic states and overseas.
Operation SOUP also revealed that many of the people involved in the
illegal bear trade were involved in the illegal commercial trade in wild
American ginseng roots, some of which were taken from the park. Over the
past three years, investigators have analyzed the flow of ginseng and
black bear parts and their interrelationship with each other — as
well as other commodities on the black market, including other
federally-protected species. An undercover agent set up and operated a
sporting goods business near Elkton that bought and sold bear parts and
ginseng roots, thereby making it possible for investigators to
infiltrate the community involved in these illegal takings. Operation
VIPER has uncovered evidence that whole bears, gall bladders, bear paws
and other bear parts originating in Virginia are being trafficked to
Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey,
New York, California and overseas. A direct connection between Virginia
and South Korea has been identified, as well as links to other
countries. Support for the operation was provided by the FBI, Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic
Laboratory, the United States Attorney's Office, and the Virginia
Commonwealth Attorney's Office.
On the evening of January 24th, a motorist stopped in at the
Sperryville Fire Department and reported that he'd seen a man walking
along the road in the dark on State Highway 211 where it passes through
the park. Despite the fact that the temperature was 18 degrees and
dropping, the man was naked. Though he was gone when a responding
Rappahannock County deputy arrived, the deputy was able to identify two
unoccupied vehicles parked at the Pass Mountain trailhead, one of which
turned out to belong to the mother of the person in question. When
contacted at her home in Richmond, she told the deputy that the vehicle
was being operated by her 27-year-old son, recently diagnosed with
bipolar disorder. Though inexperienced in the outdoors, she said that
her son had a strong affinity for the wilderness and an interest in
books on tracking and survival. The park was notified. With a winter
storm approaching the next day, the park began an all-out effort to find
him, utilizing park staff and personnel from state search and rescue
organizations. One of them was the Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group,
which was training nearby in the park at the time. A hasty search team
found the naked man huddled 30 to 40 yards off the trail about a
mile-and-a-half from the trailhead around 11 p.m. Although still
responsive, his body temperature had dropped below the point at which
shivering ceases. Ranger/medic Bill Archard stabilized him, after which
he was extricated by a litter team and transported to Culpepper Hospital
by the Sperryville Rescue Squad. Acting supervisory park ranger Bobby
Fleming and Central District DR Lora Peppers were the initial action
incident commanders.
On the evening of January 24th, a motorist stopped in at the
Sperryville Fire Department and reported that he'd seen a naked man
walking along State Highway 211 within the park. The temperature at the
time was 18 degrees and was dropping. Investigation revealed that he was
a 27-year-old Richmond resident who had recently been diagnosed with
bipolar disorder. A search was immediately mounted, and he was soon
found lying huddled 30 to 40 yards off the Pass Mountain trail about a
mile-and-a-half from the trailhead. Although still responsive, his body
temperature had dropped below the point at which shivering ceases. He
was treated by rangers at the scene, then taken to a hospital in
Culpepper, where he is being treated for complications from hypothermia
and for frostbite to his toes. At present, it doesn't appear that
amputations will be necessary. The man told rangers that he was
extremely grateful to be alive, and that, with a clear head, he now
realizes the danger in which he placed himself. His mother has extended
her sincere thanks for the efforts made by the park, sheriff's
department, state police and local EMS and SAR volunteers in rescuing
her son.
On June 7th, a Prince William County grand jury returned abduction,
robbery and malicious wounding indictments against D.R. for an
attack on a female motorist in the Manassas area in February, 1996.
D.R., a suspect in the murders of J.W. and L.W. in
Shenandoah NP in May, 1996, remains incarcerated on a federal abduction
conviction stemming from a July, 1997, attack on a female bicyclist
along Skyline Drive, also in Shenandoah NP. NPS and FBI agents are
working closely with Prince William County prosecutors and investigators
and the Virginia State Police on this case and other unsolved crimes
that occurred in the central Virginia area. For a related news story,
click on "More Information."
On the evening of June 14th, a visitor reported that he'd been
contacted by a physically handicapped man on the South River Falls trail
who'd asked him to go get help because his friend had shot himself ner
the falls and was still breathing. Ranger Dixon Freeland became IC and
coordinated a law enforcement/EMS/SAR response. The first rangers on
scene found the body of R.A., 52, of Huntingtown, Maryland.
Rangers and the Green County medical examiner subsequently conducted a
crime scene investigation. It appears that R.A. died from a gunshot
wound. A firearm was found nearby. Several suspicious circumstances led
to the launching of a particularly detailed death investigation, but
evidence at present suggests that the wound was self-inflicted. An
autopsy was to be conducted on June 16th. SA Skip Wissinger is leading
the investigation.
Campground hosts at Mathews Arm Campground were awakened and alerted
to an elderly camper experiencing heart trouble around
5:30 a.m. on July 5th. After calling for
assistance, campground hosts Jerry and Jane Brandt and Bill and
Cindy McBride headed for the site. They found Goleina Dove of Richland,
Virginia, in cardiac arrest. Cindy McBride and Jane Brandt, a licensed
RN, administered CPR and had her breath and pulse restored within a
minute. Rangers Dixon Freeland and Anthony Lutz arrived shortly
thereafter, took over medical care, and arranged transportation. Dove
was flown to the University of Virginia Hospital. A follow-up made 12
hours later revealed that she was in fair condition and being treated
for pneumonia.
Over the weekend of September 24th, ranger Tony Lutz learned of four vehicle break-ins that had occurred in the park's North District. The crimes were perpetrated in such a manner that the victims were not aware of the thefts until after their departure from the park. A total of nine credit cards were stolen. After a short investigation by Lutz, assisted by rangers from Boston NHP and Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania NMP and numerous Northeast Region special agents, a Budget rental van and several suspects from Rhode Island were identified. On Sunday, October 10th, Shenandoah ranger John Kinde came upon a Budget rental van in a secluded parking area in the park's South District. He contacted the occupants — C.B., 52, and his brother, M.B., 41 — and determined that they were among the Rhode Island suspects. The brothers are from Providence. The Budlongs were arrested on violations of 18 USC 1029 (credit card fraud) and the Budget van was seized, pending the issuance of search warrants. The two men are currently being held without bond pending grand jury hearings in November. An ongoing investigation, including execution of search warrants on
several vehicles and a residence in Virginia and Rhode Island, has
resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of evidence linking the
pair to the Shenandoah crimes and possibly to other vehicle break-ins
throughout the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, including NPS
areas, state parks and resorts. The total amount of the proceeds
identified in this series of crime exceeds $20,000 and continues to
grow.
Yesterday morning, police investigated a shooting in Dooms, Virginia, a small community in Augusta County near the park. Two residents were found dead. Police identified a 48-year old relative of the victims as the suspect. His vehicle was later found abandoned along a road close to the park boundary. Police believe him to be on foot, dressed in camouflage, and armed with a high-powered rifle. The search area straddles the park boundary and includes both a mountainous section of the South District within the park and a largely wooded area of the county with residences outside the boundary. The suspect reportedly is familiar with this area from fishing and hunting. County roads near this section of the park have been closed. This section of the park is fairly remote, with no developed areas and few backcountry trails. However, since the Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail are not very far away, both have been closed from Loft Mountain to Rockfish Gap (roughly the southern quarter of the park). The incident is being handled by the Augusta County Sheriff's Department, the Virginia State Police, and the NPS. Rangers from the Blue Ridge Parkway are assisting. Special agents assigned to the park are involved as well. The park is an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction. The park is operating under ICS. [Submitted by Clayton Jordan, Acting Northeast Regional Chief Ranger]
Just before noon on Labor Day, the park received a cell phone report that a 47-year-old man who was hiking on Old Rag Mountain with his 10-year-old son had fallen and sustained a head injury. The park mobilized its technical rescue team and a ground evacuation team. Meanwhile, passing hikers, including some students in training to be physician's assistants, maintained cervical stabilization and kept him warm. Based on his conditions and the remoteness of the site, a decision was made to extract him by helicopter. A crew and helicopter from the Park Police's aviation unit responded. A ground team packaged the injured man and moved him to an extraction site within the mountain's rock scramble zone. He was then picked up by Eagle One via a litter hoist and flown to a trauma center. About two dozen NPS rescuers and a number of hikers participated in the six-hour rescue. Ranger Kim Mayo was the IC. [Clay Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger]
In April, 2004, rangers received complaints from campground hosts and visitors about a couple camping in the Big Meadows Campground. Two rangers were on foot patrol in the campground when they heard a loud and disruptive argument with very obscene language between a man and woman coming from the site in question. The man left the tent, then entered and started a vehicle. The rangers stopped him before he could leave and subsequently arrested the 34 year-old for DUI, disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended license, and refusal to submit to a breath test. His driving record revealed eight DUI convictions from three states between 1992 and 2004. Following his initial appearance in June, 2004, the man was arrested for a probation violation in Maryland and remained in custody until April, 2005. He was then indicted for felony DUI. In January, 2006, following a plea agreement, he was sentenced to serve 18 months in jail and pay a $1,000 fine for felony DUI and refusal to submit to a breath test. [Lora Peppers, Central District Ranger]
On the evening of Saturday, April 29th, a park employee reported that her 65-year-old husband was overdue from his hike on the Jeremy's Run Trail in the park's North District. Concerns for his welfare were amplified by the rough terrain in the area and by the fact that he was known to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Over the course of that night, more than 20 searchers from the park conducted hasty searches and set in place containment blockades while overhead team members prepared for a larger search on Sunday. By mid-day on April 30th, more than 100 people from all park divisions were involved in the search. Several clues led searchers to the summit of Knob Mountain, where the man was found off trail at 5:15 p.m. He was able to walk part of the way out, then was placed on a litter and carried the remaining distance over the next two hours. Although he spent the next two days in the hospital being treated for renal failure and dehydration, as of this date he has made a complete recovery. [Dixon Freeland, North District Ranger]
The Albermarle County Sheriff's Office contacted the park at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, and reported that they'd begun an investigation into and search for an elderly couple whose vehicle had been found abandoned in a remote, mountainous, wooded area about a half mile outside the park's boundary. The 83-year-old husband had a history of dementia, and his 84-year-old wife suffered from Alzheimer's. They had evidently left their home in Philadelphia the previous morning without notifying anyone that they were traveling. They had no ties to the Virginia area. The effort to find them became urgent when very heavy rains began falling on the region. Part of that search area was in the park, so the park provided assistance in the form of both overhead personnel and ground searchers. The man was found around 11 a.m. about a quarter mile outside the park and an equal distance from his vehicle. He was unable to walk, but was still conscious. He was taken to the University of Virginia Hospital by ambulance. His wife was not found until 6:30 p.m. that evening and by that time was suffering from hypothermia. She was carried out via a semi-technical evacuation to a landing zone, then flown to the same hospital by air ambulance. Park staff assisted with both extrications. Investigators found that the couple had left home on what was intended to be a short shopping trip to a local Philadelphia department store. They did not realize that they'd overshot their destination by several hundred miles. [Clay Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger]
A ranger checked out a Lexus parked by a fire gate along Route 211 on the evening of June 21st. He found keys in the ignition, which caused him to investigate further. While he awaited the arrival of a second ranger, park dispatch was able to reach a party by telephone at the address of the registered owner. A woman there reported that the vehicle was driven by her adult son, who was struggling with depression. Shortly thereafter, the two rangers discovered a person, later identified as the son, lying along the fire road with a bullet wound in his head. He was breathing but unresponsive. The rangers began basic life support and he was subsequently transported to the University of Virginia Hospital by ambulance and helicopter. He died there the following evening. The actions of the rangers and the hospital care that followed, however, enabled his organs to be saved and donated to others, which brought comfort to his family. Evidence indicates that the gunshot was self-inflicted. He was about 35 years old and from northern Virginia. [Clay Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger]
A 60-year-old man from Florida was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on Skyline Drive on the afternoon of June 28th when he lost control of the bike on a curve and ended up in a ditch. He was found by his brother, who was riding another motorcycle ahead of him. Rangers responded along with fire and EMS units from Grottoes. First on scene was a ranger who began administering basic life support and called for Pegasus air ambulance from the University of Virginia Hospital. The man had sustained injuries to his head and chest; although conscious, he complained of difficulty breathing. The rescue squad arrived shortly thereafter and began providing advanced life support. The man was taken by ambulance to a landing zone. About the time the helicopter landed, he went into cardiac arrest. The ranger, rescue squad personnel and the flight nurses worked on him for more than half an hour, but without success. He was declared dead at the landing zone. A preliminary investigation revealed no obvious evidence of reckless driving, nor any unusual environmental conditions. Ranger Joe Sargeant is the case agent. [Clay Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On the evening of September 9th, the park received a report that a 28-year-old man had sustained a leg and/or ankle fracture while hiking in the "rock scramble" zone near the summit of Old Rag Mountain. Consideration was given to using a USPP helicopter to extract the victim, but impending darkness and forecast fog ruled that option out. A ground evacuation was accordingly set into motion. Due the man's location deep within the rock scramble, the extraction was one of the most labor intensive to occur at Shenandoah over at least the past several decades. The park's high-angle rescue team effected a series of technical and semi-technical maneuvers during the 15-hour operation. A flight paramedic from the University of Virginia Hospital hiked in with the team and provided advanced life support care. The entire operation involved 29 park rescuers and support personnel and about 16 responders from the Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Madison County Rescue Squad, and Madison County Fire Department. The man underwent surgery at the hospital and is expected to make a good recovery. [Clay Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger/Incident Commander]
On the afternoon of October 20th, the park received a 911 call from a father who had just read a series of email messages that had been addressed to his high school aged daughter from a classmate of hers. Among a number of dark thoughts expressed in those messages, including Satanic and other anti-social remarks, the 16-year-old boy made several references to killing a specific teacher from their school, and suggested that he would do this while on a school field trip to the park - specifically when the group reached the summit of Old Rag Mountain. The father also interpreted one message as containing a death threat directed towards his daughter. The field trip, involving more than 60 students and teachers, was well underway at that time. Based on the time of day when the call was received, rangers estimated that the group was likely to be in the vicinity of the remote summit of Old Rag. The park's incident command staff took several immediate actions - a team of rangers was dispatched to close area trails and intercept the group, a Park Police helicopter and several USPP SWAT members were placed on alert, and the special agents duty stationed at the park reviewed the emails and began conducting a series of telephone interviews in an effort to determine the seriousness of the threats. About 50 minutes into the incident, rangers were able to make contact by cell phone with the field trip leader. She reported that the members of the group were just leaving the summit and that the young man in question had not shown any unusual behavior. She was instructed to break the party up into smaller hiking groups, separating the boy from the target of his threats, until rangers could arrive on scene. At about 4 p.m., rangers intercepted the group on Saddle Trail and took the boy into custody without incident. He had no weapons with him. Agents and rangers conducted a series of interviews and determined that the boy posed little actual threat to anybody. He was released to the custody of his parents that evening. No federal charges were field and the appropriate local law enforcement agency was notified for follow-up. [Clayton Jordan, Deputy Chief Ranger]
A strong nor'easter moving up the Atlantic coastline last week caused damage, closures and evacuations at several areas: Shenandoah NP - Due to high winds and rains on the night of Thursday, November 23rd, Skyline Drive and all visitor and park facilities along the drive were closed to the public and all but essential personnel. Road crews worked throughout Thursday and Friday to clear trees, debris and boulders from the road. Visitor centers and concession facilities were closed due to both power outages and inaccessibility. A path was opened along the road to Big Meadows so that visitors and concession employees there could be evacuated and escorted out of the park. At the time of the report (Friday morning), similar efforts were underway to reach Skyland Lodge and evacuate employees and visitors at that location. [Jon Pierce, RLES, SERO; Barry Munyan, Chief Ranger, CALO; Karen Gochenour, SHEN]
Parts of Skyline Drive have been closed due to extensive damage caused by an ice storm that struck the park last week. The storm, which began on Thursday, November 22nd, caused power outages and downed thousands of trees and tree limbs. Crews worked throughout Thanksgiving Day and on Friday to open Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap south to the Big Meadows area and from Front Royal to the Dickey Ridge area. All other areas of Skyline Drive remain closed. Park staff began assessing trails and structures yesterday and continued clearing debris from the drive. Park visitor centers, lodges, restaurants and gift shops closed for the winter on November 26th. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park. [Submitted by Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
Portions of Skyline Drive remain closed weeks after a Thanksgiving eve ice storm knocked down trees, treetops and limbs along the scenic drive. From Big Meadows to Swift Run Gap, crews have been working to clear the downed debris felled the night of November 22nd. Next, the chainsaws will move south to the area toward Rockfish Gap. Some parts of the scenic drive just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway were hit harder than others, particularly at the top of the mountain near U.S. 33. Although teams have been working nonstop since the storm, there's no estimate as to when the roadway will reopen. Fifty-two miles of the drive are currently open. In addition to a contracted team, the park's maintenance, trails and fire crews are all pitching in, including seasonal employees normally let go for the winter. Some staffers worked 13 hours on Thanksgiving in the wake of the ice storm. The Appalachian Trail and other trails were also devastated. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which starts just south of Skyline Drive on Afton Mountain and continues into North Carolina, was not hit as hard, and is open to traffic. [Liesel Nowak, Charlottesville Daily Progress]
On January 2nd, the Fauquier County Sheriff's Department contacted the park and asked that a search be begun for a missing man. L.L., 35, had last been seen on the evening of Monday, January 1st. The vehicle he was reportedly operating had been checked by rangers earlier that morning in the Panorama parking area, and surveillance tapes showed that he entered the park around 10 p.m. on Monday evening. An initial search was conducted around the spot where his car was found with the assistance of a Park Police helicopter. A significant number of park employees and volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, were involved in the operation. On January 5th, L.L.'s sister, who lives in Madison, West Virginia, called the park and reported that L.L. had just arrived at her house. The search was terminated following a telephone interview. L.L. said that he'd left the vehicle and traveled at night. He walked about 30 miles to US 33, then left the park, walked to Lexington, and caught a ride to his sister's house. Chief ranger Gordon Wissinger was incident commander. Participating in the search along with NPS employees were personnel from the Virginia State Police, Albemarle County Sheriff's Department, Appalachian Search and Rescue, Top of Virginia Search and Rescue, and Rockingham/Augusta Search and Rescue. [Ed Clark, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On Wednesday, February 7th, President and Mrs. Bush, Secretary Kempthorne, Director Bomar and others visited Shenandoah National Park to announce the National Parks Centennial Initiative and hold roundtable discussions. Superintendent Chas Cartwright remarked that he was pleased to host the event announcing this important initiative. The park was notified of the visit the previous week and immediately established an incident command team to manage the event. Shenandoah chief ranger Gordon Wissinger served as incident commander. Over 50 employees from all divisions of Shenandoah, as well as 30 employees from 10 other parks in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, North Carolina and Tennessee, worked together with multiple federal, state and local agencies to coordinate the visit. The US Park Police provided Eagle II and mounted units to help secure the area. Other cooperating agencies that provided personnel included the US Marshal Service, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Madison, Page and Rappahannock Counties Sheriffs' Offices, and the Luray, Stanley and Rockingham County Volunteer Rescue Squads. ARAMARK, the park's concessionaire, and the Shenandoah National Park Association both contributed to the event. The President and others arrived via Marine One and landed near the middle of the park at Big Meadows around 11:30 a.m. They were escorted to the Byrd Visitor Center where the event was held indoors. Four inches of powdery snow had fallen overnight and temperatures were in the low 20s, with the wind chill reaching -18. Significant snow removal operations were required to maintain the over 20 miles of road and facilities used for the event. Around 15 White House press pool members were flown in to cover the event and two local media outlets, WVIR television out of Charlottesville and the weekly Page News and Courier paper in Luray, were selected by the White House to attend. The visit lasted two hours and all operations were conducted successfully. [Superintendent's Office]
On the evening of Saturday, June 23rd, the crew of Eagle 2, the US Park Police helicopter, flew to Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah NP at the request of rangers to rescue an injured hiker. The man, who had a suspected leg fracture and a history of blood clots, was about 200 feet below the summit and a ground evacuation would have taken too long. Upon arrival, the crew of Eagle 2 - pilot officer Keaton Wright and rescue technician Simeon Klebaner - prepared to hoist the man aboard. Wright positioned the helicopter as Klebaner prepared the Billy Pugh net, which was lowered to rangers on the ground. The man was hoisted to the helicopter, then, following a brief landing to reposition him, flown to Fairfax Hospital for treatment. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Information Officer]
Rangers are engaged in an extended search for C.B., a 40-year-old Fredericksburg area man who has been missing since October 28th. Operations have centered on the Route 211 corridor through Shenandoah, but it's possible that C.B. may have left the park. The search began after 6 p.m. on Sunday, when the park received a report from C.B.'s fiancé saying that he was despondent and had walked off into the woods near the Panorama area. C.B. is described as a Caucasian male, with short sandy-brown hair, 5' 11" tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a yellow T-shirt. Over 35 employees and volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, are currently involved in the search. National Park Service personnel are being assisted by Dogs East Search and Rescue, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue Dogs, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs Association (VSRDA), and the Page County Sheriff's Department. Anyone with any information about C.B. is asked to call 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation, call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
Rangers yesterday continued the search for C.D.B., a 40-year-old Fredericksburg area man who has been missing since Sunday, October 28th. Operations have centered on the Route 211 corridor in the park, but it's possible that he may have left the area. The search began Sunday evening when the park received a report from C.D.B.'s fiancé saying that he was despondent and had walked off into the woods near Panorama. Christopher C.D.B. is described as a Caucasian male, with short sandy-brown hair, 5' 11" tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a yellow T-shirt. Over 40 employees and volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, are currently involved in the search. National Park Service personnel from both Shenandoah and Blue Ridge are being assisted by Dogs East Search and Rescue, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue Dogs, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs Association (VSRDA), Public Safety Dogs Inc., Appalachian Search and Rescue, Piedmont Search and Rescue, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, and the Page County Sheriff's Department. Gordon Wissinger is IC. Anyone with any information about C.D.B. is asked to call 1-800-732-0911. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for C.B., 40, came to a successful conclusion around 11 a.m. on Friday, November 2nd, when he was found inside a culvert under Route 211 about a mile west of Skyline Drive. He was responsive and able to talk to rescuers and was taken to Winchester Medical Center, where he is in stable condition. The search for C.B. began on Sunday evening, when the park received a report from his fiancé saying that he was despondent and had walked off into the woods near Panorama. Approximately 100 employees and volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, were involved in the five-day-long search. National Park Service staff from Shenandoah, Blue Ridge and Fredericksburg were assisted by personnel from Appalachian Search and Rescue, Piedmont Search and Rescue, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, the Page and Spotsylvania County Sheriffs' Departments, Virginia State Police, Dogs East Search and Rescue, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue Dogs, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs Association (VSRDA), Public Safety Dogs Inc., and Mid-Atlantic Dogs. Shenandoah National Park wishes to thank these cooperating search teams for their response and continued efforts. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
Parts of Skyline Drive have been closed due to extensive damage caused by an ice storm that struck the park last week. The storm, which began on Thursday, November 22nd, caused power outages and downed thousands of trees and tree limbs. Crews worked throughout Thanksgiving Day and on Friday to open Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap south to the Big Meadows area and from Front Royal to the Dickey Ridge area. All other areas of Skyline Drive remain closed. Park staff began assessing trails and structures yesterday and continued clearing debris from the drive. Park visitor centers, lodges, restaurants and gift shops closed for the winter on November 26th. Park visitors are encouraged to call 540-999-3500 for additional information and updates regarding the status of the park. [Submitted by Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
A search is currently underway in the park for J.A.M., Jr., 42, of Manassas, Virginia, who has not been seen since March 26th. J.A.M. left his home that day; his family reported him missing on March 27th. Indications are that he is despondent. J.A.M.'s vehicle was found in the park on the morning of Saturday, March 29th, and search operations began later that morning. They were still underway as of yesterday. J.A.M. has black hair and brown eyes, stands 5' 4" tall, and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He's believed to be wearing a dark blue ball cap with the words "Ocean City" on it. Over 50 employees and trained volunteers, including ground searchers and dog teams, are currently involved in the search. Park personnel are being assisted by Appalachian Search and Rescue, Virginia Search and Rescue Dogs Association (VSRDA), Dogs East Search and Rescue, Top of Virginia Search and Rescue, Search and Rescue Tracking Institution, Virginia State Police, Blue and Grey Search and Rescue Dogs, Manassas Police Department, and the United States Park Police. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Information Officer]
The search for J.A.M., Jr. of Manassas, Virginia, who has been missing since late March, enters its eleventh day today. In order to facilitate the search, the park has closed the Keyser Run and Little Devils Stairs areas, including the following trails - Keyser Run Fire Road, Little Devils Stairs, Piney Branch, Piney Ridge, Pole Bridge Link, Sugar Loaf, and Hull School (from Thornton River to Keyser Run). The rain and fog that prevailed over the weekend did not hamper the search effort, which currently involves more than 50 employees and trained volunteers. Gordon Wissinger is the IC. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Information Officer]
The search for J.A.M., Jr. ended yesterday when his body was located in the Keyser Run area of the park. J.A.M. had been missing since March 26th. All trails in the area have now been reopened. Over 200 employees and volunteers were involved in the eleven-day search, including personnel from Blue Ridge Parkway, New River Gorge NR, Richmond NBP, Fredricksburg & Spotsylvania NMP, Colonial NHP, Petersburg NB, Assateaque Island NS, Catoctin Mountain Park, Harper's Ferry NHP, and Kings Mountain NMP. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
While investigating an assault case that occurred on the parkway on July 22nd, ranger Jeremy Sears discovered a stolen vehicle at the Humpback Rocks trailhead. Investigation into the stolen vehicle yielded a description of a suspect and indications that he might be hiking on the Appalachian Trail (AT). When the description of the suspect was broadcast, it matched that of an AT hiker who Shenandoah rangers had recently contacted. An extensive search of the Appalachian Trail was undertaken by Shenandoah rangers, while others checked Skyline Drive. Rangers Chad Coles and Patrick Seeley contacted a man who matched the description on the driver and found that he had items with him that connected him to the stolen vehicle. The man, identified as J.D.C., was then interviewed by Shenandoah rangers and special agent Tim Alley. He admitted to stealing the car in Virginia Beach and was arrested on outstanding warrants and held for Virginia Beach PD. Effective investigation and close cooperation between Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah rangers made this apprehension possible. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
On Monday, July 28th, a Virginia man advised the regional office in Philadelphia that his father-in-law was missing, that he was suicidal, and that he might be headed for Shenandoah National Park. He asked if the rangers could be advised to keep an eye out for his father-in-law's vehicle. The park's dispatch center was notified and broadcast a BOLO ('be on the lookout' message) parkwide. On Tuesday, ranger Jeff Martinelli and field training ranger Carmen Barnard came upon the vehicle in the vicinity of Big Meadows and stopped it. They found the man inside with a loaded Ruger .357 magnum. The rangers made the scene safe, then got the man to a hospital, where he's now receiving psychological attention. Also assisting in the incident were rangers Patrick Seeley and Lora Peppers and dispatchers Johnney Whetzel and Lisa Bates. [Stephen M. Clark, Branch Chief, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management and Emergency Services, Northeast Regional Office]
Rangers are entering the fourth day of a search for a missing 50-year-old Staunton area man. E.F. was last seen around 1 p.m. on Monday, September 29th, in the Cedar Mountain area. A hasty search of the area was conducted by volunteers and friends on Monday night and Tuesday morning. Friends then reported E.F. missing to the Albemarle County Police Department on Tuesday morning, and county officers searched the area until late Tuesday night. Yesterday's search centered on the Cedar Mountain area of the park. E.F. is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes, 5' 8" tall, weighing about 145 pounds, and wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Over 40 searchers - including a dog team - are currently looking for him. The search is a joint operation between Shenandoah National Park and the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office. The agencies are currently being assisted by the Albemarle County Police Department and a Virginia State Police dog team. Anyone with any information about Earl E.F. is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation please call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for E.F., 50, of Staunton, Virginia, enters its fifth day on Friday. So far, no clues have been found regarding his possible whereabouts. E.F. is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes, 5' 8" tall, who weighs approximately 145 pounds and was last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Over 70 employees and trained volunteers, including ground searchers and two dogs team, are currently involved in the search. The search is a joint operation between Shenandoah National Park and the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office. These agencies are currently being assisted by the Albemarle County Police Department, a Virginia State Police dog team, Dogs East, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs, Greene County Sheriff's Office and Appalachian Search and Rescue. Anyone with any information about Earl E.F. is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation, call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for E.F. continues and is now entering its eighth day. E.F. was last seen around 1 p.m. on September 29th in the Cedar Mountain area. Yesterday, search teams concentrated their efforts within the park, working in areas of thick brush or woodland and steep cliffs. E.F. is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes. He is 5' 8" tall, weights about 145 pounds, and was last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Approximately 46 employees and trained volunteers, including ground searchers and one dog team, are currently involved in the search, which is a joint operation between Shenandoah National Park and the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office. These agencies are currently being assisted by the Albemarle County Police Department, a Virginia State Police dog team, Dogs East, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs, K-9 Alert, the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Appalachian Search and Rescue, Rockingham Augusta Search and Rescue, DELMARVA Search and Rescue, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and Green Mountain National Forest. National Park Service employees from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Harpers Ferry, Independence, Blue Ridge, Cape Cod, Hopewell Furnace, Acadia, and Gateway have joined the search. Anyone with any information about E.F. is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation please call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
The search for E.F. continued yesterday in the Cedar Mountain area after articles which belong to E.F. were found. Items found on Tuesday included a hat, keys, a pack of cigarettes, a tent stake (used for digging), and a boot. A machete was found on Wednesday. Thursday marked the tenth day of the search. Fifty-five employees and trained volunteers are currently involved in the operation, which is concentrating outside the park on private land. E.F. was last seen on Monday, September 29th. He is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes, 5' 8" tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, and last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Anyone with any information about Earl E.F. is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation please call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
The body of E.F. was found on Saturday in the Browns Cove area of Albemarle County, bringing to an end the twelve-day search for him within the park and surrounding area. The cause of death is under investigation, with Albemarle County PD leading the effort. E.F., 49, had been missing since September 29th. The search was a joint operation by the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Shenandoah National Park. Over 150 employees and trained volunteers, including dog teams, ground searchers and support personnel, were involved during the lengthy search. National Park Service personnel were assisted by Albemarle County Police Department, Virginia State Police, Dogs East, Blue and Gray Search and Rescue Dogs, K-9 Alert, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Appalachian Search and Rescue, Rockingham Augusta Search and Rescue, and DELMARVA Search and Rescue. The Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Shenandoah National Park wish to thank these cooperating organizations for their response and continued efforts. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Specialist]
A ranger noted suspicious activity involving a 1999 Ford minivan and its two occupants on Skyline Drive just before 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th. The ranger followed, calling in the license plate. The van came back as being associated with an attempted homicide at Fort Eustis, a military installation in eastern Virginia; an advisory said that its occupants should be considered armed and dangerous. The ranger called for backup and continued to follow the van. A second ranger, Virginia State Police troopers and Page County deputies responded. The rangers attempted to stop the van, but the driver, C.L., 25, refused to stop and a 14-mile-long pursuit ensued. Additional troopers and Warren County deputies positioned themselves at the north end of the drive to keep the van from entering the city of Front Royal, and another ranger placed a spike strip at the entrance station to deflate the van's tires. The van's tires blew out when it hit the strip, but it continued on until it struck a non-police vehicle. As officers approached the stopped van, they saw that C.L. had a firearm. Shots were fired and C.L. was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger inside the minivan sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the shooting. Investigators are continuing with evidence collection and analysis and are awaiting lab results on toxicology and ballistics tests. The trooper and rangers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave with pay on Sunday pending the outcome of internal agency investigations into the matter, which is in accordance with standard Virginia State Police and National Park Service policies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service and Virginia State Police are conducting the joint investigation. Also assisting with the case is the United States Attorney's Office of the Western District and officials from Fort Eustis, an Army facility in eastern Virginia. [Corinne Geller, Virginia State Police; Barb Stewart, Public Information Officer, Shenandoah NP]
Additional details on the fatal shooting that occurred in the park on March 8th have been made public in court documents. Excerpts from an article in Sunday's Richmond Times-Dispatch follow; a link to the full story appears at bottom: "The Army soldier killed in a standoff with police in Shenandoah National Park on Sunday was acting so bizarrely that day that he painted his face and dressed to look like The Joker, Batman's nemesis. Spc. C.N.L., who attacked a fellow soldier at Fort Eustis with a knife and stun gun while wearing the costume, 'idolized' The Joker, according to records filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. C.N.L. 'said everything The Joker did he did for a reason, like killing people, and that he agreed with the philosophy of doing things for a reason,' the records said. C.N.L. also left a note saying he was 'preparing for war,' according to the records. C.N.L., 25, was shot dead by police in a minivan on Skyline Drive after refusing to drop a shotgun he was holding, with his finger on the trigger, according to the records. The details emerged from an affidavit filed to obtain a warrant to arrest Patsy Ann Marie Montowski of Chesapeake, C.N.L.'s girlfriend. She was arrested Wednesday and charged with being an accessory after the fact in C.N.L.'s attack on his roommate, Spc. Mitchell Stone. Montowski, who was a passenger in C.N.L.'s car when he was killed, suffered a minor wound in the confrontation with police. Montowski told federal agents that the incident started when a fight broke out between the two men early Sunday morning at their Fort Eustis apartment, whose walls were decorated with Joker masks and paintings. She said at one point she used a stun gun on Stone and tried to push Stone off C.N.L.. Stone told authorities that C.N.L., for no apparent reason, shocked him three times with the gun. He said Montowski also shocked him at least four times as he fought with C.N.L.. At one point, Stone said C.N.L. came from behind him and cut at his throat twice, according to the affidavit. Stone was treated and released at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after the attack. C.N.L. and Montowski took off in her car after the attack and ended up on Skyline Drive, where a park ranger noticed the couple 'because they were both wearing head coverings which covered their hair and one of them stared at the [park ranger] with big eyes, appearing startled,' according to the affidavit." The chase and confrontation ensued. According to Pete Webster, the park's acting chief ranger, the two rangers involved in the shooting incident returned to full duty status on March 19th. The rangers and park staff greatly appreciate all of the support and assistance they have received from throughout the system. HYPERLINK "http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/EUST131_20090312-234006/230582/"
On April 22nd, park dispatch received a call from a concerned mother who said that she believed her daughter was going to take her life and that she could be in the park. Ranger Jim Barnes searched for and found her vehicle parked along Skyline Drive. The 37-year-old woman was semi-conscious when Barnes attempted to communicate with her through locked doors. Because of her condition, she was unable to unlock the doors on her own. After seeing what appeared to be suicide notes on the dashboard and recognizing the woman's depressed level of consciousness, Barnes broke out the passenger side window with his ASP baton. After removing the woman from her car, Barnes provided emergency care, maintained her airway and itemized a list of medications found in the vehicle so that appropriate medical treatment could be given. The list included antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, pain killers and sleeping pills. She was taken to Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Virginia, where she was admitted into the ICU. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
During the early morning hours of July 13th, park dispatch received a report of a suicidal woman who was possibly in the park. The report from the Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department advised that she was missing and possibly suicidal, and that a cell phone belonging to her had pinged off a tower near the park. Ranger Jim Barnes responded from his residence and located the woman in her vehicle at the Shenandoah Valley overlook. When he contacted her, she repeatedly asked him to leave her there and let her die. In the vehicle was a suicide note along with a bottle of sleeping pills, a bottle of ibuprofen, and a bottle of Nyquil, all of which were empty. A receipt in the vehicle showed that the medication had been purchased earlier that evening. A local ambulance from the town of Front Royal responded and transported the woman to Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, where she was admitted, then later transferred to Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. The woman is doing well and is scheduled to be released from the hospital today. This is the second time in the past three months that Barnes has successfully intervened in a suicide attempt at this overlook. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
During the early morning hours of July 13th, park dispatch received a report of a suicidal woman who was possibly in the park. The report from the Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department advised that she was missing and possibly suicidal, and that a cell phone belonging to her had pinged off a tower near the park. Ranger Jim Barnes responded from his residence and located the woman in her vehicle at the Shenandoah Valley overlook. When he contacted her, she repeatedly asked him to leave her there and let her die. In the vehicle was a suicide note along with a bottle of sleeping pills, a bottle of ibuprofen, and a bottle of Nyquil, all of which were empty. A receipt in the vehicle showed that the medication had been purchased earlier that evening. A local ambulance from the town of Front Royal responded and transported the woman to Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, where she was admitted, then later transferred to Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. The woman is doing well and is scheduled to be released from the hospital today. This is the second time in the past three months that Barnes has successfully intervened in a suicide attempt at this overlook. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On Saturday, August 18th, park dispatch received a report that a 44-year-old woman was intending to commit suicide by jumping off Franklin Cliffs. Ranger Stacy Scully located her within a few minutes. She was sitting at the cliffs with her feet dangling over the cliff ledge. The woman is hearing impaired and had removed her hearing aids, which made communications difficult. Although able to read lips, she would not look at Scully. Scully waited until ranger Ken Mehne arrived to remove her from the edge and take her into protective custody. A suicide note was found in her vehicle. [Lora Peppers, District Ranger]
On October 29th, rangers responded to a report of a domestic assault at one of the Lewis Mountain cabins and found a woman who had been battered. She was transported to the hospital by a local rescue squad. She reported that her assailant might be suicidal and had knives in his possession. He was still in the cabin and refused to acknowledge or obey commands to exit the building. Numerous attempts were made to talk him into coming out over an extended period of time, and he finally complied around first light and was taken into custody without incident. The man was later found guilty of assault and disorderly conduct. [Lora Peppers, Central District Ranger]
Over the past two months, park staff have been involved in three winter-related search and rescue operations: On December 18th, the park was forecast to receive substantial snow. In preparation for the storm, the park's interior was evacuated and roads were closed. On the following morning, the park received a call for assistance from two hikers who had parked at the closed barricades and hiked seven miles into a backcountry cabin after the storm had begun. The hikers explained that they thought they were prepared for snow but that they had found they weren't ready for the nearly four feet of snow that was on the ground. Rescue efforts involved bringing in the park plows to access the party and extract them. The plows encountered drifts up to seven feet high along Skyline Drive and took several hours to reach the stranded hikers. The hikers were cold and exhausted when the rescue personnel reached them later that evening. On January 15th, a man and woman were eating lunch below an ice covered cliff about ten feet off the Whiteoak Trail when a large chunk of ice broke free and fell about 25 feet, hitting the woman on the back. She sustained multiple bone fractures and other injuries, including a punctured lung. The roads and grounds crew plowed open a snow and ice covered fire road to expedite the evacuation, averting a lengthy carryout over icy terrain. The woman was then flown to the University of Virginia Trauma Center and was reported in stable condition the following day. On the evening of January 28th, the park received a report of an overdue day hiker on Old Rag Mountain. The man was reported to have significant medical issues and was not prepared for the extreme cold weather conditions that existed at the time. In addition, a winter storm was forecast for the following afternoon. Hasty searchers that night were unable to locate the man. Containment was set up overnight, with full search efforts beginning the following morning, including the utilization of USPP's Eagle 1 helicopter for aerial search and hoist operations. Eagle 1 inserted a searcher on the summit using the hoist while four other ground teams searched the trail corridors leading to the summit. After several hours, the man was located near the summit by the searcher who was inserted. He was extracted by Eagle 1 in a Billy Pugh basket, transported to waiting a ground ambulance, then taken to the local hospital. A total of 14 NPS and 26 volunteer searchers ultimately were assigned to the search. Eagle 1 was piloted by Jeff Hertel and crewed by rescue technician/paramedic Timothy Ryan. The success of all three of these rescues was dependent on the continuously displayed teamwork and effectiveness of all of the park's divisions and on outside resources coming together with them and accomplishing difficult tasks. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
While sweeping the Skyline Drive as part of a seasonal nightly road closure, ranger Bill Cardwell checked on a truck parked in one of the overlooks and found a man slumped over inside the cab with a hose through the window. Cardwell was able to awaken the man, who proved to be intoxicated. He ultimately admitted to trying to commit suicide, but said that he was unsuccessful because the hose kept coming out of the tailpipe. The man then said that he had decided to sleep awhile, then head to another overlook and drive his vehicle over the edge. Cardwell took the man into protective custody and he was admitted into a local hospital. This is the seventh successful suicide intervention in Shenandoah in the last two years. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
During the busy fall colors season at Shenandoah, the park conducted four major rescues among other smaller rescues and the many other activities: A 66-year-old man fell from the summit of Little Stony Man, sustaining head injuries. The Park Police assisted in the operation, using their hoist helicopter for the rescue and transporting the man to the hospital. A 24-year-old woman broke her ankle on Old Rag Mountain. Winds were too erratic to utilize the USPP hoist, so a technical ground rescue was undertaken. Fortunately, the winds stabilized and USPP was able to extricate the woman just before sunset, eliminating the need for a lengthy and hazardous night rescue. A 46-year-old woman broke her ankle on the Cedar Run trail, requiring a lengthy night rescue operation. A 40-year-old woman sustained a knee injury on Old Rag Mountain. Winds did not permit the USPP helicopter to assist in the operation, so a lengthy, 12-hour technical rescue and carryout was conducted utilizing 30 responders. All major rescue operations in Shenandoah are conducted utilizing personnel from all divisions as well as several cooperating organizations. The USPP aviation program has been a great asset for the park's rescue operations by reducing the need for hazardous technical ground evacuations as well as improving patient care through much more timely transportation to hospital care. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
A park neighbor recently reported that a vehicle had been parked at the boundary trailhead for Keyser Run for about two weeks. Although a cursory investigation of the vehicle revealed nothing unusual, contact with the registered owner's family members revealed his struggles with unemployment and bouts of depression. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a suicide note. Hasty searches were conducted, but no sign of him was found. Search efforts expanded the next day, and one team was sent to a prominent knoll that was listed on a backcountry permit that the 48-year-old man had obtained in 2001. His body was found at this location, an apparent victim of suicide by helium asphyxiation. This was the fourth suicide in the Keyser Run area in the last decade. [Dixon Freeland, North District Ranger]
Late last week, a 53-year-old Luray man was found dead on the Mary's Rock Trail, part of the Appalachian Trail, about a half mile from the Panorama parking area. The body was found by a couple hiking the trail. The couple had met the man on their way up the trail and described having a pleasant conversation with him before they continued their hike. Upon their return, they found the man lying along the trail, a victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Investigators concluded that his death was a suicide. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Earlier this spring, D.M., a forest health bio-technician for the park, reported seeing two couples collecting plants off the Jones Mountain Trail. D.M. provided excellent information, which allowed rangers to contact A.K., 73, W.M., 73, J.K., 69, and Y.N., 65, at the trailhead and confiscate four sacks containing a total of 35 pounds of plant material (interrupted fern, large leaved aster, and blue cohosh). All four were cited for violation of preservation of natural resources/gathering plants. On June 7th, all four pleaded guilty and received a one year ban from all parks and forests in the Western District of Virginia. Each was also ordered to pay $235 in restitution. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Rangers successfully intervened in two suicide attempts this spring and investigated a third in which a woman succeeded in her efforts by driving her car off Skyline Drive and crashing several hundred feet below: On April 29th, a police dispatcher in Harrisonburg received a call from a man who said that he was camping on Turk Mountain and was going to shoot himself. Park dispatch was contacted and rangers helped the Harrisonburg dispatcher talk the man into leaving his weapon at his campsite and hiking to Skyline Drive to meet them. They took the man into protective custody at the trailhead and transported him to the Augusta Medical Center. They then recovered his weapon and all the items from his campsite. The man had been hiking the Appalachian Trail in the park for a week when he made the call. On May 17th, park dispatch was contacted by the sheriff's office in Jefferson County, West Virginia, and advised that a man had called his wife and told her that he'd taken enough medication to be dead within 15 minutes. Rangers determined that the 53-year-old man had registered at Skyland Lodge. When they reached his room, several hours after he'd called his wife, they found him unconscious in his room and suffering from severe respiratory distress. Basic and advanced life support measures employed by rangers and Page County rescue personnel greatly aided in keeping him alive. On June 2nd, a park maintenance crew working at Horsehead Overlook on Skyline Drive noticed that vegetation was laid down at the edge of the overlook and discovered a vehicle 300 to 400 feet below. Rangers found that the sole occupant had not survived the crash and that she had been listed as missing and suicidal by police in Farmville the day before. A suicide note was found inside along with notes indicating that she'd scouted other Shenandoah overlooks that night. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Over the past several weeks, search and rescue responders at Shenandoah National Park have conducted nine search and rescue operations, five of them becoming major SAR incidents: A 24-year-old man was climbing grape vines along the Hazel River Trail and only recognized the folly of this activity when he was about 50 feet above the ground. The grape vines broke before he could get down, causing him to fall about 35 feet. The man fractured both ankles, with one of them being an open fracture. In addition to being in one of the more remote areas of the park, the four-and-a-half mile carryout was conducted in a heavy rainstorm and required four swiftwater crossings as a result of swollen creeks. A 57-year-old man was rock climbing with two companions near the summit of Old Rag Mountain. Through a possible miscommunication, the lead climber took the second climber off belay. When the second climber pulled on the unsecured belay line, expecting it to hold, it gave way and he fell 50 feet to a lower ledge and sustained several serious injuries. While the park's ground team was mobilizing, initial rescuers stabilized the man and assisted the US Park Police air rescue helicopter in a litter hoist evacuation. A group of hikers headed out on an off-trail route toward one of the park's summits. Two women from the group took an alternate route and became disoriented. They reported their predicament by cell phone after it got dark and were asked to remain in place overnight, since the weather was favorable. A search began for them in the morning and the two women were located. Both were in good condition. Most search and rescue operations in Shenandoah become major SAR incidents because of the difficulty of the terrain and rugged nature of the trails. SAR operations are only successfully completed because of the cooperation of all divisions and the enthusiasm shown by the numerous employees who volunteer and train for these difficult operations. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On Saturday, August 20th, rangers responded to a motor vehicle accident on Skyline Drive near milepost 42 involving a sedan and a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider, a 21-year-old man, was found unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway. Rangers provided care and transported him via park ambulance to a landing zone to rendezvous with a University of Virginia medevac helicopter. Despite ALS intervention, the man was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. The occupants of the sedan were uninjured. Evidence and witness statements suggest that the man was attempting to illegally pass a fellow rider at a high rate of speed when he collided head-on with the sedan. Ranger Coby Bishop was IC for the incident. [Stu Curtin, Park Ranger]
Last week, a DC area hiking club contacted the park and reported that a member of their group had become separated from the party on the Lower Hawksbill Trail. The missing 53-year-old man had just joined the hiking club for the first time that morning, so the person who called had limited helpful information. Moreover, no one actually saw him with the group once they started on the trail. The parking area they started from serves numerous trails that go off in virtually every direction. With no information to work with, only hasty searches of the extensive trail system could be conducted on the following day. Those hasty searches did provide one lead, a possible witness who reported seeing someone along the Appalachian Trail above Timber Hollow with the one identifying feature of the missing hiker - he hiked with an ice axe, something not normally seen in Shenandoah in August. But the man was described as very disoriented and frustrated. This piece of information led to a more focused search of the area around the possible point last seen, although no clues were discovered during the second full day of searching. The investigation however, led to a better understanding of potential problems this hiker may have been experiencing. He was described as an alcohol user who had a history of seizures that would leave him mobile but disoriented for hours at a time. On the third day of search, teams were sent down into Timber Hollow below the AT, where it seemed likely he may have stumbled or otherwise entered - terrain described as some of the worst in Shenandoah. Almost immediately one team found clues believed to be associated with the missing person, including an empty bottle of vodka. Shortly before noon on the third day, another team found the missing man at the bottom of Timber Hollow, lying in Hawksbill Creek. He was suffering from hypothermia with a body temp of 94 degrees and had a significantly altered mental state. He was littered to the boundary, where he was picked up by an ambulance that took him to a hospital. The man ultimately spent four days in the hospital, being treated for significant chemical imbalances among other things. Once he regained his mental alertness, he was able to provide some details of his experience. He had started with the group on the trail but was the last in line. He then experienced a seizure shortly into the hike. When he came to, he began to search for his party, but was still somewhat disoriented. The weather had deteriorated, with thick fog and heavy rains. He remembered meeting the man who had provided searchers with information on the point where he was last seen. After talking with him, he was hiking the AT when he stumbled off the trail and tumbled down the steep slopes, ending up well below the trail. He was injured from the fall but otherwise still able to move. He did not want to climb back up to the trail, so he walked across the slope, hoping the trail came down to him. He ultimately found the drainage and decided to follow it down. He then spent the first night near the bottom of the hollow, and on the following morning continued to look for a way out but started having difficulty with his legs going out. He ultimately just stopped and sat down. He had no memory of what happened on much of the second day. He spent about another 48 hours in stormy weather until the search team found him. [Pete Webster, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On Sunday, October 9th, rangers responded to a motor vehicle accident on Skyline Drive involving a sedan and a motorcycle. Two motorcycle riders, a 59-year-old man and his 54-year-old wife, were found unresponsive in the roadway. Rangers and Warren County EMS provided care and transported both people via ambulance to a nearby landing zone to rendezvous with a medevac helicopter. Despite ALS intervention, the woman was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. The man was flown to Winchester Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead several hours later. The occupants of the sedan were uninjured. Evidence and witness statements suggest that the sedan was attempting to pull into an overlook when the motorcycle operator rounded a corner too fast, lost control, and slid head-on into the sedan. [Stu Curtin, Park Ranger]
A minivan went off Skyline Drive on September 27, 2010, and ended up several hundred feet below the Jenkins Gap Overlook, where rangers found stuck in heavy vegetation. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as C.D., 50, of Fairfax, Virginia, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Rangers found a suicide note at the accident scene and C.D. later admitted to attempting suicide by purposefully driving off the overlook. C.D. was treated for her injuries and admitted for psychiatric evaluation. On November 29, 2010 C.D. was shopping with her family in Tysons Corner, Virginia, when she picked up her two-year-old granddaughter and threw her off the fifth story of a parking garage, killing the girl. C.D. was arrested and confessed to the crime, which was captured on mall video surveillance. Earlier this month, two rangers testified in the murder trial regarding the earlier suicide attempt in the park. C.D. pled not guilty by reason of insanity. On Thursday, October 6th, she was found guilty of first-degree murder and the jury recommended a sentence of 35 years in prison. Media interest in the case was high. [Stu Curtin, Park Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g294LBh-Dp7wZEGZghBBCRVG6Irw?docId=3bff220812c4454db81fbd0c3d5c1851"
On Tuesday, January 31st, park dispatch received a call from police dispatch in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, regarding a suicidal man who was believed to be on the north end of Skyline Drive. The man reportedly made several cell phone calls to his wife in Pennsylvania stating that he'd just entered the park and planned to take an overdose of pills. Rangers responded and located the 28-year-old man at Signal Knob Overlook, six miles inside the park. He appeared to be under the influence and said that he'd ingested a large quantity of Tylenol PM pills. Warren County EMS transported him to a local hospital, where he spent three days in intensive care. The man had previously attempted suicide by pills and had an involuntary commitment order on file in Pennsylvania. The Warren County Sheriff's Office assisted in the response. [Stu Curtin, Park Ranger]
Ranger Robert Sloop came upon a tan passenger vehicle that matched the description of one being driven by a known suicidal person just inside the park boundary while on patrol this past Tuesday. As he was attempting to contact the driver, the vehicle was quickly driven away. Sloop pursued, following it out of the park and requesting assistance from officers from the adjoining county. A Green County deputy took over as the primary unit. The pursuit continued for another eight miles, where a second Green County deputy and a state trooper employed a moving roadblock maneuver to stop the car. The driver was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. [Leslie Reynolds, Chief Ranger]
A 51-year-old man was climbing the Skyline Wall on Old Rag Mountain earlier this week when he took a three-foot fall and fractured a leg. While the park's ground team was mobilizing, initial rescuers stabilized the patient. Due to the late hour and with concurrence from medical control, the decision was made for EMS/SAR personnel to spend the night on Old Rag with the man. A US Park Police air rescue helicopter conducted a litter hoist evacuation the next day. [Lora Peppers, Incident Commander]
On the afternoon of May 3rd, park dispatch received a report of an injured hiker near the summit of Old Rag Mountain within a three-quarter-mile section of the popular hike known as The Rock Scramble. The initial report indicated that a 42-year-old man had taken a five- to seven-foot fall and had suffered a back injury. EMS and rescue personnel hiked to his location and found him to be stable but in need of litter evacuation due to his injuries. Extrication by ground would have taken from eight to ten hours and would have included multiple technical raisings and lowerings that might have worsened his injuries. The weather forecast called for heavy thunderstorms later in the evening with significant rainfall and lightning. A call was therefore made to the Park Police aviation, and around 6:45 p.m. Eagle 2 headed to the park. The man was hoisted from the mountain and flown to a hospital for treatment. [Sergeant Paul Brooks, PIO, US Park Police, and Lora Peppers, District Ranger]
On July 7th, park PSAR (preventive search and rescue) staff received a report of a 24-year-old hiker in distress on the Saddle Trail portion of the popular Old Rag Mountain circuit. Arriving EMS personnel found that she was unconscious and showing signs of the latter stages of heat stroke and that she needed rapid extrication from the backcountry. Temperatures in the park at the time were in the upper 90's with high humidity, which both exacerbated the woman's illness and hindered rescue efforts. Old Rag is a challenging hike, particularly on a hot day with the rock scramble portion of the hike offering little shade during the midday heat. The evacuation via wheeled litter took over two hours, during which EMS staff provided constant care. The woman was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she's expected to recover fully. [Lora Peppers, District Ranger]
On Thursday, August 2nd, dispatch received a report that a man had fallen about 70 feet near Overall Run Falls, the highest waterfall in the park. Park personnel from all divisions geared up for a technical rescue and carryout of the 41-year-old Ohio man. Ranger Stuart Curtin was first on scene and worked to secure the unconscious man's airway and treat his life threatening injuries, including an obvious open skull fracture. Eagle One, the United States Park Police Helicopter, responded and hoisted the man after he was packaged by park personnel. He was then flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, where he succumbed to his injuries three days later. [Dixon Freeland, North District Ranger, IC]
An SUV towing a camper was struck by a falling tree while traveling south on Skyline Drive on Tuesday evening. The driver attempted to avoid the tree by moving into the northbound lane, but it struck the windshield and the driver was impaled by branches. Rangers and local emergency squads responded. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The 58-year-old man from Tennessee was traveling with his wife, who was not injured in the accident. Investigation determined the tree was a live Virginia pine that had root system failure. [Jennifer Flynn, Deputy Superintendent]
Hurricane Sandy, a HYPERLINK "http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php" Category 1 storm with current maximum sustained winds of about 75 mph, was east of the Outer Banks early this morning and moving to the north at about 15 mph. It is expected to turn to the northwest today, with the center coming ashore along the New Jersey coastline this evening or tonight. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, mainly to the southwest of the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 520 miles. The following hazards are expected: Winds - Gale force winds are being reported from coastal North Carolina to New Jersey and are expected to arrive along other portions of the coastline from Long Island to southern New England later this morning. Winds of hurricane force are expected later today. Surge - A combination of tides and "extremely dangerous" storm surge will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach the following depths above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide - 4 to 6 feet in North Carolina; 2 to 4 feet in southern Virginia and Delmarva, including the lower Chesapeake Bay; 1 to 3 feet in the upper and middle Chesapeake Bay; 6 to 11 feet in Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay and New York Harbor; 4 to 8 feet elsewhere from Ocean City, Maryland, to the Connecticut-Rhode Island border; 3 to 6 feet from there to Cape Cod; 2 to 4 feet from Cape Cod to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border; and 1 to 3 feet from there to Canada. Rain - Rainfall totals of from 4 to 8 inches are expected over portions of the Mid-Atlantic states, including the Delmarva peninsula, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are forecast from New York to New England, with isolated amounts of 5 inches. Snow - Snow accumulations of from 2 to 3 feet are expected in the mountains of West Virginia, from 1 to 2 feet in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, and 12 to 18 inches in the mountains near the North Carolina/Tennessee border and in the mountains of western Maryland. The following park status reports are based on regional phone calls conducted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on email updates. Every park in the hurricane's very broad path has made preparations for downed trees, flooding, power outages and related problems; just about every park and office in the hurricane's broad path is closed today. Rather than list all of them, the summary below focuses on parks and offices that have been or are being impacted by the storm or that have substantial closures or other issues: Shenandoah - In preparation for Hurricane Sandy, the park's north and south districts, including concessions facilities, campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor center, were closed at dusk on Sunday. Skyline Drive gates into both districts have also been closed. The Central District, including all concessions facilities (Skyland Resort, Big Meadows Lodge and Wayside, and Lewis Mountain Cabins), park facilities, and the Skyline Drive, will close today at noon. All visitors and park and concessions employees will be required to leave the mountain by noon. On Sunday, park staff swept trailhead parking lots and the backcountry to warn hikers and backpackers about the approaching storm and park closures. The entire park will remain closed until Hurricane Sandy has moved away from the northern Virginia area. Three NPS Type II incident management teams - East, Intermountain and Midwest - are fully staffed and on standby for use as needed. Two of the teams are currently being staged, the Eastern IMT in Hagerstown, Maryland, and the Midwest IMT in Columbus, Ohio. Other NPS offices and specialized teams are also on standby.
Between Thursday, September 20th, and Saturday, October 6th, protection rangers detected and apprehended six separate groups involved in the illegal digging and taking of ginseng plants from the park. Eleven people were issued multiple mandatory citations and three others were arrested. One of those arrested is a commercial dealer in Virginia. A total of 185 plants were seized. A warrant was served to retrieve information off a GPS unit that the dealer possessed at the time of arrest. ISB is assisting in the investigation. Ranger Stu Curtin is the case officer. [Jennifer Flynn, Deputy Superintendent]
Ranger Stuart Curtin came upon a suspicious vehicle parked at a pullout Skyline Drive on the morning of Saturday, November 3rd. An unresponsive man was found inside the locked vehicle, along with a suicide note and several empty pill bottles. Rangers Curtin and Dave Sanders broke a window to gain entry and provided basic medical care until Warren County EMS arrived on scene. The man was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Winchester Medical Center, where he spent two days in intensive care. Evidence suggested that the man swallowed a large amount of prescription pain medication. [Jennifer Flynn, Deputy Superintendent]
During a two week period in April, 2012, rangers responded to several incidents involving thefts from motor vehicles (car clouts) in the North District. Evidence indicated that the same people were involved in all of the break-ins. Through a ranger's investigative efforts, it was discovered that similar crimes had occurred in other jurisdictions in the Shenandoah area - from Front Royal at the parks' north end to communities in Maryland. Utilizing credit card information from the victims, the ranger worked closely with the neighboring law enforcement agencies to acquire video surveillance of the suspects using the stolen credit cards. Through the ranger's investigation, officers from five different jurisdictions were able to link the suspects to numerous open cases. Four of them had been arrested at the time of this report; two were found guilty on federal charges and are paying restitution to park visitors. [Jennifer Flynn, Acting Superintendent]
On June 3rd, rangers responded to a report that a man had fallen on Old Rag Mountain in the park's Central District. Initial reports were that he'd broken a leg and was unable to move. Ascending Old Rag Mountain requires a three-and-a-half mile hike up Ridge Trail, followed by a mile-long rock scramble to the summit. The rock scramble contains numerous technical areas that create a more challenging experience for hikers. Once at the summit, visitors are back on a trail which leads to a fire road back to the park's boundary. Shortly after the report came in, a Shenandoah trail crew arrived on scene and confirmed the initial report of the man's condition. Rangers determined he had a broken tibia-fibula and prepared him for a litter carryout. He was extricated via litter through the remainder of the rock scramble to the Ridge Trail, where he was put on a wheeled litter and transported to the trail head. He refused further care and was taken to a hospital by someone in his party. [Brian Sikes, Chief Ranger]
On July 10th, park employees responded to a report of a 71-year-old man experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain on Dark Hollow Falls Trail, one of the most popular and steepest of the park's trails. A ranger/medic provided patient care until a litter team arrived and transported the man by wheeled litter to the park's ambulance. An air evacuation was delayed by weather, but a ground ambulance with a cardiac monitor responded from Rockingham County Fire and Rescue. The man went into cardiac arrest in the park ambulance while en route to the rendezvous with the county ambulance. The ranger/medic and another park employee began CPR and shocked the patient twice with an AED. Rockingham County Fire and Rescue took over patient care upon their arrival. Due to a break in the weather, the helicopter was soon able to land. The team was able to reestablish a pulse and the man was conscious when he was flown to a cardiac cath lab. Later that day, the park received a report that he was sitting up and talking. The responding flight nurse congratulated park staff for doing a "fabulous job" in keeping the man going until the helicopter could arrive. The early intervention provided by Shenandoah staff indisputably saved the man's life. [Brian Sikes, Chief Ranger]
Rangers have been involved in a number of ginseng poaching investigations over the past month. Intelligence gathered from last season's ginseng investigations led rangers to believe that this year would be active based on above average rainfall amounts and the fact that surrounding public land agencies discontinued the issuance of ginseng permits in four states. Three cases have been solved in the last two weeks alone. This year's investigations include one in which 131 roots were discovered. [Brian L. Sikes, Chief Ranger]
Rangers in the park's North District received two separate reports of car clouts (auto break-ins) within 20 minutes of each other at separate overlooks on Monday, October 21st. One of the victims was able to provide a partial description of the suspect vehicle, and a ranger in the Central District soon found it at the Little Stony Man trailhead. The woman inside, who said that she was alone, was not prepared for hiking. While the ranger was interviewing her, a visitor stopped by and reported that there was a man hiding in a nearby ditch. Rangers soon found him. Special agents and rangers recovered items taken during the two break-ins in the park and from at least another 13 auto break-ins that had occurred in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, including various ID's and credit cards. Further investigation revealed that the man and woman were part of a larger criminal enterprise. Both remain in jail. An ISB special agent is continuing the investigation along with investigators from the Secret Service and various state and local law enforcement agencies. [Mike Michener, Deputy Chief Ranger]
On Friday, September 27th, rangers responded to two separate medicals involving a married couple at the Big Meadows Campground, both requiring air evacuation. The original call was for the wife, who'd broken her femur in a fall while getting out of their car at a Big Meadows campsite, but the first ranger on scene reported that her husband had also suffered an injury. He'd reported his wife's injury to the campground staff, but fell from his bicycle while returning to the campsite and sustained significant facial trauma accompanied with memory loss. The Stanley Volunteer Rescue Squad transported one of the victims and rangers transported the other in the park ambulance to the landing zone. Both were flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center. [Mike Michener, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Last August, a ranger began investigating the suspicious use of a government fleet credit card, employing credit card information obtained from the park's budget office and working closely with a neighboring law enforcement agency to acquire video surveillance of the stolen credit card being used. The ranger's investigative efforts lead to the identification of a juvenile YCC park employee as the primary suspect. The cooperating law enforcement agency, which was already investigating similar illegal activity by the same suspect, took over the case in order to convict the juvenile under the state system. The juvenile was found guilty in local court of 23 counts of theft and fraud. Restitution has been made to the park. [Brian Sikes, Chief Ranger]
On October 21st, Shenandoah rangers arrested two people - Florida residents H.W. and S.K. - who were suspected of committing two vehicle burglaries ('car clouts') within the park. Numerous items of stolen property were found inside their vehicle, including various IDs, bank checks, electronic equipment, and over 30 credit cards. Click HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=6843" here to see the original incident report. The case was transferred to the Investigative Services Branch. The ensuing investigation revealed that the pair had been involved in a type of aggravated identity theft referred to as 'Felony Lane Gang' schemes. In summary, the scheme involves breaking into vehicles to steal identification documents, credit cards and bank checks. The perpetrators then cash one victim's bank checks by using a separate victim's bank information and identification. The thieves frequently work in teams and wear disguises in order to appear like their victims. They use the outermost lane at a bank's drive-thru to make their fraudulent transactions, thus earning the nickname the 'Felony Lane Gang.' They also use the victims' credit card(s) to purchase gift cards that can be later used as cash. At the time of their arrest, S.K. and H.W. had in their possession over $3,500 in U.S. currency and 111 gift cards valued at more than $3,800. Several state and federal task forces exist throughout the country to combat these traveling, Florida-based groups. With the assistance of the United States Attorney's Office, the United States Secret Service, local law enforcement agencies, corporate fraud investigators and many victims, investigators uncovered evidence which linked S.K. and H.W. to numerous cases in several different jurisdictions and identified more than 50 additional victims. This evidence was then used to indict them federally under conspiracy and various fraud-related statutes. H.W. is also wanted by the state of Florida on burglary and grand theft charges. Knowing he had an active warrant at the time of his arrest, H.W. falsely identified himself as his brother. His true name was not known until after two court appearances, during which H.W. testified (and lied) under oath about his identity. He was subsequently charged with two counts of perjury. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, both S.K. and H.W. were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud using identification documents of another, conspiracy to commit fraud using access devices, and aggravated identity theft - the proceeds of which totaled more than $70,000. The aggravated identity theft statute (18 U.S.C. 1028A) carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence that is received. A forfeiture provision for the items that were seized in the case was also included in the plea agreements. S.K. and H.W. have been in custody since their arrest and are scheduled to be sentenced on June 12th. [Investigative Services Branch]
Over the past few weeks, rangers have investigated several significant plant poaching and drug cases: Saturday, May 3rd - A natural resources employee saw two people digging for plants near Gravel Springs Gap. A ranger later located the pair collecting mushrooms near Lands Run. The man and woman admitted to digging HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tricoccum" ramps near Gravel Springs and produced a large bag from their trunk containing 186 individual plants collectively weighing just under five pounds. They were each issued mandatory citations for collecting plants. Acting district ranger Stu Curtin is the case officer. Sunday, May 11th - While conducting a foot patrol off Route 211 just above park headquarters, a ranger contacted three men who were collecting mushrooms. Though the men were under their legal limit, the ranger sensed something was up and walked with them back to their vehicle. Additional rangers arrived to assist in a consent vehicle search which yielded another bag of mushrooms and a small amount of methamphetamine. One male was issued mandatory citations for possession of a controlled substance and illegal parking. Ranger Tyler Hudock is the case officer. Tuesday, May 13th - A ranger contacted a woman at Gravel Springs Gap regarding an apparent odor of marijuana. She said that the smell was from a bag of fresh ramps in her trunk, adding that the ramps were dug outside of the park earlier that morning. As additional rangers arrived on scene, a man emerged from the woods and joined her. The mother and her son then confessed to digging ramps in the park and stated they had a large cache of plants and gear down the trail and out of sight. The two also admitted to possessing marijuana. Rangers seized a total of 1,360 individual plants, weighing just over 32 pounds. A vehicle search yielded an ounce and a half of marijuana in individually labeled baggies, along with a digital scale and extra empty baggies. The son was arrested for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and collecting plants. His mother was issued mandatory citations for possession of a controlled substance and collecting plants. Ranger Jeston Fisher is the case officer. Rangers worked closely with the park's natural resources staff to process and preserve the plants and get them replanted as quickly as possible [Brian L. Sikes, Chief Ranger]
On September 1st, USPP Lieutenant Simeon Klebaner and Ranger Michelle Schonzeit went hiking on Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park when they came upon a severely injured hiker. While attempting to help the hiker out of the backcountry, they became concerned that wet terrain and potential storms would impede them in their efforts and might also cause additional injury to the victim. Klebaner accordingly contacted the Park Police Aviation Unit and asked for a helicopter extrication. Pilot Officer Evasick and Rescue Technicians Sergeant Tolson and Sergeant Robbins responded in Eagle Two and conducted a hoist rescue of the injured hiker. Once the injured hiker was safely delivered to the hospital, U.S. Park Police units responded to a call of an injured 12-year-old with a traumatic leg injury on the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls Park. Eagle Two headed to that location, where they mad another hoist rescue. The Aviation Unit has completed 16 hoist rescues since this past January, surpassing 2013's ten hoist rescues conducted throughout the course of the year. [Sergeant Lelani Woods, Public Information Officer]
On Sunday, April 12th, park dispatch received an emergency call regarding a 59 year-old man in cardiac arrest at Rangeview Overlook along Skyline Drive. Rangers Tyler Hudock and Don Savedge responded, arriving on scene in less than a minute. They found the man being cared for by several Good Samaritans and immediately began CPR with the use of an AED. After thorough CPR and nearly 10 shocks with the AED over a 25 minute span, care of the semi-conscious patient was turned over to an AirCare Medevac crew. The man required three more shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm and was then flown to Winchester Medical Center's catheterization lab for advanced lifesaving treatment. He was later diagnosed with a "widow maker" (severe stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery) and remains in the ICU. Rangers Hudock and Savedge and dispatcher Kim Smeltzer provided swift and efficient medical care that without question saved the man's life. Immediate access and use of an AED was instrumental in the successful outcome. This was the parks second save with an AED in the last year. [Stuart Curtin, North District Ranger]
Although only a few reports have so far been filed either by parks or by their nearby news media regarding damage from the March 2nd storm, enough have appeared to provide a sense of its magnitude. For the record, the nor'easter produced sustained winds of near hurricane force, with gusts as high as 97 mph; snowfalls of 15 to 20 inches, with a high of 40 inches in one day in central New York; severe coastal flooding; and power outages to 1.9 million people. Here's what's been reported: Shenandoah National Park — The park is cleaning up from the storm. Gusts that reached nearly 60 miles per hour dropped trees throughout the park; more than 100 fell onto Skyline Drive and crews found more than 460 trees on 45 of the park's 70 trails that had been checked through last weekend. Workers have been using plows to remove fallen debris from roadways. As we "go to press," a third nor'easter is striking much of New England. Reports on that storm will appear next week. Sources: Delaware Water Gap NRA news release; Prince William FP news release; Cape Cod Times news story; WHSV news story.
Reports are beginning to come in on Hurricane Florence's impact on parks, most of them pertaining to closures and reopenings. At the time of writing (Tuesday morning), however, the storm's remnants were still moving up through New York toward New England and hadn't yet brought anticipated heavy rains to a number of sites along its projected route. Over the weekend, the NPS mobilized an incident management team to begin coordination of recovery operations for affected parks. Plans called for it to move to a location in North Carolina sometime on Monday. Here are reports from some of the larger areas in or near the storm's path — see the link below for further reports from smaller sites and additional details and updates from all areas: Shenandoah NP — Skyline Drive and facilities throughout the park have reopened following their closure in anticipation of possible significant impacts from the hurricane. The park was nonetheless still keeping an eye on its remnants and prepared to take necessary action. Source: NPS Hurricane and Severe Weather Response webpage.
As of today, the government has been shut down for 26 days, a new record for shutdowns. The huge sign that appeared recently on the side of the federal building in San Francisco about sums up the perspective of federal workers regarding this ongoing fiasco — "Sorry, We're Shut Down. Tantrum In Progress." Here's a summary of media stories about its impacts on the national parks that have appeared over the past week, grouped under four headings. The National Parks — Articles on the effects of the shutdown on several specific National Park Service areas: Shenandoah NP — On January 11th, Slate posted an interview with Susan Sherman, who serves as executive director for the Shenandoah National Park Trust, regarding the shutdown's impacts on the park. They include vandalism, theft, and continuing closure of 30 miles of Skyline Drive because storm-downed trees haven't yet been removed — plus other less obvious impacts. Sherman also talks about the argument for closing all the parks, period. Source: Dahlia Lithwick, Slate.
The National Parks — Articles on the effects of the shutdown on several specific National Park Service areas — and the ad hoc and often inconsistent ways in which they're being managed during the shutdown: Blue Ridge Parkway/Shenandoah NP — "The parks have shuttered their information centers, locked the restrooms, closed the campgrounds, and left the public to its own devices," reports Blue Ridge Outdoors. "The majority of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the 40-mile stretch from the south entrance of Shenandoah National Park have remained closed and gated for over two months [due to trees that fell in a November storm]. Necessary maintenance and debris removal have halted indefinitely, leaving outdoor enthusiasts wondering when they will be able to enjoy the BRP and SNP once again." Source: Blue Ridge Outdoors.
Below are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter: Shenandoah NP — Crews are finally digging out a 40-mile stretch of Skyline Drive after a series of winter storms closed it for more than four months. The park hopes to open the southern portion of the road by early April. The closure, which was one of the longest in decades, was instituted after ice storms pounded the region's Blue Ridge Mountains. The five-week partial government shutdown further delayed the cleanup. The road remains closed from near Elkton to where it ends in the south near Waynesboro. Source: Associated Press via The Star.
The increasing frequency of climate-change-related severe weather closures and incidents in NPS areas has warranted the creation of a weekly — or maybe intermittent — Servicewide summary: Shenandoah NP — Crews have been working to clean up Skyline Drive since last November, when an ice storm closed the South District from Elkton to Waynesboro. Although there was damage throughout the park, only the South District was still closed as of earlier this month. At one point this winter, trees were covered with three-quarters of an inch of ice, causing massive tree damage. A video is included with the story. Source: WHSV News.
A dog that was reported missing in the park on July 4th was found on July 15th after hikers happened upon him just off the Stony Man Trail. K.M. said that she and her hiking partner found the dog — M. — hiding in the brush near a spring. The found him purely by happenstance when they ventured a few feet off the trail after hearing a spring and then seeing some wild blackberries. K.M. said M. was uncomfortable, growled at them, and appeared to have an injured leg when he was found. Rangers were called and Max was taken to safety on a stretcher as a precaution, quickly warming up to the people attending to him. A vet said M. lost 10 pounds during the time he was missing. His legs were weak, but other than some scratches, he was healthy and was reunited with his family. Source: Brian Tynes, WDBJ News.
A teenager died late last month after slipping on wet rocks and falling 40 feet from the upper waterfalls on Whiteoak Canyon Trail. A recent graduate of Fauquier County High School, 18-year-old E.G.C. lost his life while hiking with a friend on July 18th. The friend was injured when he fell while trying to traverse the side of the falls to reach him. The incident was reported to park dispatch at 7:15 p.m. that evening. When rangers arrived on scene, CPR was already being performed on the teen by bystanders and was continued by park staff until he was pronounced dead. The second teen was removed from the scene via a wheeled litter and transported to Page Memorial Hospital in Luray with non-life-threatening injuries. Numerous rangers responded, including two ALS providers and the park's entire 27-member SAR team. Source: Allison Brophy, Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.
Late on the morning of September 2nd, park dispatch received a report of airplane wreckage being found roughly near the Buck Hollow Trail from Skyline Drive. Responding rangers found that the pilot and sole occupant of the Piper PA-20 — 35-year old N.H. of San Luis Obispo, California — had been killed in the crash. The Virginia State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are assisting the park in the investigation. Source: WVIR News.
Warren County sheriff's deputies rescued a 61-year-old woman after finding her late last week in the early stages of hypothermia in thick underbrush in the park. The search for the woman began with a request at 10:40 p.m. from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office for assistance in locating her. She had left her residence that morning and her family had not been able to locate or contact her since then. The woman's phone indicated she was last known to be near the area north of Skyline Drive. Her vehicle was found on Skyline Drive in the area of the Dicky Ridge trailhead. A search was begun that included a bloodhound. The dog, following up on scent from the woman's clothing, found her lying face down in dense underbrush. She was still breathing, but extremely disoriented and in the beginning stages of hypothermia after being in the area for about 11 hours. The woman was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for further treatment and evaluation. Source: Charles Paullin, The Northern Virginia Daily.
J.C.D. was last seen on July 14 in Charlottesville, VA, and her car was found wrecked and abandoned on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah on July 17. Security footage revealed the car entered the park on July 14. The park conducted a search with help from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Albemarle County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and the NPS Investigative Services Branch. On July 24, a body was found in extremely steep and rough terrain. It was taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Augusta County and was positively identified as J.C.D. The investigation into her disappearance and cause of death is ongoing. Sources: WHSV, Charlotte Observer, Associated Press, Culpeper Star-Exponent, WRIC
A 32-year-old visitor was reported missing, last seen on December 24 backpacking north on the Appalachian Trail from McCormick Gap. A ranger located the backpacker on January 5 and reported her safe. No more details about the incident have been released. Source: WJLAShenandoah National Park Facebook page
Around 2 AM on April 18, the Blackrock guest cabin and a small maintenance building at Big Meadows Lodge burned. NPS staff and fire departments from Elkton, Luray, and Stanley responded. The lodge is operated by the park's concessioner, Delaware North Corporation. The buildings were not occupied because the lodge is not yet open for the season. The cause of the fire is unknown and the incident is under investigation. Source: WJLA July 13, 2022 On June 30, The Washington Post published an in-depth article about an April 2021 incident in which a mentally unstable 18-year-old high school student disappeared and then was later found deceased near the Hannah Run Trail. There is some possibility that the individual was hallucinating due to acne medication. Source: The Washington Post
On July 17, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland broke her leg while hiking in the park. She was treated with help from park staff, U.S. Park Police, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Source: NBC News
On August 5, a visitor fell thirty feet down a cliff "from the back of a campsite" on Skyline Drive. Rockingham County Fire and Rescue responded and was able to rescue the individual utilizing technical rope rescue techniques. The individual was flown to University of Virginia Health for trauma care. Source: WRIC
On December 12, an individual was reported as missing. The individual's car was located three days later at the Turk Gap Parking area. The individual had filed a backcountry permit for a seven-night trip on the Appalachian Trail, starting September 22. The NPS is searching for any information the public may have. Source: WRIC
The park was hit by back-to-back winter storm systems on December 15 and December 22, leaving Skyline Drive closed for damage assessments and debris removal. As of January 6, parts of Skyline Drive had been reopened, while others remained closed. Source: Culpeper Star-Exponent
Human remains were found on January 2 in the southern part of the park near the location of a vehicle for a 66-year-old missing person. The remains are suspected to belong to the missing individual, though positive identification and cause of death are still pending from the Office of the Medical Examiner in Augusta County. The individual had been reported missing on December 12 and their car was found at the Turk Mountain parking area three days later. The individual had filed a backcountry permit for a seven-night trip from that trailhead in September. Source: Shenandoah National Park
On March 23, a wildfire started in the Big Meadows area. 25 wildfire personnel from the NPS and U.S. Forest Service responded and were able to contain the fire at just over 13 acres. Several Big Meadows trails and Rapidan Road were closed while crews conducted operations. The power was temporarily turned off in the area and was restored on March 24, in time for the Big Meadows facility season opening. Big Meadows Wayside, Campground, and Picnic Grounds, as well as the Lewis Mountain area are all now open. Source: Shenandoah National Park, WRIC
The park said that it has had an increase in vandalism and litter across the park, particularly pet waste. The park is one of the few to allow dogs on trail and said that they hope problems can be addressed so that dogs can continue to be allowed on trails. Source: WHSV
On May 15, the Virginia State Police issued a "critically missing adult alert" for a 21-year-old individual. The individual had last been seen on May 5 in Oakton, Virginia, and was headed to George Mason University, located four miles away. On May 17, the individual's vehicle was found in a parking lot at Mile 21 of Skyline Drive in the park, which is about 70 miles from Oakton. Fairfax County Police have said that the individual may have been "endangered due to mental and/or physical health concerns." The park closed Overall Run, Traces, Mathews Arm, Tuscarora, Beecher Ridge, and Thompson Hollow to the public to conduct a wide search. On May 21, a deceased person was found 1.6 miles from the individual's car in steep terrain near several rock outcrops. The person's body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas, Virginia, where it was positively identified as the individual. Officials are still working on a determination of cause of death. The search involved Shenandoah National Park Search and Rescue, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Fairfax County Police, Virginia State Police, Piedmont SAR, Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue Group, Old Rag Mountain Stewards, Virginia Rescue Dog Association, Christian Ministries SAR, SAR Tracking Institute, Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Blue and Grey Rescue Dogs, TrotSAR, and K9 Alert. Source: WHSV, The News and Observer, Shenandoah National Park (5/19, 5/21), WJLA
On August 31, the park closed all fishing on rivers and streams in the park due to extremely low stream flows and warm water temperatures, which are stressful for fish. The closure will remain in place until conditions improve. Source: National Parks Traveler
On September 1, a 75-year-old was reported missing. The individual had been last seen on August 30. Their backpack was found in Pinefield Hut off Skyline Drive in the park. On September 2, a group of searchers found the individual in the southern part of the park, near Ivy Creek. Agencies involved in the search included the NPS, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Blacksburg Rescue Squad, K9 Alert, Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, Tidewater Search and Rescue, Blue Ridge Mountain Rescue, Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S., Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association, DOGS-East Search and Rescue, Black Diamond Search and Rescue, Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association, Rocking-ham-Augusta Search and Rescue, Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue, Search and Rescue Tracking Institute, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Source: Shenandoah National Park (9/1, 9/2)
On September 8, the Millers Head Fire started. Initial reports indicate the fire was "naturally caused." As of September 17, the fire was 100% contained at 2.5 acres. Source: FOX5, WZRV
On October 26, the Quaker Run Fire was spotted in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. It has been slowly growing; as of November 12, it has burned about 3,877 acres, including about 670 acres in the park near Whiteoak and Old Rag. It is about 40% contained with 201 personnel assigned. Within the park, efforts have been focused on keeping the fire away from historic Rapidan Camp, also known as Camp Hoover because of its use by President Herbert Hoover. As of November 9, closures included the Graves Mill Trail, Wilhite Wagon Trail, Mill Prong Trail and Horse Trail, Stony Mountain trail, Fork Mountain Trail, Laurel Prong from Cat Knob intersection, Upper Dark Hollow Trail, and the lower Rapidan Fire Road beyond the portion open to bicycles. The powerline that supplies the Big Meadows area was de-energized for firefighter safety, so the Big Meadows Lodge closed for the season on November 6, which was a week earlier than already planned. Other infrastructure at Big Meadows, including the visitor center and campground, remain open by use of generators. Source: National Parks Traveler, Wildfire Today, Shenandoah National Park, News Leader, The Daily Progress
On November 22, the park reopened all trails in the Rapidan Camp area. The trails were closed due to the Quaker Run Fire. On November 17, the fire was declared 100% contained at 3,937 acres, with about 700 acres located in the park. Source: Shenandoah National Park
On December 6, the NPS lifted its parkwide fishing closure, which was implemented on August 31 due to extremely dry conditions and low stream flows. Rainfall has improved conditions. Source: Shenandoah National Park
On January 15, Skyline Drive closed to all vehicles. Source: CBS 19 News
On March 20, the a wildfire started in the area of Rocky Branch. As of March 22, it had burned 1,188 acres and was 10% contained. No structures are currently threatened. Responding agencies include the NPS, Luray Fire Department, and Virginia Department of Forestry. Closures are in place, including Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) to Mathews Arm (mile 22.1). The cause of the fire is unknown. Source: Shenandoah National Park
On June 20, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced they have identified a now-deceased individual as the person responsible for killing two visitors, ages 24 and 26, in a campground in the park in 1996. The cold case had been taken up by a new investigative team in 2021. Recently, a private lab was able to pull DNA from evidence collected at the crime scene. It was analyzed by the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, which came back with a positive match to an individual who died in prison in 2018. The individual had been imprisoned for kidnapping and multiple rapes and assaults. Retesting of evidence from the 1996 crime also revealed the two victims had been sexually assaulted. The FBI has stated that they are working with other law enforcement agencies to determine if the perpetrator was responsible for other unsolved crimes. Source: AP News
On June 30, the park banned fishing throughout the park due to extremely low stream flows and high water temperatures from hot weather conditions. These conditions create low oxygen levels and stressful conditions for fish, and native brook trout populations are already low across the park. The closure will be lifted when stream conditions improve. Source: Fauquier Now
On August 12, the park lifted its parkwide ban on fishing, which it had instituted on June 27 due to dry conditions and low stream flows. Recent rainfall has improved conditions. Source: Shenandoah National Park
On September 22, several vehicles were broken into in the Big Meadows area. Visitors reported stolen credit and debit cards, forms of identification, and other personal items. The park is asking the public for any information it can provide. Source: Shenandoah National Park | |