NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
NOTICE
Hawaiian Parks
Preparations Underway For Tropical Storm Felicia
Parks in the Hawaiian Islands are preparing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Felicia. As of yesterday afternoon, Felicia's center was located about 235 miles east-northeast of Hawai‘i Island. The storm continues to move westward toward Hawaii at 12 mph. On this track, the center of Felicia is expected to reach the islands sometime today. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the islands of Maui (site of Haleakala National Park), Kaho‘olawe, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i (site of Kalaupapa National Historical Park), and O‘ahu (site of World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument). Felicia packs maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts. A large ocean swell generated by Felicia is already affecting coastlines across the state. Two reports have been received on preparations:
Hawaii Volcanoes NP - Due to the potential severe weather hazard posed by tropical storm Felicia, Hawai‘i Volcanoes closed all backcountry trails and campsites on Sunday. As a precaution, a dozen volunteers were also pulled from four beaches where they spend their days and nights monitoring the nesting of endangered Hawksbill turtles.
Haleakala NP - Hosmer Grove will be closed to all uses, including camping. All beach access points in Kipahulu will be closed, as will to all trails and backcountry. Park staff will continue to monitor the situation throughout the course of the event. If conditions necessitate, the park may put more closures into effect. Park management advises that the safest action would be for visitors to come the park after the storm passes
Regardless of the intensity of Felicia when it reaches the Hawaiian Islands, locally heavy rainfall is still expected to occur and flash flooding remains a possibility. [Mardie Lane, HAVO, and Naaman Horn, HALE]
North Cascades NP
Noted Climber Killed In Mountaineering Accident
A climber was killed early on Sunday, August 9th, in a mountaineering accident involving an icefall. C.L., 49, of Golden, Colorado, and Guillermo Benegas of Sandy, Utah, were beginning the Torment-Forbidden Traverse, which is an alpine rock ridge traverse connecting the two peak summits. The climb begins with an ascent of Mount Torment. Having ascended most of the Taboo Glacier on approach to Mount Torment's southeast face, the two climbers were negotiating a huge gap between two sections of ice called a bergshrund. When Luebben moved onto the upper section of glacier, a piece of ice measuring 100 by 20 by 10 feet broke off, taking the climber with it. A single cam device held his fall, but he still fell approximately 40 feet and was critically injured by falling ice. Pieces of ice also hit climbing partner Benegas, but he was able to position Luebben on a ledge and scramble to a location where he could call 911 with a cell phone. National Park Service rangers were transported to the scene by via helicopter and preceded with a recovery and rescue of the two climbers. Luebben was a well-known and accomplished climber, Everest guide and author, having made first ascents in Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Zion and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks. [Kelly Bush]
Badlands NP
Pursuit, Arrest Follow Driver's Refusal To Pay Entrance Fee
Ranger Teri Stoia was dispatched to the park's Interior fee station on August 4th to investigate an incident in which a prospective visitor wanted to enter the park but declined to pay the entrance fee. She contacted the driver, late identified as J.B. of Hankinson, North Dakota, and found that J.B. wouldn't pay the fee because he contended that he was not subject to the laws of the United States. J.B. told Stoia to write him a citation. When Stoia asked him for his driver's license, J.B. refused to provide it and instead sped off into the park. Stoia pursued and summoned assistance; rangers and BIA officers who were on detail to the park during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally responded. The pursuit continued across the entire park, exiting through the Northeast entrance station. Rangers and officers several times attempted “rolling roadblocks” in an effort to stop J.B., but each time he would swerve his vehicle towards the nearest cruiser, requiring the officer to take evasive action to avoid a collision or being forced off the highway. South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers responded from Interstate 90 and laid down a series of speed strips to stop J.B.'s vehicle. Before he reached them, rangers and officers were finally able to successfully employ a rolling roadblock and get J.B. to stop. He was taken into custody without further incident. The United States Attorney's Office in Rapid City intends to charge J.B. with multiple counts of assault on a federal law enforcement officer. [Mark Gorman, Chief Ranger]
Rocky Mountain NP
Injured Hiker Evacuated From Near Summit Of Mount Ida
The county sheriff's office received a 911 call regarding an injury on Mount Ida early on the afternoon of Saturday, August 8th, and passed it on to the park. A 32-year-old man had taken a 20-foot tumbling, sliding fall near the mountain's summit and suffered cuts, bruises and a broken leg. Two rangers reached him several hours later. They found him positioned on loose rock and scree a few hundred feet below the ridgeline. A litter team of seven rangers headed to the location, but had to turn back due to darkness. Five rangers stayed with the man and his hiking partner overnight. On Sunday morning, the litter team, accompanied by two park medics, hiked up to the site, set up a low-angle technical rescue to bring him 200 feet up toward the summit, and moved him to a position where he could be lifted out by helicopter. [Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer]
Colorado NM
Vandals Damage Historic Structure
On the night of Monday, August 3rd, vandals wantonly damaged part of the historic Devil's Kitchen stone picnic shelter. They broke 21 panes of glass, some original to the building, broke into a service closet, emptied a fire extinguisher onto picnic tables and the ground area, broke door handles and latches, scattered debris, and left human excrement in their wake. This beautiful structure was constructed by hand by the hard-working men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941. The stone picnic shelter was placed on the National Register of Historic Structures in 1994 to recognize its nationally historic significance and the great conservation work legacy of the CCC. The Devil's Kitchen picnic area is used by more than 100,000 visitors annually, including many people who hold family picnics, reunions and other events there. It's also the place where the Junior Ranger Explorer summer day camp is staged. Fortunately, the camp had just completed its last session at the picnic area on Monday, otherwise the children would have been without their camp base. The camp serves 350 children of the Grand Valley each summer at no charge to the children's families. The Devil's Kitchen parking lot, historic picnic shelter, and restrooms have been closed while the law enforcement investigation is underway and to allow for safe cleanup of the volume of broken glass and scattered rocks. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 241-7867 or 1-800-221-7867. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. The first story on the list is the lead story.
Zion NP - On Friday, July 31st, approximately 300 visitors and invited guests gathered at the old Grotto Museum building in Zion Canyon to observe the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park, which dates its origin from its establishment as Mukuntuweap National Monument on July 31, 1909. Photo.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=8024" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=8024
Fort Sumter NM - The anniversary of the Civil War battle of Battery Wagner and the 54th Massachusetts drew over 150 visitors to this standing-room-only event. Photo.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7958" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7958
Mount Rushmore NM - Children and spectators crowded NPS vehicles as over 20 park employees from Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Xanterra Parks and Resorts participated in the 24th annual Oglala Sioux Nation Pow Wow parade on the Pine Ridge Reservation on August 1st. Photo.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=8002" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=8002
* * * * *
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
--- ### ---