NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
INCIDENTS
Yosemite NP
Three Climbers Rescued From El Capitan
Three rock climbers were rescued from the wall of El Capitan on Monday afternoon, culminating a two-day rescue operation. S.L., 24, W.M., 25, and R.M., 23, were lowered down the 7,563-foot-high granite monolith after spending the night on the wall. Walker and Rio were not injured; S.L. sustained moderate injuries. Rangers were assisted in the technical rescue effort by an Army National Guard Chinook helicopter from Stockton, California, a California Highway Patrol helicopter from Auburn, California, and a private helicopter from Columbia, California. At 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, park dispatch received a call from S.L. asking for assistance. While climbing, a rock weighing about 200 pounds dislodged and struck her. At first, the trio attempted to finish the climb, but S.L.'s injuries lead her to again call dispatch around 2:30 p.m. and solicit assistance. With daylight dwindling, rangers were not able to bring in a helicopter or launch a rescue and the three climbers were forced to spend the night on the wall. On Monday morning, the park contacted the law enforcement division of the California Emergency Management Agency and asked for assistance in the rescue effort. They in turn contacted the Army National Guard, who dispatched a Chinook helicopter to Yosemite Valley to assist in the rescue efforts. The military helicopter transported rescue personnel to the top of El Capitan, where rangers Matt Stark and Chris Bellino were lowered to the injured climbers. The group was then lowered to the base of El Capitan. A CHP helicopter short-hauled S.L. to El Capitan Meadow, where she was transported out of Yosemite Valley. Completing the rescue mission on Monday was critical due to deteriorating weather conditions, including fog covering Yosemite Valley and impending snowfall at the higher elevations. Over 30 Yosemite rangers, Yosemite Search and Rescue team members and others assisted in this complex technical rescue, putting their lives at risk to rescue the climbers. [Kari Cobb, Public Affairs Officer]
Big Bend NP
Poachers Caught With Two Mule Deer Inside Park
On the morning of Monday, December 6th, ranger John Craig responded to a report of possible hunters inside the park. The report had come from a neighbor near the park's remote northwest boundary. The neighbor had called Texas Parks & Wildlife game wardens, and they in turn called the park because Big Bend is an area with exclusive jurisdiction. Craig met with the reporting party and the wardens. While there, he saw two hunters inside the park carrying both deer remains and rifles. Investigation revealed that four people had been hunting in the park and that two mule deer had been taken well within the boundaries. The deer and rifles were seized as evidence. One of the poachers was found to be a felon who is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Multiple charges are pending. [Allen S. Etheridge, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):
Sequoia/Kings Canyon NPs - Approximately 400 visitors participated last Sunday in the annual trek to the General Grant Tree, known as the “Nation's Christmas Tree.” Each year a wreath is placed there in memory of members of the Armed Forces who have died defending the country.
Workplace Enrichment - The NPS awards program has been redesigned. Award nomination periods will now be announced during two “consolidated awards calls” each year. This new process is intended to encourage innovations, increase award nominations, and celebrate the accomplishments of nominees and recipients. Photo.
Climate Change Response Program - The December 2010 issue of the Climate Change Response Program's newsletter is now available. A link is provided.
Intermountain Region - Colin Campbell, a deputy superintendent at Yellowstone National Park, has been named deputy regional director for operations in Intermountain Region. Photo.
Northeast Region - Stephen M. Clark, currently the region's chief of law enforcement and emergency services, has been named regional chief ranger, succeeding Jill Hawk, who will be the superintendent at Morristown NHP.
Southeast Region - Patricia M. Wissinger has been named the new superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Wissinger, who had been serving as the acting superintendent since July, officially assumed her new duties on November 22nd. Photo.
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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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