NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, March 4, 2013
INCIDENTS
Grand Teton NP
Skier Dies In Avalanche In Teton Range
A backcountry skier died in an avalanche in the Teton Range last Friday morning. J.S., 40, was ascending Apocalypse Couloir with a companion in order to access a narrow and steep chute on the flank of Prospectors Mountain, which they intended to ski. Approximately 200 feet below the fork of the couloir, they were hit by an avalanche that originated further up the slope. J.S. was caught in the slide and carried approximately 1000 feet down the slope. His partner immediately began a search that ultimately led him to J.S., who was lying face down in the snow and partially buried. He began CPR to revive his friend and about 15 minutes later used a cell phone to make an emergency call and alert rangers of the situation. They immediately organized a rescue mission with the assistance of the Teton County Search and Rescue contract helicopter and members of the county rescue team. A landing zone was established near Sawmill Ponds on the Moose-Wilson Road and four rangers were flown to the backcountry location, where they landed near the base of Apocalypse Couloir. In advance of their arrival, J.S.'s partner was able to move his friend to that same location and await the helicopter and rescuers. J.S.'s body was flown out and turned over to the Teton County coroner's office. His partner and the rescuers then skied out of the backcountry together. This was the second avalanche fatality in the park this year. An avalanche on Survey Peak in the northern Teton Range took the life of a skier on January 27th. [Jackie Skaggs, Public Affairs Officer]
Glen Canyon NRA
Man Pleads Guilty To ARPA Violation
On February 25th, Utah resident W.A. pled guilty to the unauthorized removal of archeological resources from Glen Canyon NRA during a trip to the park in October of 2009. W.A. was initially believed to have removed a mummified infant from a Native American gravesite, but the object was later examined by several archeologists and found to be an unusually large mass clay substance believed to have been gathered by historic tribal residents of a nearby archeological site for the purpose of making pottery. The artifact, possibly dating no more recently than A.D. 1300, will be retained in the park's museum collection. In addition to being fined $1,000, W.A. was ordered to pay restitution to the Department of Interior Restoration Fund in the amount of $1,000. [Investigative Services Branch]
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/):
Carlsbad Caverns NP - Carlsbad Caverns National Park is about to have an interpretive movie to call its own for the first time in the park's 85 year history. Parts of the film, which is due to be completed next year, were shot earlier this month.
Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings, newly introduced bills, and the status of legislation of interest to the National Park Service. This report covers the week ending on Friday, March 1st.
Pacific West Region - Steve Mietz has been named superintendent at Great Basin National Park. He replaces former superintendent Andy Ferguson, who retired earlier this year.
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The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced by the Office of Communications with the support of the Office of the Associate Director for Information Resources. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov).
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