July 25, 2010
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Grand Teton National Park, in cooperation with the Grand Teton Association and Center of Wonder, will welcome Tyler Nordgren to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center on Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. for a lecture and author signing of his new book Stars Above, Earth Below: A guide to astronomy in the national parks.
Nordgren, an associate professor of physics at University of the Redlands in California, is an astronomer and writer. He recently took a journey across the American landscape to explore connections between national parks and the wonders of the night sky. Nordgren visited 12 parks in 12 months, exploring the icy realms of Denali National Park in Alaska, the red rock cliffs and canyons of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and the serrated pinnacles of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. As he met with park experts and visitors, Nordgren examined the astrophysical features that link national parks to other elements of the solar system.
Through his journey, Nordgren studied the uniquely dark skies visible at national parks across the West: a resource that is quickly vanishing from the rest of America. For a vast majority of national park visitors, a star-filled sky is as extraordinary and magical as glaciers, geysers, or grizzly bears. A night spent camping under the stars in places like Grand Teton affords a view of the cosmos not found in many other places. National parks preserve the last best window into the great universe beyond, offering a rare glimpse of the bright band of the Milky Way with its great family of stars, planets, and other astral bodies.
Nordgren’s lecture begins at 1 p.m. with a book signing to follow at 2 p.m. For further information, please contact the Discovery Center at 307.739.3399. For information on the Center of Wonder, contact Carrie Geraci at 307.734.0570.
Injured Hiker Rescued from Garnet Canyon
July 23, 2010
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At 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, park rangers received a report of an injured hiker in Garnet Canyon. Scott Hanson, 43, of El Dorado Hills, California was completing a two-day guided climb of the Grand Teton when he slipped on a rock in a boulder field about four miles up Garnet Canyon and sustained minor injuries. Hanson had successfully completed his climb of the Grand Teton and was walking out of Garnet Canyon at the time of the accident.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received notice of the situation about 2 p.m. on Thursday. The guide for the excursion reported that his client was unable to continue hiking out and would require assistance for evacuation from the canyon.
A Teton Interagency helicopter was still on scene at the Jenny Lake rescue cache after completing two lengthy and challenging days of rescue operations on the Grand Teton. The ship’s availability made it possible to conduct a quick aerial evacuation of Hanson. Two rangers were flown by helicopter to a spot near the boulder field. From there, they hiked to Hanson’s location, provided emergency medical care and placed him in an evacuation suit for a short-haul flight. Hanson, accompanied by a ranger, was then flown beneath the helicopter directly to Lupine Meadows.
Hanson remained in the care of rangers until his father hiked out approximately four miles and transported him to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson for additional care.
Rangers remind backcountry users that most injuries are the result of slips on rock or snow; in addition, most accidents with injuries occur at the end of the day, on the descent, when people are tired and perhaps inattentive.
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At 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, park rangers received a report of an injured hiker in Garnet Canyon. Scott Hanson, 43, of El Dorado Hills, California was completing a two-day guided climb of the Grand Teton when he slipped on a rock in a boulder field about four miles up Garnet Canyon and sustained minor injuries. Hanson had successfully completed his climb of the Grand Teton and was walking out of Garnet Canyon at the time of the accident.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received notice of the situation about 2 p.m. on Thursday. The guide for the excursion reported that his client was unable to continue hiking out and would require assistance for evacuation from the canyon.
A Teton Interagency helicopter was still on scene at the Jenny Lake rescue cache after completing two lengthy and challenging days of rescue operations on the Grand Teton. The ship’s availability made it possible to conduct a quick aerial evacuation of Hanson. Two rangers were flown by helicopter to a spot near the boulder field. From there, they hiked to Hanson’s location, provided emergency medical care and placed him in an evacuation suit for a short-haul flight. Hanson, accompanied by a ranger, was then flown beneath the helicopter directly to Lupine Meadows.
Hanson remained in the care of rangers until his father hiked out approximately four miles and transported him to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson for additional care.
Rangers remind backcountry users that most injuries are the result of slips on rock or snow; in addition, most accidents with injuries occur at the end of the day, on the descent, when people are tired and perhaps inattentive.
Rangers Recover Body of University Student in Garnet Canyon
Middle Teton as seen from Garnet Canyon, looking west
July 23, 2010
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Grand Teton National Park rangers are investigating the death of a young University of Michigan student, who apparently fell 80 feet after summiting the 12,804-foot Middle Teton on Tuesday evening, July 20. Jillian Drow, age 21, of Chelsea, Michigan separated from her climbing partner as they descended the mountain. When Drow failed to return to a backcountry camp in Garnet Canyon, the group’s leader began to search for her. He discovered Drow, who was unresponsive and lifeless, at approximately 9 p.m.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a cell phone call from the University of Michigan group leader at 7:30 on Tuesday evening. He reported that a member of their party—a group of eight—was missing, and they were searching for her whereabouts. A second cell phone call was received at 9:03 p.m. reporting that Drow had been found, but not alive.
Because of the late hour and waning light, a helicopter flight was not possible. Therefore, four park rangers were dispatched to hike up to the Garnet Canyon campsite to begin a recovery operation; they arrived at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21. Six of the University of Michigan students hiked out of the canyon to the valley floor in the early hours of Wednesday morning, while park rangers remained with Drow and the group leader to make preparations for an aerial evacuation with daylight on Wednesday morning.
A Teton Interagency helicopter flew Drow and the group leader out at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, just a few hours before a severe lightning storm enveloped the Teton Range. The lightning storm injured 17 climbers on the 13,770-foot Grand Teton and a full-scale rescue mission was launched by park rangers to rescue and extricate the injured climbers in the aftermath of the Drow evacuation and severe storm event.
Park rangers will continue their investigation to circumstances surrounding Drow’s death. No further details are available at this time.
Rangers Conduct Complex Mountain Rescue for Climbers Injured During Lightning Storm
Climbers were caught by severe lightning storm
on the west and northwest faces of the Grand Teton
July 22, 2010
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Grand Teton National Park rangers launched a multi-faceted, complex rescue operation to reach numerous climbers who were injured by lightning during the passage of an active and severe thunderstorm in the Teton Range on Wednesday, July 21. Lightning bolts struck multiple locations on the 13,770-foot Grand Teton at around noon, and 16 climbers received moderate to severe injuries from indirect electrical charges radiating from the lightning. One climber—who was still missing on Wednesday evening—was discovered during an aerial search by helicopter at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 22. Brandon Oldenkamp, age 21, from Sanborn, Iowa, apparently fell about 2,000 feet to his death when he was impacted by a lightning strike. His body was located off the Northwest Face of the Grand Teton below a feature called the Black Ice Couloir.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received an initial cell phone call at 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday from one of the climbing parties, requesting help for injured persons. Rangers immediately began to stage a rescue mission for that climbing party, when another cell phone call was received at 1:30 p.m. by a separate climbing party who had also been hit by lightning. Eventually, a third group made contact to summon help and the rescue mission increased in size, scope and complexity.
Rangers summoned the Teton Interagency contract helicopter and began to fly rescue personnel and equipment to the 11,600-foot Lower Saddle of the Grand Teton from where the rescue operation would be staged. Once the equipment and staff were in place at the Lower Saddle, rangers quickly climbed to various areas on the Grand Teton where the injured people were located. As rangers reached the separate climbing parties, they provided emergency medical care and prepared the injured people for evacuation from the mountain. The 16 different climbers all received lightning-related injuries—burns and varying levels of neurological problems—as they were indirectly affected by an electrical charge from one or more lightning strikes. The rescue mission continued in the midst of rain squalls, thick clouds and additional thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening hours of Wednesday.
The rescue operation involved a sequential evacuation of the 16 climbers. Two climbers reached the Lower Saddle on their own, but were flown via helicopter to the Lupine Meadows rescue cache. Seven climbers were able to make their way down from a ledge above the Black Ice Couloir at 13,200 feet with the assistance of professional guides from Exum Mountain Guides. The remaining seven climbers—who were located between 13,300 and 13,600 feet in elevation—were reached by rangers and transported via short-haul to the Lower Saddle where they were treated by an emergency room doctor from St. John’s Medical Center, before being placed in a second helicopter to be flown to the Lupine Meadows rescue cache on the valley floor at 6,700-feet elevation. The passage of a late afternoon thunderstorm temporarily delayed the transport of the climbers from the Lower Saddle. As weather conditions improved the aerial evacuation continued until all the injured persons were delivered to the valley floor and waiting ambulances that then transported them to St. John’s Medical Center.
Three rangers remained at the Lower Saddle overnight in a rescue hut, to help complete rescue operations at first light on Thursday.
The rescue is one of the largest and more complex missions conducted by Grand Teton National Park staff given the number of injured people, the vertical terrain of the incident and inclement weather conditions.
Fire Danger Rating Elevated to High
July 20, 2010
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Teton Interagency fire managers elevated the fire danger rating to “high” for Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest as of Tuesday, July 20. Drying and cured vegetation—combined with a rise in daily temperatures, lower humidity, and breezy afternoon winds—has increased the potential for fire activity in the region.
In other fire news, the Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park was declared controlled as of Monday, July 19. The 46-acre fire will be monitored for hotspots until fire managers can declare it to be out.
When determining fire danger ratings, fire managers use several indices such as, the moisture content of grasses, shrubs and trees, projected weather conditions (including temperatures and possible wind events), the ability of fire to spread after ignition, and the availability of firefighting resources across the country. A high fire danger rating means that fires can start easily and spread quickly.
Local residents and visitors alike should exercise an extra measure of caution and practice heightened fire safety at all times—responsible steps include making sure that a campfire is thoroughly extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campsite.
Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires. So far this summer, campers have carelessly abandoned 54 campfires in the Teton Interagency area. The fine for an abandoned campfire is significant, and campers can also be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire. Visitors should never leave a fire unattended, and should prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand.
To report a fire or smoke in either area, call Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307.739.3630. For more fire information, please visit the Web at http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/index.html or www.tetonfires.com, or follow GrandTetonNPS or BridgerTetonNF on Twitter.
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Teton Interagency fire managers elevated the fire danger rating to “high” for Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest as of Tuesday, July 20. Drying and cured vegetation—combined with a rise in daily temperatures, lower humidity, and breezy afternoon winds—has increased the potential for fire activity in the region.
In other fire news, the Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park was declared controlled as of Monday, July 19. The 46-acre fire will be monitored for hotspots until fire managers can declare it to be out.
When determining fire danger ratings, fire managers use several indices such as, the moisture content of grasses, shrubs and trees, projected weather conditions (including temperatures and possible wind events), the ability of fire to spread after ignition, and the availability of firefighting resources across the country. A high fire danger rating means that fires can start easily and spread quickly.
Local residents and visitors alike should exercise an extra measure of caution and practice heightened fire safety at all times—responsible steps include making sure that a campfire is thoroughly extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campsite.
Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires. So far this summer, campers have carelessly abandoned 54 campfires in the Teton Interagency area. The fine for an abandoned campfire is significant, and campers can also be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire. Visitors should never leave a fire unattended, and should prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand.
To report a fire or smoke in either area, call Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307.739.3630. For more fire information, please visit the Web at http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc/dispatch/wy-tdc/index.html or www.tetonfires.com, or follow GrandTetonNPS or BridgerTetonNF on Twitter.
Injured Hiker Rescued from Paintbrush Canyon
July 19, 2010
10-54
Grand Teton National Park rangers rescued an injured hiker from Paintbrush Canyon on Sunday evening, July 18, using the Teton Interagency contract helicopter. John Stewart Laing, age 48, from Peyton, Colorado was hiking near the 10,720-foot elevation Paintbrush Divide when he slid about 30 feet after the snow he was walking across collapsed. Laing then somersaulted down a talus slope another 70 to 100 feet and sustained a serious leg injury. Laing had an ice axe, but fell onto his back and was unable to self arrest.
Laing and his brother were on the second day of an overnight backpacking trip, hiking the Paintbrush-Cascade Canyon loop trail. The men were approaching the top of the east side of the divide when the incident occurred just before 2 p.m.
Laing’s brother, with the help of two hikers, stabilized the leg injury before running down Paintbrush Canyon until he was able to call for help on a cell phone. Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received the report around 3 p.m. and immediately initiated a rescue response.
Rangers conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight to locate Laing before dropping off two rangers on a snowfield near the top of the divide at about 4:20 p.m. Rangers hiked a short distance to the accident site, approximately 200 feet below the Paintbrush Divide summit, and provided Laing with emergency medical care before placing him into a rescue litter for aerial evacuation. Just after 6 p.m., Laing was flown via short-haul to the same snowfield at the top of Paintbrush Divide where the two rangers had been dropped off earlier; three additional rangers were stationed at the snowfield and waiting to receive the litter. Laing was then placed inside of the helicopter for a flight down to Lupine Meadows where a park ambulance was waiting to transport him to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson.
While rangers were in the midst of the Laing rescue, they received a request from Teton County Search and Rescue to assist with another injured hiker in Alaska Basin. Rangers remobilized and flew to Sunset Lake where they met Joanne Demay, age 66, from Salem, Oregon who had sustained a leg injury and was unable to hike out. Grand Teton rangers along with Teton County Search and Rescue personnel decided it would be most efficient to fly out Demay rather than perform a challenging and lengthy 16-mile evacuation by wheeled-litter, putting rescuers and the patient at risk for potential injury.
Rangers remind hikers and climbers that dangerous and variable snow conditions persist above 9,500 feet. Backcountry users are advised to stop in or call a visitor center or ranger station on the day of travel to obtain the most current trail, route and snow conditions. Climbers should also note that most climbing accidents involve slips on snow, and most occur on the descent at the end of the day.
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Grand Teton National Park rangers rescued an injured hiker from Paintbrush Canyon on Sunday evening, July 18, using the Teton Interagency contract helicopter. John Stewart Laing, age 48, from Peyton, Colorado was hiking near the 10,720-foot elevation Paintbrush Divide when he slid about 30 feet after the snow he was walking across collapsed. Laing then somersaulted down a talus slope another 70 to 100 feet and sustained a serious leg injury. Laing had an ice axe, but fell onto his back and was unable to self arrest.
Laing and his brother were on the second day of an overnight backpacking trip, hiking the Paintbrush-Cascade Canyon loop trail. The men were approaching the top of the east side of the divide when the incident occurred just before 2 p.m.
Laing’s brother, with the help of two hikers, stabilized the leg injury before running down Paintbrush Canyon until he was able to call for help on a cell phone. Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received the report around 3 p.m. and immediately initiated a rescue response.
Rangers conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight to locate Laing before dropping off two rangers on a snowfield near the top of the divide at about 4:20 p.m. Rangers hiked a short distance to the accident site, approximately 200 feet below the Paintbrush Divide summit, and provided Laing with emergency medical care before placing him into a rescue litter for aerial evacuation. Just after 6 p.m., Laing was flown via short-haul to the same snowfield at the top of Paintbrush Divide where the two rangers had been dropped off earlier; three additional rangers were stationed at the snowfield and waiting to receive the litter. Laing was then placed inside of the helicopter for a flight down to Lupine Meadows where a park ambulance was waiting to transport him to St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson.
While rangers were in the midst of the Laing rescue, they received a request from Teton County Search and Rescue to assist with another injured hiker in Alaska Basin. Rangers remobilized and flew to Sunset Lake where they met Joanne Demay, age 66, from Salem, Oregon who had sustained a leg injury and was unable to hike out. Grand Teton rangers along with Teton County Search and Rescue personnel decided it would be most efficient to fly out Demay rather than perform a challenging and lengthy 16-mile evacuation by wheeled-litter, putting rescuers and the patient at risk for potential injury.
Rangers remind hikers and climbers that dangerous and variable snow conditions persist above 9,500 feet. Backcountry users are advised to stop in or call a visitor center or ranger station on the day of travel to obtain the most current trail, route and snow conditions. Climbers should also note that most climbing accidents involve slips on snow, and most occur on the descent at the end of the day.
Cathedral Group Fire 100 Percent Contained
Firefighters work to cool hot spots, an especially challenging
task throughout the rocky boulder fields
July 18, 2010
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The Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park was declared 100 percent contained at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 17. Fire crews completed a firebreak around the fire Saturday while suppressing hot spots in the interior of the fire and along the fire’s northeast flank. With more accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping the fire was listed at 46 acres in size.
Today, approximately 40 firefighters will continue to work toward control of the Cathedral Group Fire. Fire crews will patrol the 1.2 mile long perimeter of the fire to reinforce fire lines and cool down any hot spots. A Teton Interagency helicopter is available today for backhaul missions as crews begin to pull lateral hose lines and other materials off the fire.
Firefighters laid 13,500 feet of hose during their efforts to suppress the fire, which was burning in a boulder field that made digging traditional fireline to mineral soil next to impossible.
The Cathedral Group turnout and the Boulder City off-trail area remain closed.
The fire is presumed to be human caused and is still under investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Boulder City area on Tuesday evening—and can provide information about this fire—is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630
Firefighters first responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening, July 13. Full suppression efforts have been ongoing since that time.
The current fire danger rating is moderate. As the fire season progresses, fire managers remind area residents and visitors to make sure campfires are cold to the touch before leaving them, and to properly extinguish smoking materials in ash trays or bare mineral soil. For additional fire information and prevention tips, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
Cathedral Group Fire 95 Percent Contained
July 17, 2010
The Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park is 95 percent contained and holding at just over 40 acres in size as of this morning, July 17. Approximately 50 firefighters will continue to work on hot spots today, and are optimistic they will have the fire fully contained by the end of the day. A Teton Interagency helicopter will be supporting the fire today and any new fire starts in the park or the forest.
The only closures in affect are the Cathedral Group turnout and the Boulder City off-trail area.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is still under investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Boulder City area on Tuesday evening—and can provide information about this fire—is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630
Firefighters first responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening, July 13. Full suppression efforts have been ongoing since that time.
The current fire danger rating is moderate. As the fire season progresses, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
Cathedral Group Fire 70 Percent Contained
Firefighters continue to mop up hot spots and
establish fire lines on the northeast and east flanks of the fire
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The Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park saw little activity on Thursday, July 15. The fire remains at slightly over 40 acres in size and is 70 percent contained as of this morning, July 16. Approximately 60 firefighters will work on hot spots throughout the day, and continue to complete a fire line along the northeast and east flanks of the fire. Work on these flanks is difficult due to the rocky terrain of the Boulder City climbing area.
The only closures in affect are the Cathedral Group turnout and the Boulder City off-trail area.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is still under investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Boulder City area on Tuesday evening—and can provide information about this fire—is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630
Firefighters first responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening, July 13. Full suppression efforts have been ongoing since that time.
The current fire danger rating is moderate. As the fire season progresses, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
Rangers Assist with Rescue of a Hiker in the Wind River Range
July 16, 2010
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Grand Teton National Park rangers assisted with the rescue of an injured hiker from the upper and lower Ross Lakes area in Wyoming’s Wind River Range on July 14. Rangers responded to help with the evacuation of the injured man at the request of Fremont County Search and Rescue. Four rangers, along with a Teton interagency contract helicopter and pilot, completed their mission at about 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon.
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 13, a hiker in the Wind River Range sustained a serious leg injury and was unable to continue hiking out of the remote backcountry area. The man’s father and another hiking partner splinted his injured leg and hiked out to summon help. Late that afternoon, members of a Fremont County Search and Rescue team hiked into the Ross Lakes area, administered emergency medical care, and evaluated options for rescue. Due to the remoteness and complexity of the terrain, rescue personnel determined that an aerial evacuation would be necessary, so they initiated a call for assistance from Grand Teton rangers. Coincidently, a Teton interagency contract helicopter was grounded at the Lander Airport because of high afternoon winds, so a ship was available, but not able to fly. As a consequence, the Fremont County rescue team spent the night in the backcountry with the injured man and made plans for a helicopter extrication the following day.
On the morning of July 14, four Grand Teton rangers drove to the Dubois Airport to rendezvous with the interagency ship and begin a helicopter-assisted rescue mission. One ranger was inserted via short-haul near the injured hiker, and he placed the patient into an evacuation suit for an aerial lift to a more appropriate landing spot. The park ranger flew in tandem with the hiker to a landing spot where the injured man could then be placed inside the aircraft for a longer flight to the Whiskey Basin trailhead and a waiting ambulance. The helicopter returned to the backcountry location to pick up the other three rangers and return them to the Dubois Airport.
“We readily respond to mutual aid requests from other federal and state agencies across the region, and the expertise and training of our park rangers is definitely an asset that we are willing to share whenever circumstances arise—such as this Wind River rescue,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. “Our rangers were glad to be of service for this rescue mission, and we all hope that the hiker has a speedy recovery.”
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Grand Teton National Park rangers assisted with the rescue of an injured hiker from the upper and lower Ross Lakes area in Wyoming’s Wind River Range on July 14. Rangers responded to help with the evacuation of the injured man at the request of Fremont County Search and Rescue. Four rangers, along with a Teton interagency contract helicopter and pilot, completed their mission at about 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon.
During the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 13, a hiker in the Wind River Range sustained a serious leg injury and was unable to continue hiking out of the remote backcountry area. The man’s father and another hiking partner splinted his injured leg and hiked out to summon help. Late that afternoon, members of a Fremont County Search and Rescue team hiked into the Ross Lakes area, administered emergency medical care, and evaluated options for rescue. Due to the remoteness and complexity of the terrain, rescue personnel determined that an aerial evacuation would be necessary, so they initiated a call for assistance from Grand Teton rangers. Coincidently, a Teton interagency contract helicopter was grounded at the Lander Airport because of high afternoon winds, so a ship was available, but not able to fly. As a consequence, the Fremont County rescue team spent the night in the backcountry with the injured man and made plans for a helicopter extrication the following day.
On the morning of July 14, four Grand Teton rangers drove to the Dubois Airport to rendezvous with the interagency ship and begin a helicopter-assisted rescue mission. One ranger was inserted via short-haul near the injured hiker, and he placed the patient into an evacuation suit for an aerial lift to a more appropriate landing spot. The park ranger flew in tandem with the hiker to a landing spot where the injured man could then be placed inside the aircraft for a longer flight to the Whiskey Basin trailhead and a waiting ambulance. The helicopter returned to the backcountry location to pick up the other three rangers and return them to the Dubois Airport.
“We readily respond to mutual aid requests from other federal and state agencies across the region, and the expertise and training of our park rangers is definitely an asset that we are willing to share whenever circumstances arise—such as this Wind River rescue,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. “Our rangers were glad to be of service for this rescue mission, and we all hope that the hiker has a speedy recovery.”
Road Construction Update for July- September
July 16, 2010
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Road work is underway at several locations in Grand Teton National Park. Work includes a chip seal project on Highway 89/287 that spans from the Snake River Bridge near Flagg Ranch Resort to Sargent’s Bay picnic area—approximately one mile north of Leek’s Marina. Delays of 15-30 minutes may be encountered through this project area from July 19 through July 22; however, roadwork schedules may change or be delayed due to weather, equipment malfunction, or other extenuating circumstances.
Significant work continues on the Teton Park Road from the
junction for the Spalding Bay Road to Jackson Lake Junction on Highway 89/287 as an asphalt overlay project proceeds. Expect delays up to 30 minutes on weekdays from now through late September.
Beginning Monday, July 19, crews will be painting the Snake River Bridge near park headquarters at Moose. This project may cause
15 minute delays on the Teton Park Road near the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center through mid-August.
Starting September 1, and lasting through early November, the Pacific Creek Road south of Two Ocean Lake Road will experience
30 minute delays during weekdays, as this road gets stabilized and widened near a bend of Pacific Creek. The road will also be closed to traffic on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents in the Pacific Creek area are being notified to plan for this daily closure.
For road construction updates throughout the summer, phone the road information hotline at 307.739.3614.
For park information or additional road updates, call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399 or the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594.
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Road work is underway at several locations in Grand Teton National Park. Work includes a chip seal project on Highway 89/287 that spans from the Snake River Bridge near Flagg Ranch Resort to Sargent’s Bay picnic area—approximately one mile north of Leek’s Marina. Delays of 15-30 minutes may be encountered through this project area from July 19 through July 22; however, roadwork schedules may change or be delayed due to weather, equipment malfunction, or other extenuating circumstances.
Significant work continues on the Teton Park Road from the
junction for the Spalding Bay Road to Jackson Lake Junction on Highway 89/287 as an asphalt overlay project proceeds. Expect delays up to 30 minutes on weekdays from now through late September.
Beginning Monday, July 19, crews will be painting the Snake River Bridge near park headquarters at Moose. This project may cause
15 minute delays on the Teton Park Road near the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center through mid-August.
Starting September 1, and lasting through early November, the Pacific Creek Road south of Two Ocean Lake Road will experience
30 minute delays during weekdays, as this road gets stabilized and widened near a bend of Pacific Creek. The road will also be closed to traffic on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents in the Pacific Creek area are being notified to plan for this daily closure.
For road construction updates throughout the summer, phone the road information hotline at 307.739.3614.
For park information or additional road updates, call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399 or the Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594.
Cathedral Group Fire 50 Percent Contained
Teton interagency firefighters lay hose lines
and dig fire breaks around the Cathedral Group Fire
July 15, 201010-49
The Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton National Park is 50 percent contained, and firefighters are making good progress toward complete suppression. Personnel recently mapped the fire with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device at 40 acres.
The fire continues to burn in a mixed conifer and aspen forest about a quarter mile north of the Cathedral Group turnout on the Jenny Lake scenic loop road. Yesterday, July 14, the fire was moving north toward the 2009 Bearpaw Bay Fire.
The west flank of the fire is contained, allowing for trail and campsite closures to be lifted. The only closures in place today include the Cathedral Group turnout—which is being used for staging of fire and helicopter operations—and the Boulder City off-trail area. All hiking trails, backcountry campsites and park roads are open to public use.
Today, a Teton interagency contract helicopter, two fire engines and a hand crew will continue suppression activities. In addition to the interagency fire personnel, a 20-person Type-2 crew from Island Park, Idaho—the Centennial Crew—are supporting operations, which brings the number of firefighters to approximately 60. On Wednesday, fire crew members established hand lines around the western and northwestern flank of the fire. Firefighters also established a network of hose lines, using several small ponds in the Boulder City area as sources for pumping water to hot spots.
Firefighters responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening and used both a fire engine and crew, and a contract helicopter based out of Swan Valley, Idaho with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, to conduct suppression efforts during the evening hours.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of an off-trail area called Boulder City, and who can provide information about this fire, is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630
The current fire danger rating is moderate. With the arrival of the fire season, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
Cathedral Group Fire in Grand Teton NP
July 14, 2010
10-48
Teton interagency firefighters responded to several reports of a fire late yesterday afternoon, July 13, in Grand Teton National Park. The Cathedral Group Fire—which began about 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday—is currently 12 acres in size and burning in a mixed conifer forest about a quarter mile north of the Cathedral Group turnout on the Jenny Lake scenic loop road. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of an off-trail area called Boulder City, and who can provide information about this fire, is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630.
Firefighters responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening and used both a fire engine and crew, and a contract helicopter based out of Swan Valley, Idaho with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to conduct suppression efforts during the evening hours. Yesterday’s weather in Jackson Hole included 50 mph wind gusts and 9% relative humidity. Today, two fire engines, one hand crew, and the Swan Valley helicopter will continue suppression activities.
The Cathedral Group Fire is burning in an area flanked by a boulder ridge to its eastern side, a sagebrush meadow on the south, and a mixed lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest to the north and west. The fire lies just south of, and relatively close to, the Bearpaw Bay Fire of 2009.
No trails or backcountry campsites have been closed at this time; however the portage of boats from String Lake to Leigh Lake will be temporarily suspended for safety considerations; the Cathedral Group turnout is also closed.
The current fire danger rating is moderate. With the arrival of the fire season, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
10-48
Teton interagency firefighters responded to several reports of a fire late yesterday afternoon, July 13, in Grand Teton National Park. The Cathedral Group Fire—which began about 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday—is currently 12 acres in size and burning in a mixed conifer forest about a quarter mile north of the Cathedral Group turnout on the Jenny Lake scenic loop road. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of an off-trail area called Boulder City, and who can provide information about this fire, is requested to phone the Teton interagency fire-reporting line at 307.739.3630.
Firefighters responded to the Cathedral Group Fire on Tuesday evening and used both a fire engine and crew, and a contract helicopter based out of Swan Valley, Idaho with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to conduct suppression efforts during the evening hours. Yesterday’s weather in Jackson Hole included 50 mph wind gusts and 9% relative humidity. Today, two fire engines, one hand crew, and the Swan Valley helicopter will continue suppression activities.
The Cathedral Group Fire is burning in an area flanked by a boulder ridge to its eastern side, a sagebrush meadow on the south, and a mixed lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest to the north and west. The fire lies just south of, and relatively close to, the Bearpaw Bay Fire of 2009.
No trails or backcountry campsites have been closed at this time; however the portage of boats from String Lake to Leigh Lake will be temporarily suspended for safety considerations; the Cathedral Group turnout is also closed.
The current fire danger rating is moderate. With the arrival of the fire season, area residents and visitors are requested to report any fire or smoke by calling 307.739.3630. For additional fire information, please visit www.tetonfires.com.
Rangers Recover Drift Boat from Snake River
July 12, 2010
10-47
Grand Teton National Park rangers recovered an aluminum Hyde drift boat from the Snake River on Sunday, July 11—a day after the boat capsized and sank. At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call from a party who reported that their drift boat had capsized on the Snake River just below the historic Bar BC Ranch area, about three miles north of the Moose landing. Dan Mei and James Fisher of Jackson, Wyoming and their guest, Joseph Keller, were fishing while floating between Deadmans Bar and Moose when the boat was pulled by the current toward an uprooted tree midstream. The boat operator did not have enough time to correct his course before the boat got caught in the tree and began to capsize.
All three men attempted to “high side” the boat and prevent it from taking on water, but were unsuccessful. None of the three boaters was wearing a life vest at the time of accident; however, they were all able to get out of the river on the east bank, uninjured. A commercial scenic float company saw the boaters on the riverbank and picked them up. The commercial operator then shuttled them to Moose, where park rangers met the party.
The drift boat sat about seven feet under water and had shifted a few hundred yards down river from the original accident site by Sunday when park rangers began their salvage operation. Rangers anchored a pulley system to a very large fallen tree on a gravel bar and tied a rope to one side of the boat, then used a complex system of pulleys, ropes and webbing to move and flip the boat upright. Rangers used a 3 to 1 system called a “Z drag” to move the boat closer to the bank. From there, they used a come-a-long system involving webbing, cable and ropes to right the boat in shallower water. The Hyde boat remained largely intact after its salvage from the river.
This is the second major accident on the Snake River in the park this season. Rangers remind river users that the Snake is a powerful river with strong currents and cold water temperatures. Due to its tangle of channels and constantly shifting logjams and downed trees, boaters are advised to have proper equipment—as well as knowledge and experience—to accurately read the river’s current and navigate away from natural obstructions in the streambed.
Boaters are required to have certified personal flotation devices for all persons aboard the watercraft and to obtain appropriate boat permits. For those unfamiliar with the river, a pre-float consultation with rangers is strongly advised.
River users are also reminded that it is prohibited to remove or take an abandoned boat from the Snake River, or to keep any personal property items found in the river or along its banks. Such items should be immediately turned in to a park visitor center or ranger station.
10-47
Grand Teton National Park rangers recovered an aluminum Hyde drift boat from the Snake River on Sunday, July 11—a day after the boat capsized and sank. At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, the Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call from a party who reported that their drift boat had capsized on the Snake River just below the historic Bar BC Ranch area, about three miles north of the Moose landing. Dan Mei and James Fisher of Jackson, Wyoming and their guest, Joseph Keller, were fishing while floating between Deadmans Bar and Moose when the boat was pulled by the current toward an uprooted tree midstream. The boat operator did not have enough time to correct his course before the boat got caught in the tree and began to capsize.
All three men attempted to “high side” the boat and prevent it from taking on water, but were unsuccessful. None of the three boaters was wearing a life vest at the time of accident; however, they were all able to get out of the river on the east bank, uninjured. A commercial scenic float company saw the boaters on the riverbank and picked them up. The commercial operator then shuttled them to Moose, where park rangers met the party.
The drift boat sat about seven feet under water and had shifted a few hundred yards down river from the original accident site by Sunday when park rangers began their salvage operation. Rangers anchored a pulley system to a very large fallen tree on a gravel bar and tied a rope to one side of the boat, then used a complex system of pulleys, ropes and webbing to move and flip the boat upright. Rangers used a 3 to 1 system called a “Z drag” to move the boat closer to the bank. From there, they used a come-a-long system involving webbing, cable and ropes to right the boat in shallower water. The Hyde boat remained largely intact after its salvage from the river.
This is the second major accident on the Snake River in the park this season. Rangers remind river users that the Snake is a powerful river with strong currents and cold water temperatures. Due to its tangle of channels and constantly shifting logjams and downed trees, boaters are advised to have proper equipment—as well as knowledge and experience—to accurately read the river’s current and navigate away from natural obstructions in the streambed.
Boaters are required to have certified personal flotation devices for all persons aboard the watercraft and to obtain appropriate boat permits. For those unfamiliar with the river, a pre-float consultation with rangers is strongly advised.
River users are also reminded that it is prohibited to remove or take an abandoned boat from the Snake River, or to keep any personal property items found in the river or along its banks. Such items should be immediately turned in to a park visitor center or ranger station.
LSR Preserve to Host Book Club Discussion
July 9, 2010
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The staff at the Laurance S. Rockefeller (LSR) Preserve extends an invitation to local residents and visitors to join an upcoming LSR book club discussion of American Primitive, a collection of poems by Mary Oliver and the 1984 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The book club discussion will take place on Thursday, July 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at the LSR Preserve Center on the Moose-Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park. The book discussion will be followed by a short hike on the Preserve.
In an effort to inspire a spirit of conversation stewardship, the LSR Preserve book club was created in the summer of 2009 and designed to explore literature that examines our connection to the natural world. This will be the sixth LSR Preserve book club discussion.
Mary Oliver’s poetry has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and a Lannan Literary Award. Her first collection of poems, No Voyage, and Other Poems, was published in 1963. Since then, Oliver has published numerous books, including Why I Wake Early: New Poems, Thirst: Poems, West Wind: Poems and Prose Poems, and House of Light. Her books of prose include Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse, and A Poetry Handbook.
Oliver’s writing is well known for its clear and poignant observations where her central themes focus on place and the intersection between the human and natural worlds. Literary critics have compared her work to that of great American lyric poets and celebrators of nature such as Walt Whitman, John Muir, and Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Space is limited and participants are required to sign up in advance. To sign up for the book club discussion or learn more about this event, please call the LSR Preserve at 307.739.3654.
Rangers Rescue Two Boaters on the Snake River
Upper Snake River was designated as a Wild & Scenic River in 2009
July 1, 2010
10-45
Grand Teton National Park rangers rescued two local men from the Snake River after their fiberglass drift boat capsized when it hit an uprooted tree that was recently lodged in the stream. The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, June 29, about one mile south of the Bar BC Ranch area. Brothers Doug and Kelly Ward, both residents of Moran, Wyoming, launched their craft from Pacific Creek Landing and floated the Snake without incident until they encountered the midstream obstruction; they were apparently unable to avoid the uprooted tree due to the swift current. The two men were uninjured and able to swim safely to shore; neither was wearing a life vest at the time of the accident.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call reporting the accident at 2:45 p.m. and rangers later located the men who were safe but stranded on the riverbank near the accident site. Rangers then floated the two men down river to the Moose Landing.
This is the first major accident on a reach of the Snake River in the park this season, and rangers remind river users that the Snake is a powerful river with strong currents and cold water temperatures. Due to its tangle of channels and constantly shifting logjams and downed trees, boaters are advised to have the proper equipment—as well as the knowledge and experience—to accurately read the river’s current and navigate away from natural obstructions in the streambed.
Boaters are required to have certified personal floatation devices for all persons aboard the watercraft and to obtain appropriate boat permits. For those unfamiliar with the Snake River, a pre-float consultation with rangers is strongly advised.
River users are also reminded that it is prohibited to remove or take an abandoned boat from the Snake River, or to keep any personal property items found in the river or along its banks. Such items should be immediately turned in to a park visitor center or ranger station.
As a reminder, park visitors are required by law to immediately report any collision, accident, fire or other incident that results in property loss, property damage, personal injury or death—whether on the river, on park roads, or in the backcountry.
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