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bluedigger

(17,086 posts) Fri Jun 22, 2012, 03:08 PM Jun 2012

Mount Rainier ranger killed in climbers' rescue

Source: Associated Press

SEATTLE — Authorities at Mount Rainier National Park faced the grim task Friday of recovering the body of one of their own rangers who slid more than 3,000 feet to his death while helping rescue a climbing party.

Nick Hall, 33, died Thursday as he was helping evacuate climbers from a crevasse by helicopter near the summit of the 14,411-foot mountain.

The Chinook helicopter from Joint Base Lewis-McChord removed three of the four climbers from Waco, Texas. Four rangers stayed overnight with the fourth person, who will be walking down later Friday.

Park spokesman Kevin Bacher said six rangers went to recover Hall's body, but that could take several days if the helicopter can't fly. Rain was falling at Longmire, and the National Weather Service said it was snowing above 10,000 feet, the level where Hall landed after the 3,000-foot slide.

Read more: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/nation/2012/06/22/mount-rainier-ranger-killed-climbers-rescue/1214292

Nick was the second ranger at Mt. Ranier NP to lose their life in the line of duty this year.

Much more at link.

10 replies

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Mount Rainier ranger killed in climbers' rescue (Original Post) bluedigger Jun 2012 OP

I've always thought risk takers should pay for their rescues Skittles Jun 2012 #1

People need to be rescued for many reasons. bluedigger Jun 2012 #2

It is extremely sad to learn of a park ranger's death. Search and Rescue byeya Jun 2012 #3

SAR rangers are some of the bravest, most heroic people in the world jmondine Jun 2012 #4

This is so sad an hits too close to home. revolution breeze Jun 2012 #5

Risky outings are a luxury of wealthy cultures. roody Jun 2012 #6

And a necessity of poor ones. Threedifferentones Jun 2012 #7

Yes, and which kind was this? The former, I should think. nt left coaster Jun 2012 #9

Damn, that's terrible. Poll_Blind Jun 2012 #8

From what I understand, the dead ranger was classed as a "seasonal" which means byeya Jun 2012 #10

Skittles

(153,169 posts)

1. I've always thought risk takers should pay for their rescues

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 03:45 PM

Jun 2012

these climbers will never be able to pay for this rescue

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)

2. People need to be rescued for many reasons.

Reply to Skittles (Reply #1)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 03:59 PM

Jun 2012

Colorado sells a Search & Rescue card $15/5 years that helps fund training and operating costs of search and rescue teams.

byeya

(2,842 posts)

3. It is extremely sad to learn of a park ranger's death. Search and Rescue

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 05:40 PM

Jun 2012

is a primary function of the profession and along with fire fighting and law enforcement, a dangerous one.
This is very sad for us.

jmondine

(1,649 posts)

4. SAR rangers are some of the bravest, most heroic people in the world

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 08:26 PM

Jun 2012

Rainier is notoriously treacherous, even for experienced climbers who don't make mistakes.

revolution breeze

(879 posts)

5. This is so sad an hits too close to home.

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 09:57 PM

Jun 2012

Daughter's boyfriend is a ranger at another park in Washington state, and it scare me how rangers put their lives on the line to save hikers.

roody

(10,849 posts)

6. Risky outings are a luxury of wealthy cultures.

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 10:59 PM

Jun 2012

Threedifferentones

(1,070 posts)

7. And a necessity of poor ones.

Reply to roody (Reply #6)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 09:41 AM

Jun 2012

left coaster

(1,093 posts)

9. Yes, and which kind was this? The former, I should think. nt

Reply to Threedifferentones (Reply #7)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 11:23 AM

Jun 2012

Poll_Blind

(23,864 posts)

8. Damn, that's terrible.

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 09:43 AM

Jun 2012

RIP, Mr. Hall.

PB

byeya

(2,842 posts)

10. From what I understand, the dead ranger was classed as a "seasonal" which means

Reply to bluedigger (Original post)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 04:09 PM

Jun 2012

he was working for no health insurance and no pension benefits.
The National Park Service routinely misuses the "seasonal" catagory when a worker should
be Subject-To-Furlough. STFs get pro rated health and pension benefits and that's the correct
catagory for positions that are needed year after year but for less than 12 months.

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