Search-and-rescue operations in national parks numerous and costly, but effective

A new report that appears in the online journal "Wilderness & Environmental Medicine" includes some interesting statistics involving search-and-rescue operations in national parks.

Notably, they're costly and numerous, but effective. "Without the presence of NPS personnel responding to SAR incidents, one in five of those requesting SAR assistance would be a fatality," the report concludes. "Future research and the development of any prevention efforts should focus on the five NPS units where 50% of all SAR incidents are occurring."

The report, published by the Wilderness Medical Society, has a catchy title: "Dead Men Walking: Search and Rescue in U.S. National Parks." Its authors looked at the NPS' annual search-and-rescue reports from 1992 to 2007 and SAR statistics from all NPS units in 2005. Some key findings:

--From 1992 to 2007 there were 78,488 people involved in 65,439 SAR incidents. These included 2,659 fatalities, 24,288 injured or sick people, and 13,212 "saves," or saved lives.

--On average there were 11.2 SAR incidents per day at an average cost of $895 per operation. Total cost from 1992 to 2007: $58,572,164.

--In 2005, 50% of the 2,430 SAR operations occurred in five NPS units. Grand Canyon National Park (307) and Gateway National Recreation Area (293) reported the most. Yosemite National Park (231) was third.

--In 2005, Yosemite accounted for 25% of the total NPS SAR costs ($1.2 million); Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve ($29,310) and Denali National Park and Preserve ($18,345) had the highest average SAR costs.

--Hiking (48%) and boating (21%) were the most common activities that required search-and-rescue assistance. Hiking (22.8%) was the most common activity resulting in fatalities. Suicides (12.1%) were second. They were followed by swimming and boating (10.1% apiece).

Perhaps all of this will serve as a reminder to be extra careful while exploring our great national parks and to be thankful that there are emergency teams close by if we need them.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: View of the Grand Canyon at sunrise. Credit: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times

Half Dome cables at Yosemite have been removed for the season

The season is definitely changing at Yosemite National Park, where the Half Dome cables have been removed for the season, and where snow and ice are causing temporary road closures.

The cables, which enable hikers to summit the majestic granite dome, are taken down each fall and replaced in the spring. Hikers are strongly cautioned against attempting to scale Half Dome while the cables are down.

Meanwhile wintry weather has led to the closure of Glacier Point and Tioga roads. An evaluation will be made after the weather system passes to determine when they will reopen.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Robert Trepte climbs the cable ladder up the side of Yosemite's Half Dome in July. Credit: Scott Ouellette

Angeles Crest Highway drive reveals moonscape in wake of Station fire

*Updated to reflect it was an Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department escort

Scorched earth is a depressing sight, especially when it had been lush with chaparral and old-growth forest.

The extent of the devastation caused by the Station fire, which has burned almost 250 square miles within the Angeles National Forest but finally is close to being contained, will be unfathomable when assessments are made.

Dead animals are said to litter the blackened and barren countryside. Rattlesnakes -- those that had burrowed and somehow survived the inferno -- slither across a moonscape hunted from the sky by raptors.

Campgrounds and important structures have been destroyed and trails are ruined. A once-verdant paradise is lost for who knows how many years to thousands of campers, hikers, bikers, runners, birders and horseback riders.

The Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run had been scheduled to begin Saturday. Obviously it has been canceled as its route is off-limits.

The scenic Angeles Crest Highway also remains closed, but a video shot by a couple touring the road behind a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. escort is making the rounds on YouTube. It reveals a charred countryside, melted road signs and guard rails that simply lie atop or alongside the pavement, their wooden support beams burned to ashes.

If you're familiar with the highway and forest, click on the video and tag along. It's a surreal odyssey, to be sure.

-- Pete Thomas

Video credit: Courtesy of YouTube

   

Yosemite road closures in effect through Labor Day because of Big Meadow fire

Outdoor enthusiasts planning to head to Yosemite National Park for the Labor Day holiday weekend should keep in mind that road closures due to the Big Meadow fire will be in effect until further notice.

Big Oak Flat Road remains closed to through traffic at the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station to the junction of El Portal Road. Tioga Road is also closed from White Wolf to the Crane Flat Gas Station.

All park campgrounds are open with the exception of Crane Flat and Tamarack Flat campgrounds, and the community of Foresta is still evacuated.

Those going to the Strawberry Music Festival taking place at Camp Mather near Yosemite may also be affected by these closures.

Many other areas of Yosemite are accessible and unaffected by the wildfire, which has been burning for over a week. As of this morning, the fire has consumed 7,240 acres and is now 70% contained.

For updated fire information, visit www.inciweb.org or call (209) 372-0327, (209) 372-0480, or (209) 372-0669 daily during business hours.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: The Big Meadow fire as viewed last Thursday from Tioga Road. Credit:  Kip Evans /  ©KipEvansPhotography.com

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Yosemite National Park employee perishes in climbing accident

Jeff Maurer, a biologist who worked for Yosemite National Park, died Sunday as a result of a climbing accident, the park announced Tuesday. He was 47.

Maurer fell while attempting to climb the Third Pillar, a difficult rock-climbing route on Mount Dana. He had worked at Yosemite for three years and before that was an employee at the Yosemite Institute. He also taught at UC Davis and was involved in numerous research projects.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident," Dave Uberuaga, acting park superintendent, said in a news release. "This is a huge loss to  the Yosemite National Park and National Park Service family.  Our deepest condolences go out to Jeff’s loved ones."

Funeral arrangements are pending. Condolences to the family can be sent to:

The Maurer Family, c/o Peter Maurer, 3460 Coon Hollow Rd., Placerville, Calif., 95667

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Jeff Maurer sits atop Stately Pleasure Dome in Tuolumne Meadows within Yosemite National Park. Credit: Colleen Kamoroff

Climbing icon John Bachar dies after apparent Mammoth Lakes fall

The climbing community mourns the death of free-soloing legend John Bachar, who died Sunday afternoon after an apparent fall at Dike Wall near his home in Mammoth Lakes.

Details are sketchy and Outposts will update this item as more becomes known. Bachar, who was born in 1957, was famous largely for his accomplishments on difficult routes within Yosemite National Park.

He is survived by a young son named Tyrus.

On John's website is this passage:

"A true rock star as a teenager, Bachar soloed 5.11 when 5.12 did not yet exist ... then he did the first 5.12 in Yosemite Valley, bouldered even harder, climbed stronger than anyone. He refused to compromise his strong traditional style 'ground-up' ethics along the way."

Also posted are these respectful accolades:

--John Long: "There has never been anyone like John Bachar, and there never will be again."

--Peter Croft: "Yosemite was THE place, Bachar was THE guy, that makes him more than just a climber."

--Rob Robinson: "John Bachar was unquestionably the greatest climber of our generation."

Below is a vintage video clip of John at work--very dangerous work.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: John Bachar climbs Yosemite's Midnight Lightning in a photo that appeared in Climbing magazine. Credit: Phil Bard

In wake of Half Dome tragedy, should cables come down?

Monday's report on the death of Manoj Kumar, who slipped and fell 200 feet as he was descending the cables on Half Dome, stirred robust debate.

Some people merely commented on what a wonderful experience it is to achieve the summit of the massive granite shoulder in Yosemite National Park. Others discussed the care required of those who wish to make the daylong climb safely.

Then there were those who strongly suggested the laddered cable system should come down, or argued that the cables should remain in place.

As one who has never climbed Half Dome but hopes to someday, I believe they should remain. This is not because of selfishness and I mean no disrespect to Kumar, his family or friends.

They ought to remain because they provide a reasonably safe means by which careful hikers can conquer a truly majestic landmark within a spectacular wilderness setting.

There is risk, but also reward and presumably a feeling of major accomplishment among park visitors, young and old, who complete the marathon hike and climb.