NORDIC PATROL

The Nordic Patrol finished out its season on April 15, 2012 on a high note to wrap up what had been one of our most challenging and emotionally demanding seasons.  Since announcing the extension of our season on Feb. 28, almost all the Patrol spots have been filled by the dedicated volunteers of WSTC.  The sixty-two members of WSTC who volunteered for Patrol this season made this happen and deserve a special thanks.

Our season started out in December with a well attended training session lead by Ranger Dan Camiccia with assistance from other Rangers including Margaret Anderson.  During the 2 week winter break, we only had a couple of days when no one was on Patrol and several Patrol groups enjoyed the Holidays in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Our low point came on January 1 with the loss of Ranger Margaret Anderson when a gunman killed her and Ranger Dan Camiccia narrowly escaped with his own life.  Along with the other members of the Park Community, Nordic Patrol members grieved and attended the Memorial Service at Pacific Lutheran University.

After the Jan. 1 incident, the Park Service put Nordic Patrol on an indefinite stand down along with some of the Law Enforcement Rangers. Many of our volunteers were upset and concerned when the Park would not let Nordic Patrol join the other volunteers who had returned to the Park. The Park seemed set on our stand down despite behind the scenes lobbying from both WSTC members (special thanks to Ginnie Miller) and supportive Park Service staff.

That changed on the evening of January 15 when I received an 8:30 pm phone call from the Park to organize a team to report to Longmire the next morning at 7 am to help search for a missing snowshoer.  Despite the short notice, WSTC members stepped up and eight of us showed up to assist the Park Service in the search.

On January 16, our main Nordic Patrol team searched Mazama Ridge while Lee Willcockson joined Ranger Jordan Mammel and two Crystal Mountain Ski Patrollers.  Ranger Mammel's team encountered two lost snowshoers (who had not been reported missing) and Lee was assigned to bring them back to the Jackson Visitor Center. Lee brought them back into our search area where WSTCs Ron Steingold and James Hamaker provided the cold couple with hot tea and warm gloves after they had spent two nights in snow caves.  Because of our efforts, Ranger Mammel's team was able to move on quickly and a few hours later would find Mr. Kim alive and well, who had been our original target for the search.

In recognition of our significant contribution to the search for Mr. Kim, the Park Service agreed to let Nordic Patrol resume operation with only the most experienced Patrollers the following weekend.  The Patrol operated independently for a few weekends without a Park liason and then we were able to resume normal operations when Ranger Dan Camiccia returned as our liason in February.

Though the Longmire to Paradise Road had frequent closures in February and early March, our volunteers turned out to fill up the Longmire House almost every weekend and overall had a good time setting poles, making visitor contacts, and getting out for some great skiing.

We put in 1,293 volunteer hours on Patrol, just short  by 123 hours from the previous season. We also had 62 volunteers participate on patrol and in our training, which is nine more than in 2010-11.  Given all that happened this year, I think we can be proud of the contribution WSTC has made to Mount Rainier National Park.  This would not be possible without our WSTC members and you deserve a big thank you for our successful year.

Thank you again and again.

Phil Hertzog

Nordic Patrol Coordinator

WELCOME
The Washington Ski Touring Club is a Seattle-based, recreation-oriented club of about 360 members who organize nordic classic, skate, telemark, and backcountry touring ski trips.  We also have a monthly meeting with interesting programs on equipment, tours, weather, ski destinations, etc. (October to May).

We love to ski and encourage you to join us!  Our monthly meetings and potluck events are open to all. However, much of our website such as Multi-Day Trips, Discussion Forums, Nordic Patrol,  Weekend Weather forecasts, and our Newsletter are open only to Members.