Volunteer Heroes

While the tasks generally assigned to Nordic Patrol are preventative in nature, this last winter members were presented with a more challenging and emotionally difficult season. Coordinated by the Washington Sky Touring Club, Nordic Patrol's duties normally include those of setting trail poles and making visitor contacts, working hand in hand with Law Enforcement Rangers to ensure Park visitors a safe experience. However, sometimes things go wrong despite our best efforts to prevent them.

Following Ranger Margaret Anderson's death, Nordic Patrol members were placed on stand-down for two weeks. Then on January 15, they were recalled to assist in a search for a missing snowshoer. They found not one but two who had not been reported missing! After spending two nights in a snow cave, the pair was escorted back to the safety and warmth of Jackson Visitor Center. The gentleman who was the object of the original search was later found alive and well, and Nordic Patrol returned to normal operations in February.