National Parks Traveler Episode 101: Searching For The Missing In National Parks

By Kurt Repanshek - January 17th, 2021

Each year, there are thousands of search-and-rescue incidents logged across the National Park System. They typically involve missing hikers, visitors who get injured in falls, boating accidents, or climbing accidents.

The Intermountain Region of the National Park Service – a large swath that runs from northern Montana to the Rio Grande River in Texas -- is the largest in the agency, and is home to many of the most beautiful, and dangerous, national parks. Yellowstone has boiling waters and grizzly bears, Grand Canyon has that deep canyon, and Rocky Mountain has alluring, and rugged, backcountry.

To learn more about search and rescue in general, and searches at Rocky Mountain National Park, we’ve reached out to Kyle Patterson, the park’s spokesperson, and Mike Lukens, a climbing ranger who often leads rescue missions in the park.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:15 Torch - Bill Mize - The Sounds of the Everglades
1:56 North Cascades Institute promotion
2:15 Wild Tribute promotion
2:45 Friends of Acadia promotion
3:14 A discussion around search-and-rescue operations at Rocky Mountain National Park.
17:56 Blue Mist - Randy Petersen - The Sounds of Shenandoah
18:10 National Parks Traveler promotion
18:24 Western National Park Association promotion
18:49 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
19:20 Washington’s National Park Fund promotion
19:55 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
20:26 Continuing a discussion of search-and-rescue efforts at Rocky Mountain National Park
38:55 No’Easter - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
39:23 Episode closing
40:09 Orange Tree Productions promotion
40:44 Splitbeard Productions
40:55 National Parks Traveler footer

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Submitted by wild places on January 21, 2021 - 9:48am.

Per your last question, as a once frequent and sometimes spontaneous solo backcountry traveler I often thought how nice it would be if I could leave a trip plan at a ranger station before venturing out. Cell service isn't always the best to be able to notify people upon your return and if you do leave it with someone else you are adding another layer of communication which always increases the potential for miscommunication. I am all for personal responsibility but having the option to leave a standardized trip plan with a return no later than date along with other info to help SAR if needed I think would be a great idea. I also get the reluctance for the park service to take on that responsibility and the other problems that might create.

Submitted by RodF on January 22, 2021 - 2:17pm.

Wilderness camping permits are required at Rocky Mountain NP and other large national parks. The permit includes the itinerary of campsites the visitor(s) intend to use each night (i.e. an itinerary of their intended route), as well as a deccription of their vehicle (to enable rangers to quickly determine if the vehicle is parked at a trailhead) and emergency contact information. "Overnight travel in the wilderness requires a permit." https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/wilderness-camping.htm

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