Crater ski patrol launches effort for new ski signs
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
February 20, 2004
By LEE JUILLERAT
Cross country skiers finding their way around the backcountry at Crater Lake National Park are getting some help.
Members of the park’s ski patrol are installing new metal signs. Some are replacements for worn-out wooden signs – “They’re starting to turn into firewood,” said Niel Barrett, a long-time ski patrol member – and some are totally new directional signs.
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| This sign, being held by a member of Crater Lake National Park’s ski patrol, is an example of the signs the patrol is installing. The patrol is looking for financial help to do so. |
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A total of 33 signs are being installed by ski patrol members, who for decades have spent winter weekends and holidays handling multiple tasks in the park’s snowy backcountry. Although patrol members – who wear distinctive red jackets – are most visible when skiing on popular trails along Rim Drive, they also handle many work projects and are trained in avalanche control, rescues and emergency assistance.
Earlier this month, they helped rescue a woman who was injured while skiing the Dutton trail near Rim Village. It took team members four hours to help evacuate her. She was not seriously injured, but was unable to ski.
Barrett said the patrol’s 51 members decided to take on the task of designing, buying and installing directional and informational signs.
The cost for the 33 signs is $2,400, and volunteer ski patrol members have raised more than $1,000. Now they’re hoping to rally support – and cash – from individuals and corporate sponsors.
“We went to the ski patrol and now we’re also going out to the community,” said Barrett. “We’re working for the park, but we’re a separate entity.”
The new metal signs, which are expected to last longer than wooden signs, provide directional information at trailheads and junctions. New are signs reminding snowshoers, walkers and snowboarders not to use cross country ski tracks. Also new are signs marking an alternate route around an avalanche area on East Rim Drive near the Crater Butte junction.
Patrol members also hope to raise enough money to buy replacement signs, in case signs are damaged.
Most signs will be installed seasonally, but signs in more distant, difficult-to-access areas are being placed on year-round posts and poles. The signs are being installed as they are manufactured.
People and organizations willing to donate or wanting more information can contact Klamath Falls ski patrol member J.T. Hummel at 273-9286 or by e-mail at jhummel@ncelec.com
Other pages in this section
- Editorial: Rim Village to get new look, and it’s about time – November 26, 2004
- Pendleton creates online blanket special for Crater Lake Trust – November 23, 2004
- Crater Lake to get funds – November 22, 2004
- Falling trees do damage at Crater Lake – November 19, 2004
- Lost at the lake – November 17, 2004
- Crews find lost snowboarders – November 16, 2004
- Missing snowboarders found – November 16, 2004
- Vesta Lee Fulton – November 15, 2004
- Obituary: Kevin Palmer – November 4, 2004
- Officials hold dedication for 500-mile scenic byway – October 15, 2004
- Byway hits milestone: celebration of Volcanic Legacy All American Road planned for Thursday – October 12, 2004
- Conference to celebrate frontier poet – September 24, 2004
- Two hikes, two views – September 20, 2004
- Science, learning center part of park renovation – September 14, 2004
- Crater Lake holds status as area’s primary tourist draw – September 13, 2004
- Obituary: Rex Laverne Ash – September 07, 2004
- Hike of the week: Mt. Scott gives bird’s-eye view of Crater Lake – September 3, 2004
- Geologist’s talk rebuilds a mountain – August 25, 2004
- Lindgren, Hanlin repeat as Crater Lake Rim Run winners – August 16, 2004
- Shields remembers first Crater Lake races – August 16, 2004
- Ten small fires burn in Crater Lake park area – August 16, 2004
- Oh Crater Lake – poetry about the lake – August 9, 2004
- Friends of Crater Lake to repair Annie Creek – August 03, 2004
- Park publications on sale at Great Basin Visitor Center – August 02, 2004
- Astronomy programs set for this weekend – July 29, 2004
- Pied Piper of Astronomy’s to present program: John Dobson – July 15, 2004
- Crater Lake to reduce fire hazards – July 02, 2004
- Editorial: Should this be a first ‘view’ of Crater Lake? – July 1, 2004
- Crater Lake’s summer program cut – June 29, 2004
- Crater Lake road ready for drivers Wednesday – June 15, 2004
- Governor OKs Crater Lake for state’s quarter – May 25, 2004
- Chamber has big ideas for new quarter, promotions – May 18, 2004
- Postcards from the Rim – April 26, 2004
- Guidebooks help reveal new ways to explore Oregon – April 25, 2004
- Cycle Oregon to tour Crater Lake – February 29, 2004
- Crater Lake tops list of specialty plates, raises $1.1 million – February 26, 2004
- Ole Norman Lunde – February 24, 2004
- It’s plow it out, lit snow, plow it out at Crater Lake – February 19, 2004
- Ski races at Crater Lake on Saturday – February 4, 2004
- What’s in a name? Chatting with Lewis L. McArthur – February 4, 2004
- Using cross country skis or snowshoes, one can experience Crater Lake’s winter wilderness – February 02, 2004
- Crater Lake license plates raise more than money – January 27, 2004
