Park ranger recognized for rescue efforts
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
December 15, 2002
By LEE JUILLERAT
Rescue efforts that helped save the lives of two cross country skiers buried in an avalanche at Crater Lake National Park in January have earned national honors for park ranger Randy Benham.
Benham, a seasonal ranger who lives near Grants Pass, was presented the Department of the Interior’s Exemplary Act Award earlier this month.
Chief Ranger Dave Brennan said the honor was being made “in recognition of Randy’s courageous actions that resulted in the rescue of two avalanche victims.”
On Jan. 21, park rangers launched a search for two skiers overdue from a trip around the lake. While on the search, Benham, ski patrol member Bill Bloom and visitors Richard Ward and Kris Fisher were caught in an avalanche on a steep slope along East Rim Drive near the Crater Peak trail junction. All four were swept 100 feet down a steep hill.
When the slide stopped, Benham was on top of the snow and Ward was buried to his waist. Fisher was buried upside down with only his ski pole tip sticking from the snow, while Bloom was completely buried.
Benham led Ward on a search. They located and dug out Fisher, then searched for Bloom. Benham picked up an avalanche beacon signal from Bloom, then used his ski poles to make a probe. They quickly locating Bloom, who was buried under six feet of avalanche debris. When Bloom was freed after being buried for almost 40 minutes he was hypoxic and hypothermic.
Benham treated Bloom’s injuries, enabling Bloom to ski out under his own power.
“Under tremendous stress, Randy took charge of the emergency situation and acted decisively and appropriately,” said Superintendent Chuck Lundy. “His timely, accurate and professional response undoubtedly saved the lives of both Bloom and Fisher.”
Benham, who was unaware of the award, said he mostly reacted.
“I’ve been doing it for so long a lot of it was reflex,” Benham said. “I jumped into that rescue mode and went to work. Everything worked out. It’s mainly just training. We do it over and over. You never know when you’re going to use it.”
He began work as a seasonal Crater Lake ranger in 1993. Since then he has also worked at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and served on the Crater Lake volunteer ski patrol.
“It was nice receiving the award at Crater Lake because that’s like home. This meant a lot more getting it at the park. I like working up there.”
In the Grants Pass area, Benham recently opened a Christian coffee house, “Cup of Trembling,” and has long designed and manufactured rescue evacuation equipment and technical outerwear clothing through another business, Massif Mountain Gear.
Benham was given a framed certificate, a National Park Service arrowhead plaque and a personal avalanche beacon.
The Exemplary Act Award was established in 1982 to honor employees or private citizens who exhibit bravery in attempting to save the life of another person. The award is the second highest Honor Award presented by the Interior Department.
Bloom was given a special achievement award for his dedication and personal sacrifice as a ski patrol member. Ranger Dan Jacobs, who oversees the ski patrol, said, “Despite this significantly disquieting experience, Bill’s dedication and commitment to Crater Lake National Park and the ski patrol remains strong and active.”
Bloom was also awarded an avalanche beacon provided through the Crater Lake Natural History Association.
Other pages in this section
- Crater Lake ranger presented with Exemplary Act Award – December 07, 2002
- Obituaries – James Robert Read – November 24, 2002
- Plan: Relocate rim parking: Rim Village parking may leave Crater Lake’s edge – November 22, 2002
- Snow closes Crater Lake’s Rim Drive – November 13, 2002
- Crater Lake symposium broad as well as deep – October 07, 2002
- Renowned oceanographer featured speaker at Crater Lake symposium – September 18, 2002
- Rex Lee Trulove – September 08, 2002
- Crater Lake Fascinations: Diller’s pin, clear water, fish stories keep lake and park a place of wonder forever fascinating – August 31, 2002
- Navy pilot drops in to Crater Lake, again – August 27, 2002
- Crater Lake centennial party: Celebration amid the smoke – August 26, 2002
- Celebration day: Crater Lake National Park transformed for festivities – August 25, 2002
- Crater Lake license plate available in Oregon – August 25, 2002
- Happy 100th to the gem of Klamath – August 23, 2002
- Crater Lake learning center dedicated – August 23, 2002
- Long lines expected for new license plates – August 23, 2002
- National Park Service leader pays return visit to Crater Lake – August 23, 2002
- Crater Lake events listed – August 22, 2002
- Larson honored for Crater Lake work – August 18, 2002
- Obituary: Howard ‘Bud’ Hittenrauch – August 15, 2002
- Speakers set for Crater Lake – August 15, 2002
- Stunning revelations at high elevations: Runners experience life – August 11, 2002
- Lindgren makes memorable win – August 11, 2002
- Marathon has world, local flavor – August 11, 2002
- Runner takes ‘stroll in park’ – August 11, 2002
- Bush to visit Oregon, not Crater Lake – August 06, 2002
- Keep Rim Drive open – all of the way – July 31, 2002
- Crater Lake license plate unveiled – July 31, 2002
- Dedication of Future Science & Learning Center – August 22, 2002
- The fight for Crater Lake/Winning National Park Status Wasn’t Easy – July 28, 2002
- Centennial Award goes to Crater Lake researcher – July 22, 2002
- The Crater Lake murders and the 9-fingered man – July 21, 2002
- The party is ‘on’ at Crater Lake – July 18, 2002
- Park plan looks at snipping Rim Road – July 05, 2002
- Controlled burns set for Monday at Crater Lake – June 16, 2002
- Controlled burns set for Monday at Crater Lake – June 15, 2002
- Crater Lake’s north entrance open – June 05, 2002
- Crater Lake looking at trail relocation, rehabilitation – June 05, 2002
- Lake retains beauty after 100 years – May 22, 2002
- Crater Lake National Park Centennial ‘Let the celebration begin’ 1902-2002 – May 21, 2002
- The jewel turns 100: a century after it was dedicated, Crater Lake National Park inspires wonder for millions – May 19, 2002
- Old stories about W. F. Arant and Steel come back again and again for family – May 13, 2002
- W.F. Arant – Crater Lake’s first superintendent – May 13, 2002
- Quilting Crater Lake: Rocky Point will raffle quilt to raise funds – May 12, 2002
- Crater Lake alumni sought – May 09, 2002
- Cafe at Crater Lake to reopen – April 26, 2002
- Park Service names new concession official – April 13, 2002
- National park’s father returns: Will Steele on stage at Crater Lake – April 9, 2002
- Xanterra Parks & Resorts Receives Contract to Manage Concessions – April 5, 2002
- Crater Lake to be subject of museum lectures – March 30, 2002
- Crater Lake employee reunion part of Centennial celebration – March 25, 2002
- ‘How Crater Lake came to be’: A Klamath Indian legend Special for the Herald and News – February 25, 2002
- Making tracks at Crater Lake: guide shares insights with snowshoers; his knowledge of the lake is legendary – February 24, 2002
- Crater Lake Centennial Cookbook to be a part of this year’s celebration – February 22, 2002
- Crater Lake Ski Patrol crucial to park operations – February 21, 2002
- Crater Lake concession awarded to Amfac – January 30, 2002
- Lost skiers find searchers – January 24, 2002
- Search for overdue skiers – January 21, 2002
- Going postal for Crater Lake – January 13, 2002