Winter
A six month high-level study of Crater Lake’s winter operations concludes that no changes are warranted.
Emil Nordeen’s 1931 Crater Lake ski trophy (38 inches high of solid silver) comes out of retirement in Sweden, when the trophy is awarded as the first place prize for a 37 mile Kalutra Skloppet race in Northern Sweden. This is the first time the Swedes have lived up to their 1960 agreement with Nordeen.
January
The Park’s rescue raft is slid down the Rim at Rim Village for a practice rescue run to Wizard Island. 12 rangers camp in snow caves on the island. The nighttime temperature at the Rim reached a minus 7 degrees, with 31 degrees being measured in the snow caves. Since it was a clear night, the rangers climbed Wizard Island by moonlight.
James Stansberry, Diamond Lake snowmobile guide, cited for leading 5 other snowmobilers off the established route. Stansberry was fined $500 (with $400 suspended) and restricted from any further guided trips into the Park.
January
A new government report estimates the Lodge needs $2.4 million in safety repairs. Additional studies concluded the Lodge needed $6.5 million dollars of repairs. The work was scheduled to begin at the end of the season, 1982, but because of the cost, the work is delayed.
January 8
Famed geologist Howel Williams dies in California. As requested by his brother in England, William’s ashes are shipped to Crater Lake. Superintendent Jim Rouse slipped the silver tube containing William’s ashes into the Lake at Cleetwood Cove the following summer. Forgotten Crater, an extension of Hillman Peak is renamed to “Williams Crater.”
January 13
Wesley Stanfield, 54, of Central Point, dies while skiing on the East Road, near the Wildflower Garden. The Chiloquin Ambulance, while transporting the victim, runs off the road near Fort Klamath, moderately injuring the for attendants who were giving CPR.
January 28
Congress is asked for $781,000 to reconstruct four miles of the West Rim Road, between the Watchman and the North Junction.
February 23
Senator Mark Hatfield, following through on a previous promise, introduces legislation to expand Crater Lake by some 23,000 acres. The bill would add Sphagnum Bog and Thousand Springs, Desert Ridge, Boundary Springs, all of Timber Crater, Bear Butte and the Sand Creek drainage. Hatfield left out some of the recommended Diamond Lake area, so as not to further restrict snowmobile use.
March 1
The first annual Dutton Creek Cross Country Ski Race. Reider Peterson, age 40, former U.S. Olympic Team member, wins in 39.0 minutes. Ten year old Brian Smith, wins the youth division in 80.45 minutes.
March 15
Ambassador and Mrs. Merwyn Norrish of New Zealand are shown around the Park by Superintendent Rouse.
March 16
Annual Portland Nordic Club Rim ski race.
April 1
The Klamath Falls Group (Cluster) office is abolished and all personnel are informed that they must either transfer to other parks, retire or move to Crater Lake by August of 1982.
May
Seasonal Ranger Rod Cranson publishes the geological story of Crater Lake entitled “Crater Lake – Gem of the Cascades”. Rod’s book is the first geological book published about Crater Lake since Howel Williams’ 1942 book.
May 18
The destructive eruption and eventual explosion of Mt. St. Helens, focuses renew attention to Mazama’s eruption and collapse, 6,600 years ago.
Summer
The complete Interpretive Ranger crew are returning veterans. This is the first time in memory that there has not been at least several new employees.
Oregon’s only nesting Peregrine falcon lays three eggs, but they fail to hatch. Again studies show that the shells were too thin and the eggs had dried out before hatching.
