Attempt to recover body of Rainier ranger halted for today
STACIA GLENN
Strong winds Thursday kept Mount Rainier National Park rangers from retrieving the body of climbing ranger Nick Hall, who fell to his death June 21 while rescuing a group of climbers.
Weather conditions were good enough Thursday morning that a helicopter attempted to make the recovery, but efforts were suspended after winds posed a threat to rescuers.
Wind speeds at Camp Muir, on the south side of the mountain at 10,000 feet, were measured at between 47 and 55 mph Thursday afternoon, with gusts reaching 70 mph.
Hall’s body is at about 11,500 feet on the northeast side of the mountain.
Rangers said they would continue monitoring the weather in hopes of removing Hall’s body.
The 34-year-old ranger died while trying to rescue four climbers who had fallen into a crevasse on the Emmons Glacier. While directing a litter hanging below a helicopter, Hall slipped and fell 2,500 feet.
Three of the four climbers Hall helped rescue were released Thursday from Madigan Army Medical Center. None of the four was seriously injured.
A private memorial service is planned for Friday at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise. The public can view a live stream at http://bit.ly/KPSBhl.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
