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Subscribe to RSSFavorable weather conditions Thursday allowed authorities to recover the body of a Mount Rainier National Park ranger who fell to his death on June 21.
Rescuers used a helicopter to retrieve the body of Nick Hall, the park ranger who fell 2,500 feet during a rescue operation on Mount Rainier.
Thursday's recovery went smoothly, spokeswoman Patti Wold told The Associated Press. Clear weather conditions Thursday were a boon, after strong winds and adverse winter conditions prevented recovery efforts in the days following the accident.
Seattle's NBC News affiliate KING 5 reported that the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier was closed for the day for the recovery.
The body of Hall, 34, will be taken to the Pierce County medical examiner's office in Tacoma, about 35 miles south of Seattle, AP reported.
Hall was part of a team attempting to rescue climbers who fell at the 11,000-foot level of Mount Rainier. The four-year veteran of Mount Rainier National Park's climbing ranger program was assisting with the helicopter rescue when he fell to his death.
Hall is not the first fatality on the mountain this year. In January, ranger Margaret Anderson was killed by a gunman in the park after trying to stop the gunman's vehicle.
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Bad year so far for our beautiful mountain. R I P ranger and thank you for your service
Thank you rescuers and condolences to the family of the deceased ranger.
Rangers should not rescue any of these morons they should be left on the mountains to die not the ranger.
Hope his family sues the young climbers families. He died because of the climber's stupidity.
It's sad to think that such a horrible thing has happened and your first response is to sue the families of the climbers. He died doing his job and probably loved doing it. Go find yourself some class!
@cherub_rock.....indeed sad - is the world in which we live. Imagine that vacation you could take with that money....the new house....all off the death of your loved one. Come to think of it....perhaps we can sue cunical for his/her lack of class....his/her lack of feeling....after all - made us post this didn't he/she.
Am sorry for the troubles of all involved. Agreed...Ranger Hall probably viewed it as part and parcel of his job. I'll also hazard a guess the climbers never intended to create the situation that caused his death. Am glad for his family - that they've brought him off the mountain.
@cherub_rock, You know what I hate? Stupid stories about people who do things they shouldn't. Of course the people who do these things don't realize they are doing something stupid. All in all, they are above thinking. After all, service people who do thier job... because they love it... are expected to rescue them from their "whimsical journey" to blah blah blah. So a service member has to die. To rescue....What? Whether cop, fireman ranger or military have to put their lives on the line and save the "whimsical... people.... doing recreation.... where they don't belong". And aren't qualified to be. Where is your outrage when our tax dollars are used to rescue these "whimsical people". And the lives of service members? Mayhaps thou art a whimsical person?
While I dislike lawsuits I also see the need for them..but..It was his choice to provide this service..but..I can see your reasoning also and I don't know the specifics of this death so how can I judge?
Said another way I had a company I worked for brake 18 of my bones...that state took away my right to sue... Owner told me Safety was in his budget and made me aware of his immunity...
The good lord works in mysterious ways.
@Tiber: Leave him out of this.
Yea God kills all willy nilly without regards to how good or bad a soul is.
NOT much of a god is he.
Tiber..are you saying God took this brave man.....by having him fall 2,500 feet to his death....if it was his time.. or for what ever reason..you believe "The good lord works in mysterious ways." Why not take him in his sleep.....because you have NO IDEA why this happened....you come up with "The good lord works in mysterious ways." That is said....maybe The good lord works in mysterious ways plan for you is to have you mauled by a pack of Dogs....
Gods hand was NOT in this BRAVE man's death...... Unforeseen circumstances befall all
People struggle so much with trying to make sense out of things like this--if they take some comfort in their beliefs, who can blame them? And why should they be blamed?
One can never find a good "reason" for accidents--that's why they are accidents. But maybe we can find some compassion for all who are saddened by this. Why would anyone wish more suffering on others?
I call thses people DEIPHOBES!!
Sad that the ranger's body couldn't be retrieved for this amount of time.
Condolences to the family.
Job 1:21 (KJV)
Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
The mystery here is how any of the idiots who post stupid comments ever evolved beyond Plankton!
Wow, your post doesn't sound stupid at all!
At least a bill introduced by New York Republican, Rep. Richard Hanna, one of the few Republicans who don't show hatred for federal workers to please their tea party element, will entitle him to a flag over his casket. The bill was introduced because of the 2956 Federal Workers who died in the line of duty since 1992, most of them in Iraq and Afghanistan. Oops it's at least up to 2957 with this death.
Deleted--in wrong place.
It's way past time to make climbers file huge insurance policies before they climb, or sign waivers that they will NOT be rescued if they get into trouble.
@ cherub. Yup. I am sure he loved his job. That doesn't mean he loved rescuing morons. And damned right the climbers should have to pay! This ranger has loved one's that should be compensated for the idiot climbers stupidity!
The climbers weren't morons. They had an accident, and someone was hurt.
The word "moron" is really overused on these forums, and usually by posters who think they know it all and apparently have never done anything foolish or ever had an accident they didn't plan for.
Right over your head hey Jay? The climbers were morons who had an accident because they were doing something dangerous. They should NOT depend on anyone saving their dumb asses when they " have an accident" doing something stupid. It is not as though they have to go climbing. They do it for the thrill, not necessity.
I have nothing against climbers. As long as they don't expect to be rescued when they get in trouble. And yup, they should have to have a huge insurance policy that goes to people like this ranger who died trying to save their stupid asses!
cmach, you know nothing about these people. You're just a mean, angry person who is lashing out at the world. I hope you have something better to do than this.
@JayEll1204918 How did they have an accident? You have an accident on the freeway or while driving. You have an accident while cutting up a chicken for bbq. You walk or copter into the mountains it's not an accident. That's irresponsible. And for their fun a service member died. They should be charged with negligent homicide @ the least. Then maybe these stupid people will stop endangering other peoples lives! It's not an accident. Let me splain something to you Lucy. Just say you are right. "They had an accident". They should have insurance for that. It's not like they shat themselves! Now thats an accident that doesn't kill other people (unless, possibly they are present)! AND thats an "accident that doesn't cost the taxpayer. "I am sorry I possibly confused you with with logic".
As someone who has climbed Rainier but has never owned a car, I feel you as a driver are the one costing all of us in money and unnecessary risk. Driving is by far the most dangerous activity most Americans engage in, and most driving is of less benefit than is visiting such awsome spots as the summit of a big mountain. Please allow us climbers to engage with the real world of nature, and I'll defend your right to insulate yourself in your anthropogenic cocoon.
Jay.. I am actually a very nice happy person. I am not angry at anyone. But you seem to be.
As I said. I have nothing against climbers and I have climbed a bit myself. But it is something that you should have to do without planning on putting others in danger if you mess up. Or have an accident.
Blafgart. that is a ridiculous analogy. And BTW. To drive, you are required to have INSURANCE!
It's amazing that a nose picker can be rescued within hours regardless where they are on the mountain but it takes this long to recover the body of someone who has to go out in all kinds of conditions to save these idiots.
Dodger, strangely enough, the biggest efforts go to those who are still alive. I know this probably makes no sense to you--you and cmach must be buddies. You'd probably strap on your crampons to go up there and throw the survivors back into the crevasse.
Dodger -
Please define "nose-picker." I'm just curious.
To all the above. A nose picker is someone who does something while doing something else, say driving, and is Not paying attention to driving. As to another fine quality human, Yes the nose pickers are still alive, thanks to the rescue people who one had to die to rescueing said nose pickers. NOW do you understand? Or is Logic still out of your "reasoning abilities"? As to saying respectful opinion? A sevice member died. Apparently, according to some people, with a death wish, (ie: they loved their job, ie: they wanted to die).
cmack -
I mostly agree with your position, but your delivery bites. A little repsect costs you nothing, and makes your point palatable.
Try it - you might like it!
You're right mpa. My apologies. I do think I could have stated my position better. Thank you.
The ranger in this case died doing what he loved to do. If we give up our right to hike and go into the wilderness we give up what this good man died protecting.
It is a terrible tragedy and I for one commend him for his great service!
Than you for your service, Ranger Hall.
Those of you with the 'idiot' climber comments...I hope you are enjoying your smug sense of superiority. I suggest reading the job description of a Federal Park Ranger. These men and women know exactly what they are doing and do it because they LOVE their work.
Climbers know their risks and take every precaution necessary to avoid an accident. The goal is to summit and come back safely to share the experience. Sadly accidents do happen. They are called an accident because no one is at fault.
Yah, and accidents should be covered by insurance, not me and my too little money covering "fine quality acsents" on overly climbed mountains by "uninsured fine quality people" who expect others to die and pay for their recreation and rescue! So I guess they aren't prepared, are they? Ya think @ least minimum liability? Maybe unexpected death? WTF?
You're starting to sound like an insurance agent. How do you know these people didn't have accident insurance?
@Ryan Andrew Olson So now Rangers are in the Milatary, Police Officer, and Fireman category. They know they, because they work in US parks should have to die because of sombody elses desire to do something against all logic. Because it is "fun or challenging" Where in the job description does it say they have to die for "these fine quality people"? I thought they had to protect the forest and explain to people don't feed the bears you morons, or say ONLY YOU can prevent forest fires. I guess I missed the update. Thank you for edumaecating me! Seriously, I don't mind people living dangerous lifstyles. I just think a person working their ass off should not be required to subsidise it. Where do I sign up for that? I have fantasies too. How did these people get there? AHHHH.. you are one of those.....Let the middle class handle it.... Good Lord son, you think I got to be where I am paying for your mistakes?.....
Through the course of your day you may take numerous risks any of which could result in injury or death or even require the attention of rescuers or police.
To take the attitude of only the wealthiest should do these things and the poor should be barred is not very American eh?
Also even had these folks had insurance we are talking about the accidental death of a rescuer and insurance would have had no impact.
Selfish SOB's who go up on this mountain and good people like this man that go to save them loose their live....You should be ashamed!!! Pisses me off everytime I see some dumbass goes up on this mountain in the winter and others have to risk their lives for them...freakin dumb *sses!!!!!
The four-year veteran of Mount Rainier National Park's climbing ranger program was assisting with the helicopter rescue when he fell to his death.
What is a four year veteran? He was still green and paid the price for it. It's sad.
First of all condolences to the ranger’s family and friends.
Second of all, if I remember correctly the climbers fell into a crevasse, I recommend some of you to google it, most probably the climbers were not ‘nose pickers’ or idiots doing illogical things, it was an accident and they got hurt, they did not go to the mountain and started jumping around hoping to open a crevasse and fell into it. According to your logic a person should be sued or have accident insurance if they go to the beach and a rip current takes them out to sea? That is also a natural occurrence, nobody goes to the water hoping to get into one, and yes even the most expert swimmer can die on one of them.
Stop rescuing those who get into trouble while climbing a mountain people keep dying on? WTF no rangers life is worth it because some fool thinks it will be cool to hike up the mountain side then starts to freeze to death or gets into trouble?
Ban all rescues from mountains leave these idiots to figure it out they got up there on their own after all?
For everyone who deplores the hikers for doing something stupid, or "whimsical"....you do realize that there is a VERY strong possibility the Ranger grew up climbing mountains, as well, right? He was a member of the "Climbing Ranger Program", so chances are, he had some experience with the sport. Does that make the Ranger a "nose-picker", too?
I personally am fed up with public safety officials like this brave ranger putting their lives on line to "save' idiots like mountain climbers from themselves. I'ts dangerous enough in our national parks just avoiding moronic auto drivers and deranged criminals. When rangers lose their lives trying to save some idiot climber is where I draw the line.