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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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