On April 30 at 15:00, two NPS set-up teams are waiting for a weather window to fly in and start shoveling. A few flights were able to capitalize on a brief weather window into the Ruth mid-morning this Wednesday, but teams and pilots are still waiting for the Base Camp window. An all-female AMS team returning from the Ruth Wednesday reported new snow, “knee high”, and late-night northern lights sightings as the sunlight starts to trend towards midnight sun.
Ranger Reports
We’re excited to introduce three additions to our team for the 2025 season. Our “Rookie Rangers,” Scotty Barrier and Robin Pendery, are far from “Rookies” and have formerly volunteered with our program. Continuing to work with our NPS-contracted TEMSCO Helo pilots, we welcome Tide Smid. All three have already proven they are valuable assets to the team, and we are privileged to have them join us. The Talkeetna Hang Rangers Alan Davis and Scotty Barrier are standing by to begin the first Base Camp Patrol of the season (BC #1 Davis and Barrier), with the first 14K West Buttress Patrol following (14K Patrol #1 Ramos-Leon and Guetschow). The first BC and 14K Patrols’ objective is to construct the NPS infrastructure needed to conduct operations for the season.
BC #1 Davis and Barrier are scheduled for a week of setup at the Kahiltna Base Camp, including a mission to install a radio repeater on top of Mt. Crosson. The Mt. Crosson repeater is a critical component in the NPS communications, enabling radio communications to flow through the range from May to early July. If the weather doesn’t fit with the schedule, the base camp set up will be pushed back to the next patrol team.
14K Patrol #1 (Ramos-Leon and Guetschow). Ranger Kakiko Ramos-Leon and volunteer Andrea Tupy, who were on the 2024 set-up team, are returning for back-to-back 14K set-up patrols. Ranger Taylor Guetschow, paramedic Tanner B., and volunteers Malcolm Herstand and Julia Dramis will round out the team this season. The 14K Medical Camp gear has been dropped off at 14,000’ and is waiting for the set-up team's arrival. As soon as the weather window opens and allows teams to begin flying into Base Camp, the team will work their way up the West Buttress route.
Photos
Meet the 14K Patrol #1 team
Packed, loaded, and standing by! From left to right, VIP (Volunteer in Park) Julia Dramis, Andrea Tupy (returning VIP 2024, 2023, 2017, and 2015), Malcolm Herstand, Ranger Kakiko Ramos-Leon, Paramedic Tanner B., and Ranger Taylor Guetschow
Ranger Photo of the Week:
Rookie Robin Pendry utilizes the tools available for dinner on a patrol in Ruth.
Photo of the Week:
April 24, 2025 - Northern Lights over Mt. McKinley from Ranger Jake Kayes on patrol with Ranger Robin Pendry