Ranger Nick Hall's body recovered from Winthrop Glacier on Mount Rainier

The mission to recover Climbing Ranger Nick Hall from the Winthrop Glacier on Mount Rainier this morning was successful. Hall died on June 21 while responding to a rescue of four injured climbers on Mount Rainier.

A team of five Mount Rainier climbing rangers and a search dog team were flown up to Hall’s location at about 11,000 feet on the north side of Mount Rainier. The operation, including a preliminary reconnaissance flight went smoothly and was completed in approximately two hours.

Air operations were supported by a Chinook and crew from the 214th Aviation out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and a Hughes 530 from Northwest Helicopters.

Rangers attempted to retrieve Hall the day of the original incident and again on June 28, but were forced to call off both missions due to high winds, deteriorating weather, and avalanche hazards.

A memorial service honoring Hall was held last Friday. It was attended by an estimated 450 people, filling both floors of the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. Many others watched the service via live streaming video at the Paradise Inn and at other locations across the park and country. Video coverage of the service can be viewed and download at the DVIDS, Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System, http://www.dvidshub.net/video/148209/memorial-ranger-nick-hall

A family memorial service is being planned for this Friday, July 6 in Patten, Maine.  Members of the Mount Rainier National Park staff, along with other National Park Service representatives will be in attendance.

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