Cave Rescue Training

About a month ago, I attended cave rescue training. I've been wanting to get these pictures up for a while. Below, we had some classroom instruction. As you can see from our facial expressions, this was serious business. Chris, Wheeler, and I are watching a co-worker get strapped into the stokes basket.
Our first practice was outside, getting the feel of the sked and the different positions in the rescue team. I was the scout, meaning I looked ahead to see what cave conditions were like and to let the leader know what was coming. Also pictured Wheeler, Steve, Kelly, Jennie, Charles, Nate, Robb, Lindsay, and Shannon.

Here I'm telling folks we've gotta go under the bench. Robb, Nate, Wheeler, Mary Beth, Shannon, myself, and Jennie.

Then we were ready for the real thing. The report came in that two individuals had not come out of the cave and a search and rescue team was dispatched. I was put on communications and stayed in the visitor center, manning the radio, recording all transactions, and relaying messages to command. Below is the group getting Victoria out of the Civil Defense room.

Nate performing the very important task of removing Victoria's pony-tail holder to give her more comfort during the rescue.

Although I wasn't in the cave, it was a good training and I learned a lot. It was nice to be on communication because I knew what every group was doing, where they were, and what assistance they needed. I also got to talk ideas with command on what should be done with the different patients in the cave.

Oh, and I'm posting this from the comfort of my home. I finally got internet today!

Pot-luck Predicament

Baker is a very social place. There are only about 75 permanent residents, most of whom work at the park. I've mentioned before that there is something going on almost every night. Most often, it involves food. I'm fine with that. My dear mother taught me to always bring something to functions, and it's a no-brainer that you bring a dish to share to a pot-luck. As I said before, I'm fine with that.

The problem: the closest grocery store is 70 miles away in Ely. I plan my meals very, very carefully and shop only every two or three weeks. I like the pot-lucks that are advertised two/three weeks in advance because then I can plan for them; it's the spure of the moment get-togethers that have me flustered.

My petition for you, ideas for simple dishes to bring, with ingredients that I probably have on my selves already and don't need to shop for. Or recipes with ingredients that can sit in my cupboard or hang out in my fridge for three weeks and safely be served.

Suggestions, emails, comments, all and anything welcome!

Scenic Drive and Pole Canyon

Have I mentioned how pretty this place is? It is beautiful. The weather finally cooperated and was warm enough for this Texan to get out and explore the park on my day off. The first thing I wanted to do was drive up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. There's still a lot of snow at the top. Here is a view of Wheeler Peak from the Mather Overlook. It is 13,063 feet. I'll summit it at some point this summer, stay tuned for that post!
Same overlook. The bench did fairly well snapping this picture. I really was there!

I left the scenic drive to hike Pole Canyon. Along the route, there are some pictographs. I call this The Original American Gothic.

I took this as a recommendation for a good place to eat lunch. I did. It was quite lovely. Thanks mountain lion!

The hike was up through a canyon. Every so often I'd come around a bend and this beautiful green meadow would open up in front of me.

Looking back toward the valley.

I hiked up the canyon, crossed a low ridge, and headed down the other side. About halfway down, I hit snow on the trail. There were also places where streams from snow melt had decided the trail was a great path of least resistance and took over. There was some bushwacking happening, but nothing too adventurous. It was a beautiful hike and it felt soo good to get out and explore.

Out and About

Bless Starbucks and their free wireless internet, and Cedar City, UT for having said establishment so I can take advantage of wifi.


Life in Baker is going well. I've got a few posts and I'll try and stagger them every few days so I don't over load you with Kate-ness. I should be getting internet at my house in the next two weeks and I'm very excited. Now, the valley only needs a cell tower and I'll be content.


Our last week of training we took a tour of the area. It is really a pretty place. This is the west side of the park. The west side is more steep than the east because of the geological forces that created the range.


We got a ridiculous amount of snow on Sunday, May 29th. It started in the wee hours of the morning and kept going until late, late that night. We had to close the scenic drive in the park to 8,000 feet. I tried to get a shot with my camera so you could see the depth. It took me a good ten minutes, using my arm since my brush was completely useless with the amount of snow dumped, cleaning off my car so I could get to work.

We have fabulous wildlife in the park. This is a mule deer snacking in my back yard. And yeah, that's my back yard, pretty sweet huh?

I had an encounter with a suicidal jack-rabbit. I was coming home late and it was dark. I pulled into the residential area, saw the rabbit, could read his indecision, stopped while he made up his mind, and then, smack, right into my stopped car. Shocked, I got out, but he'd hopped away, leaving as evidence of his head-butt with my car a tuft of hair.

My roommate's car was a little more talented and actually captured a bird. It was really jammed in there and really sad to look at.My roommate and I hosted a pizza night. She and the guy who lives across the street made the crusts, I provided sauce, and those attending brought toppings. We had some very creative and really good pizza.

Below from left to right are Nicole (archaeologist), Dan (trail crew leader), John (fisheries biologist and has since cut his hair), Shannon (interpretation), and Mary Beth (the roommate and interpretation).

Wheeler and Chris, both interpretation, like me.It's a very social place, you could do something every night if you wanted to.

Work is going well and I'm giving cave tours on a regular basis, manning both visitor center desks, have given a kids program that was a huge success, and simply enjoying working for the Park Service again!