[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 240 (Thursday, December 15, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-30839] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: December 15, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice--Mountaineering Program. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: A new Mountaineering Program will be put in place for the 1995 climbing season in Denali National Park and Preserve. The mountaineering program will include a 60-Day Pre-Registration requirement for climbers on Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker and a mountaineering program fee. Mountaineering in the park has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, with the number of Mount McKinley climbers increasing from 695 in 1984 to 1,277 in 1994. Climbing related injuries and deaths have correspondingly increased. By requiring advance registration, the Denali park staff will be able to provide information to prospective mountaineers in advance of their climb. This may include information on the specific dangers they may face, other safety related issues, how to prepare and equip, and requirements concerning resource protection issues such as litter removal and human waste disposal. The 60-Day pre-registration requirement is a regulatory issue and is being addressed through an interim rulemaking. As part of the interim rulemaking process, the National Park Service (NPS) will be soliciting comments and will review comments and consider making changes to the rule based upon an analysis of comments. The fee to be charged--$150 per climber--will help offset mountaineering administrative costs associated with prepositioning and maintaining the high-altitude ranger camp at 14,200 feet on the West Buttress route, mountaineering patrol salaries, education materials aimed at reducing the number of accidents, transportation and supplies. The cost of administering the international mountaineering program (climbers represented 23 countries in 1994) has increased over the past several years and consumes a disproportionate amount of the park budget. The program has three major components: 1. Sixty-Day Pre-Registration: Climbers on McKinley and Foraker will be required to register a minimum of 60 days in advance of their climb. By requiring advance registration, the Denali staff will be able to provide information to prospective mountaineers on the dangers they may face, how to prepare and equip, and to discuss requirements concerning resource issues such as littering and human waste disposal. Currently, climbers are required to register, but may do so as late as the day they depart for the mountain. The National Park Service will be revising the regulations to implement this requirement. 2. Preventative SAR/Education: Written and visual orientation materials will be improved to better prepare mountaineers for a sub- arctic mountaineering experience. Mountaineers from outside the United States account for a disproportionate number of rescues. With 20 to 30 countries represented each season, written and voice-mail materials eventually will be prepared in eight languages. 3. Climbing Special Use Permit Fee: The $150 per climber fee is expected to generate about $180,000 per year (1,200 climbers x $150). Expenditures will include ranger and support salaries while doing mountaineering-related work, improved educational presentations and materials, logistical support and patrol supplies (such as that used at the 14,200-foot camp on the West Buttress). The fee will neither cover the lease of the high-altitude helicopter (about $240,000 per year), nor will it be used to offset expenses incurred in rescues (anywhere from $70,000 to $200,000 per year). The move to a fee program does not change Denali park's existing rescue policy which states: Denali National Park and Preserve recognizes that a certain number of park visitors each year will become ill, injured, or incapacitated in some way. It is the policy of Denali National Park and Preserve to assist those in need when, in the opinion of the park personnel apprised of the situation, it is necessary, appropriate, within the reasonable skill and technical capability of park personnel and provides searchers and rescuers with a reasonable margin of safety. The NPS will continue to make reasonable efforts to provide, subject to existing conditions and the availability of personnel and equipment, search and rescue operations. Further, the level and exigency of the response is determined by field personnel based on their evaluation of the situation. Denali National Park and Preserve expects park users, specifically individuals who undertake mountaineering activities, to exhibit a degree of self-reliance and responsibility for their own safety commensurate with the degree of difficulty of the activities they undertake. James M. Brady, Chief, Ranger Activities Division. [FR Doc. 94-30839 Filed 12-14-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE: 4310-70-P