Climbing Statistics
In the past seven years visitation to ten cross-country zones has been tracked based on overnight permits issued. For the purpose of permitting, quota allocation, and collecting data, North Cascades National Park is divided into trail segments and two types of cross-country zones. Trail segments have established campsites and maintained trails while cross-country zones are left undeveloped and pristine. These management classes were established in the park’s first Wilderness Management Plan. Cross-country zone size and quota allocation was determined by a variety of factors such as historical use, potential for impacts in the area, remoteness, and the need to meet the mandates of the Wilderness Act.

The table below (showing the number of registered backcountry users, not the number of parties) reveals some interesting developments for the 2008 climbing season. The most noteworthy change was the relative increase in the number of climbers going into the Terror Basin and Sulphide Glacier cross-country zones. Boston Basin, Eldorado, Klawatti and Logan cross-country zones showed a decrease in overnight users. Overall, 2008 was the second lowest year in overnight backcountry use, with only a small increase over 2007.

Ice climbing on Mount Shuksan. Photo © Chris Kouba.		Camp on Teebone Ridge. Photo © David Svilar.		Rock climbing on Forbidden Peak. Photo © Troy Rutledge.
Ice climbing on Mount Shuksan. Photo © Chris Kouba.		Camp on Teebone Ridge. Photo © David Svilar.		Rock climbing on Forbidden Peak. Photo © Troy Rutledge.

Staffing and Patrols
In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Using funding from the NPS Centennial Challenge Initiative, the Wilderness District was able to hire one new seasonal ranger, bringing the total number to 16 rangers. One permanent, one term, 10 seasonal, and four SCA (Student Conservation Association) rangers conducted 145 patrols of trails and cross-country zones for a combined total of 369 patrol days.

Impact Monitoring
An important patrol objective is the monitoring and documentation of physical impacts from recreation and other sources in the wilderness. This is especially true for cross-country areas that have recently experienced a marked increase in popularity. The route into Terror Basin is prime example. While a decade ago map reading, navigation skills, and sheer determination were essential for reaching this remote area, in recent years a well established route has been developed. As part of their patrol objectives, wilderness rangers have documented routes and camps developed by climbers in cross-country zones. In 2008, the Wilderness District funded one ranger position with the goal of documenting physical impact in six separate cross-country zones. Utilizing GIS mapping technology and rapid site approach to collect data, the ranger was able to survey routes and sites at Mount Blum, Torment Basin, Crescent Creek, Ruby Mountain, Trapper Lake and Stout Lake. The new findings will help rangers monitor future changes to these and other sites.

Voluntary Climbing Register
The voluntary climbing register program has been used for over 30 years at NCNP. Distinct from the required backcountry permit, the climbing register is offered for (primarily) mountaineering parties to register for a trip, leave information about destinations, expected return date, and contacts for further information and emergency notification. This year discussion in underway to evaluate whether the climbing register should continue to be offered, or discontinued. Changes in the methods of rescue activation (cell and satellite phones primarily) have caused the register to be less useful.

In 2008, 352 parties filled out the voluntary climbing register form at one of the ranger stations. Of those, 15 were incomplete, lacking important information on time of return and/or routes to be climbed. Roughly one third left out information important for rescue operations, such as an emergency contact person. Fourteen parties did not check back after completing their trips. Despite these shortcomings, the program and its costs are deemed to be justified if even one rescue initiated for an overdue party results in a life saved.

Marijuana Growing Operation
Given the ruggedness of North Cascades terrain, the discovery of a marijuana growing operation in the North Cascades National Park Complex was a surprise to park staff. A helicopter flying through the Ross Lake Recreational Area spotted rows of plants high off the East Bank trail that looked inconsistent with natural vegetation. Further investigation revealed five marijuana growing plots totaling 4.7 acres. This was a first for a National Park in the state of Washington. Federal and State law enforcement officers raided the sites and destroyed 16,742 plants with a street value of over $48 million dollars. Park resource damage was caused by terracing of steep terrain, cutting trees, building fences, spreading of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, installing wildlife traps, impounding creeks and installing irrigation systems, and building living quarters and areas of human waste. Over 1000 pounds of garbage was flown and hiked out. According to NCNP plant ecologist Mignonne Bivin it would cost the National Park $88,000 to rehabilitate the affected sites. The appearance, location and techniques used here are consistent with Mexican drug cartel organizations and are similar to marijuana cultivation plots recently discovered in several National Parks in California. No other grow sites have been discovered to date and the rangers at North Cascades National Park are determined to prevent a recurrence.

Search and Rescue (SAR) Training
New and returning staff participated in a wide range of SAR training. These included snow travel and crevasse rescue (held on Mount Baker’s Easton glacier), low and high-angle litter carryout and patient packaging, and a high-angle training exercise conducted with rescue volunteers from Seattle City Light in Newhalem. Other training included the use of GPS receivers in a four-hour mock search. Two pilots and all five climbing rangers were certified for STEP (one skid, toe-in and power-on-hover helicopter exit and entry). This technique is used in rough or technical terrain where landing would not be possible. One pilot and all climbing rangers were certified for short haul operations, which are used when steep terrain or severe conditions preclude a STEP operation or when the patient needs to be evacuated in a litter from remote cross-country areas. These techniques enhance the ability of NCNP staff to perform SAR operations. Selected 2008 search and rescue statistics and incident descriptions are in the sidebar.