Weekend Report 2/15 - 2/16

[Mia Kilborn]

Saturday: The gate opened at 10 and we headed up as one team of four and did some shovelling and PSAR in the parking lot at the request of the rangers. We ensured folks heading into the backcountry knew about the impending weather headed our way and spoke with about 30 people. We then went to reset the 4th Crossing pole and checked out the conditions in the Mazama back bowls. We then travelled to the base of pan face via Edith creek. We saw much fewer people out and about for a holiday weekend but the visibility had definitely deteriorated since the start of our day. When we got back to the parking lot the LE’s decided to require chains on all vehicles leaving the lot including AWD, 4WD, and park vehicles! Nordic stayed until the lot was clear, helping to stop all cars attempting to exit the lot without chains. LE dealt with cars without chains. Through this, we discovered that the chains in the older park truck did not fit the tires. We were able to get chains onto the newer park truck and all rode down in that together while a winter tech drove the park truck down without chains. Kevin is working on getting chains for the older truck, and so the park has taken in back, leaving nordic with just the one vehicle. Next lead should check with the park ahead of the weekend to determine whether there is a second vehicle available to us.

• Martell did her first mock lead on Saturday! Thank you Martell!

Sunday: The gate was not projected to open, and Nordic advised 1 guest patroller + 2 day patrollers, who decided not to come. Sunday morning we found the projected snow did not come to Paradise and the gate opened to the public at 10. One day patroller (Sherry) planned to join us for a snowshoe trip up Eagle peak but experienced car issues Sunday morning and had to stay home. Nordic team of 3 patrolled up Edith Creek basin from JVC to the base of Pan Point. Conditions were whiteout, navigated by memory and GPS! Nordic reset poles on the bridge at Myrtle Falls (Closed) and re-routed from the snowbridge beside the real bridge up to 5600' where travel safer (no creek holes). We used the poles stashed just above the bridge to mark the detour. We saw 0 visitors approaching Pan Point before 1pm, then turned down to chat with visitors lower down. Visitors stayed low, within trees, which was great with the lack of visibility. We reset the xx poles blocking the chute N of alta vista. We encountered a visitor with an on-leash dog, which they claimed was a service animal and had a good debrief with LEs about it. Lindsey can you please share the following text with the full patrol? After submitting an observation to NWAC in the old station, we grabbed another quick lap from Paradise before heading out to clean up the house.

Monday: Patrol cancelled due to attendance. Reminder to decide by Wednesday when cancelling and inform patrol director and weekend coordinator so that signups get closed on time.

Notes for next patrol:

1. There are lots of all the sign in sheets, but the daily patrol sign in sheet has a QR code for the 2023/2024 season. I've attached an updated sheet with a new QR code. Please recycle all the sheets in the binder and print new ones!
2. We don't have park keys this year, and this is expected (though not really intentional). You'll have to knock on the EOC to get in, for example.
3. Due to only having one team, and park asking us to go to Paradise, we did not reset any of the pole'd routes. Devil's Dip, Narada > Canyon Y, and Inspiration Saddle > Reflection lakes need to be re-set.
4. Be gentle with the tailgate on the truck we have, David found that if you pull/push too hard on it the R side can pop out of place. It's easy to put back, but just be aware that you don't leave it unattached.
   
5. Chains should go back in the plastic tub in the truck. They're sitting under the R rear passenger seat at the moment.
   

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Note on service dogs - please share with patrol roster

Service animals (dogs - or miniature horses!?) are allowed as long as they are under the command of their human. Typically "under command" means they are leashed, but verbal command is compliant as well. Service animals are not required to be marked. Since service animals are protected under ADA, there are limited questions we can ask. Technically there are two questions we can ask, but the guidance from rangers was to keep it simple, asking:

"Is this animal trained to provide service for a disability?" This is a yes/no question.

If the visitor answers no, then advise them that the animal is not permitted off pavement, and never off leash.

If the visitor answers that it is an emotional support animal then advise the visitor that emotional support animals are not covered under ADA, and therefore the animal is not permitted off pavement, and never off leash.

If the visitor answers yes, leave the conversation there and do your best to ensure the park visitor (and their service animal) feel welcome! The LEs acknowledge that some visitors may lie in order to take advantage, but this is an edge case we can not really determine, so they want us to make anyone who claims their animal is "trained to provide service for a disability" feel at ease and free to enjoy the park. You can inform dispatch of the interaction if desired.

As always, only engage to the point that you feel comfortable. Our mission in this space is education, not enforcement.

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