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Guide dies attempting to rescue kayaker in Yellowstone Lake

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A commercial guide leading a group of kayakers in Yellowstone National Park died Wednesday after attempting to rescue a client who capsized in the frigid waters of Yellowstone Lake. Timothy Hayden Ryan Conant, 23, from Salt Lake City, Utah, died after rangers responding to a cal for help found in the water in the West Thumb area of Yellowstone Lake, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. One of nine kayakers being led on the trip by three guides had capsized, and was rescued by other guides while Conant was also attempting to assist. Guides brought the client to short before rangers arrived on scene to help Conant. The client was transported to the park clinic and treated for hypothermia. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Yellowstone, fatality, kayak, safety, west thumb

Yellowstone hiker dies after apparent fall

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MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WYO. – After a day of searching for a missing hiker, crews in Yellowstone National Park on Friday found the body of man who park officials believe died following a fall. Jeff Murphy, 53, from Batavia, Illinois went for a day hike June 7 on the Rescue Creek Trail near the park’s North Entrance. The park initiated the search on June 8 when Mr. Murphy’s wife reported that he failed to check in. Murphy’s death appears to have resulted from a fall on Turkey Pen Peak, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, fatality, safety

Report on fatal Yellowstone grizzly attack stresses importance of bear safety guidelines

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A few grizzly bears have been spotted emerging from hibernation in Yellowstone National Park.

There's no guarantee of safety when hiking in grizzly country, but following a few basic safety guidelines can reduce the odds of having a bad encounter with a bear. Unfortunately, too many hikers either don't know those basics, or ignore the advice that experts offer. That's one of the key findings from a report released Thursday by a panel that investigated the death of Lance Crosby, who was killed in August by an adult female grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Wildlife, Yellowstone, fatality, grizzly bears, safety

Rangers trap grizzly after fatal bear attack

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Rangers in Yellowstone National Park have trapped a grizzly bear in the same area where a hiker was found dead last week after being attacked by a bear. Officials are conducting DNA tests to determine if the trapped bear is responsible for killing the hiker, and say they plan to euthanize any bear connected to the attack. Lance Crosby, 63, from Billings, Montana, was found dead at around noon on Friday, less than a mile from the Elephant Back Loop Trail in a popular off-trail area near Yellowstone's Lake Village. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, bear management, fatality, grizzly bears, lance crosby, safety

Hiker found dead in Yellowstone was attacked by grizzly

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Investigators have concluded that a hiker found dead on Friday in Yellowstone National Park was attacked by a grizzly bear, and park officials are working to trap and kill any bear determined to be involved in the incident. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined, but a preliminary investigation found what appear to be defensive wounds on the victim’s forearms. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, fatality, grizzly bears, safety

Yellowstone investigating death of hiker found near Lake area

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Authorities in Yellowstone National Park have closed an area to public access while they work to determine what caused the death of a hiker found by a ranger at around noon today. A Montana man who worked in the park had been reported missing by co-workers Thursday morning. Park officials have not released the man's name or additional details about the incident, pending notification of family members. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, fatality, grizzly bears, lake

Grand Teton dorm fire leaves 1 dead, 4 injured

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One person died and four others were injured Friday during an early morning fire at the Grand Teton Lodge Company’s Colter Bay employee dormitory in Grand Teton National Park. The fire was limited to a single dorm room, and adjacent rooms sustained smoke damage. Approximately 70 people were evacuated from the two-story dormitory building and all were assessed for injuries and/or smoke inhalation by park emergency medical service providers. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Grand Teton, fatality, fire, grand teton lodge company, housing, safety

Wyoming climber killed in Grand Teton avalanche

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A helicopter heads toward Garnet Canyon in this file photo from April 2011 taken during a search for two lost skiers in Grand Teton National Park. Two snowboarders were rescued Feb. 13 after mistakenly riding into Granite Canyon. (National Park Service photo by Jackie Skaggs — click to enlarge)

A Wyoming man was killed in an avalanche Sunday while climbing in Grand Teton National Park. Three other climbers were rescued by helicopter, including one who sustained life-threatening injuries. Luke Lynch, 38, of Jackson, Wyo. died when he was struck by an avalanche in the steep Sickle Couloir on the northeast face of Mount Moran. The snowslide swept Lynch and two others downslope for approximately 500 feet over rock and ice covered terrain. Also injured was Stephen P. Adamson, Jr., 42, and Brook Yeomans, 37. A fourth climber, Zahan Billimoria, 37, escaped injury. All of the climbers are from Jackson. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Grand Teton, avalanche, climbing, fatality, mount moran, safety

Death In Yellowstone: True stories of park’s fatal perils

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Yellowstone National Park historian Lee Whittlesey is the author of "Death In Yellowstone," a compilation of true stories about the park's fatal perils.

Don’t bother asking Lee Whittlesey about his favorite Yellowstone ghost stories. He doesn’t believe in ghosts. He doesn’t need to. The Yellowstone National Park historian knows horror stories far scarier than made-up specters. They are haunting, disturbing and particularly terrifying because they actually happened. These are the stories of people falling into boiling water, of wild animals attacking and feasting on flesh, and the unsolved mysteries as to whether a person fell or was pushed. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Yellowstone, death in yellowstone, fatality, lee whittlesey, safety

Yellowstone investigating death of concessions worker

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Authorities in Yellowstone National Park are investigating the death of a concessions worker who had been reported missing after failing to show up for work. A search began on Tuesday for Kassandra “Kassie” Wieferich, who had reportedly missed several shifts at work and failed to meet a family member the previous afternoon as planned. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Yellowstone, fatality, old faithful lodge