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Show Rimrocked visitor rescued by Rangers A rimrocked visitor was rescued from a precarious precari-ous fin 200 feet above Partition Arch in Arches National Park Friday evening, ev-ening, June 6. Park Rangers Allen K. Crandall and Jim Stiles effected the rescue with technical rope climbing equipment and expertise, and with the assistance of an unnamed park visitor. Andy Morabito, 26, of Patterson, New Jersey, was hiking in the Devils Garden section of the park when he found himself rimrocked on a narrow fin above Partition Arch on the Devils Garden trail. . Another hiker in the vicinity notified seasonal Park Ranger Allen Crandall Cran-dall of the emergency at 3: 15 p.m. Ranger Crandall gathered gath-ered necessary equipment and hiked to the scene. He radioed for assistance when he found his approach ap-proach blocked by a 10-foot crevasse, and the stranded hiker weak from thirst and his weakening handhold threatening his stabilized position. Campground Ranger Jim Stiles responded and additional assistance was organized at the Visitor Center. However, with the assistance of an unnamed hiker, seasonal Park Ran ger Crandall managed to cross the crevasse and reach a point directly above the stranded hiker. From that point he lowered lower-ed water to Morabito then lowered a seatbelt secured to a length of rope. With Crandall belaying, be-laying, Morabito climbed to the top. Ranger Stiles maintained a position on the north end of the crevasse and assisted Crandall and Morabito across the fin. The group reched safety at 7:15 p.m. Unit Manager Larry Reed commended his Ranger staff for their expertise and expressed thanks to the unnamed visitor for assistance in the emergency. |