Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 46.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

El Portal
Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Wawona
Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

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PARK AND PARTNER NEWS

Gathering to Remember Ryan Hiller
On Friday, January 23rd at 3:00 pm there will be a gathering to honor and remember former NPS Ranger Ryan Hiller. We will meet in front of the Valley Visitor Center where there will be flag ceremony and group photograph taken for the Hiller family. Immediately following, refreshments will be offered in the East Auditorium for folks to gather and share stories about Ryan. Uniform for the day will be winter Class A, if available. We are compiling a photo and remembrance book for the Hiller family. If you would like to contribute please email: Jeff_Webb@nps.gov. The Superintendent has authorized that employees on duty may attend this gathering on work time. In lieu of flowers the Hiller family has asked that donations be sent to Friends of YOSAR. (J. Byerly - 1/24)
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Yosemite in the News
Permits required for Yosemite's Half Dome, with a twist
Lottery system is designed to make process more fair
By Marek Warszawski
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/01/18/2688552/permits-required-for-yosemites.html
Permits will again be required to hike to the top of Half Dome this year, but a new lottery system should make the process more fair……

California storms roll in, causing 1 death
Bee Staff Reports
http://www.modbee.com/2012/01/21/2035914/storms-roll-in-causing-1-death.html
A pair of wet winter storms swept through California before dawn Saturday, dumping snow in the Central Sierra and bringing rain to the parched Northern San Joaquin Valley. At Yosemite National Park, officials reported Saturday that an employee died when strong winds uprooted a huge tree that fell on his tent cabin…. (K. Cobb - 1/24)
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Highway 120 - Big Oak Flat Road Closed in Yosemite National Park - news release
Large Rockfall Closes Park Road Indefinitely
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Due to a large rockfall that occurred at approximately 11:30 [Sunday] evening, the Big Oak Flat Road (the continuation of Highway 120) is closed in Yosemite National Park. The road is closed between the Foresta Junction on Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Rd.) and the Highway 120/140 (El Portal Road) Junction. Yosemite Valley remains accessible via Highway 140 (El Portal Road) coming from Merced/ Mariposa and via Highway 41 (Wawona Rd.) coming from Fresno/Oakhurst. The Tioga Road remains closed. Foresta Road, between Foresta and El Portal, is not accessible. Yosemite National Park remains open. With a winter storm currently in the park, chain restrictions are in place on some park roads. For 24 hour road and weather information, please call (209)372-0200. The Big Oak Flat Road will remain closed indefinitely. (S. Gediman - 1/24)
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Yosemite Rock Fall Year in Review: 2011

Although not as newsworthy as those of recent years, many significant rock falls occurred in Yosemite in 2011. Probably the most spectacular rock falls originated from the north face of Middle Cathedral rock in July. Three distinct rock falls occurred over a period of several weeks, with a total volume of about 120 cubic meters (about 325 tons). Witnesses in El Capitan Meadow captured impressive photos of the falls and subsequent dust clouds. Fortunately rock debris was contained to the talus slope beneath the cliff and did not affect nearby trails or roads. The Middle Cathedral rock falls occurred during very warm conditions and may have been triggered by thermal stresses. Ongoing monitoring by the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey indicates that air temperatures can cause partially-detached rock flakes to deform substantially on both daily and annual timescales.

Another area of notable rock falls in 2011 was Yosemite Falls. On 10 September 2011 a rectangular boulder 2 cubic meters in volume (6 tons) fell from below the upper Yosemite Falls Trail, shattered on a bedrock slab, and fell into the Lower Yosemite Falls amphitheater. Small rock fragments landed in the vicinity of the Lower Yosemite Falls footbridge, but there were no reported injuries. A second and much larger rock fall occurred on 28 October 2011, originating from near the lip of Upper Yosemite Falls. This block, about 20 cubic meters in volume (55 tons), fell from beneath an overhanging roof, skimmed the cliff, and then shattered on impact with the bedrock at the base of the upper falls. Off-trail hikers were present at the base of the falls but avoided injury.

The two most consequential rock falls in 2011 affected park roads. The largest event was not a true rock fall but rather a mass of broken rock and soil that slid onto Foresta Road between Old El Portal and Rancheria during the heavy rain and snow in late March 2011. The volume of this slide was about 1,200 cubic meters (about 3,200 tons). Foresta Road was closed for several weeks as the slide was cleared, and is presently closed again to accommodate engineering of the slope to reduce future slide potential. In the early morning of 7 November 2011, a large boulder (about 18 cubic meters, or 50 tons) and several smaller boulders tumbled from the north wall of the Merced Gorge just east of Arch Rock and embedded themselves in the El Portal Road. Following assessment of the source area, the boulders were removed and the road repaired in time for the morning commute into Yosemite Valley.

Other areas in Yosemite experiencing rock falls in 2011 include Royal Arches, Ahwiyah Point, Half Dome, Glacier Point, the Rockslides, and Hetch Hetchy. In all, there were 53 documented rock falls in 2011, with an approximate cumulative volume of 2,200 cubic meters (6,000 tons). This volume is comparable to the volume that fell in 2010 (2,900 cubic meters) but much smaller than what fell in 2009 (some 50,000 cubic meters); the volume in 2009 was dominated by the large Ahwiyah Point rock fall. Our database of rock falls and other geologic events in Yosemite, begun in 1857, now documents nearly 900 events, making it one of the longest and most detailed landslide databases in the world.

It is very likely that there were additional rock falls in 2011, but these events either were not witnessed or went unreported. If you witness a rockfall of any size, encounter fresh rock debris, or hear cracking or popping sounds emanating from the cliffs, please contact park geologist Greg Stock at (209) 379-1420, or at greg_stock@nps.gov, or contact Park Dispatch by dialing 911 within the park. Predicting rock falls is not yet possible, but understanding the events that do happen is an important step toward this goal. For more information on rock falls and rock fall research in Yosemite, please see the Park’s web page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/rockfall.htm. (G. Stick - 1/23)
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Mist Trail Closure
Wilderness closed the Mist Trail from the John Muir Trail junction to the top of Vernal Fall on Friday, January 20 in advance of this weekend's storms. Vernal and Nevada Falls will still be accessible via the "winter route", using the lower John Muir Trail and upper Mist Trail. (M. Seiler - 1/23)
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NPS Mourns Loss of Diane Nicholson, Regional Curator
Diane Nicholson, Regional Curator of the Pacific West Region, passed away on January 3rd. Diane had many friends throughout the Service, including here in Yosemite. With 35 years in the National Park Service, almost all of which was in PWRO or Golden Gate NRA, Diane was a passionate advocate for the protection of museum and archive collections and professional management approaches. Having a M.S. degree from Texas Tech University’s museum science program, she brought a much needed level of expertise to the NPS program. Her mastery of museum policy, procedures and best practices was second to none.

Diane has been assisting the Yosemite museum program for decades, and was a member of the 2003 Yosemite Museum Management planning team, working under then Chief of Interpretation Chris Stein and Superintendent Mike Tollefson. She had returned numerous times since to lend support during the Yosemite Fund’s three-year Museum Master planning project. In 2011, she participated in the Value Analysis for El Portal warehouse rehabilitations. Her ability to focus in on the hard questions, while retaining a sense of teamwork and humor was widely known and respected.

Diane’s contribution will live on in so many reports, plans and projects--from the 2006 Curatorial facilities Strategy, to her advocacy on the museum management council, to the dozens of museum plans and projects, and all the curators and archivists she has inspired over the years.

We encourage you to visit either the Sharepoint site (http://inpniscsfern1:8000/sites/PWR/PWRCR/Diane/SitePages/Home.aspx) or the Diane Nicholson-Celebration of Life Facebook page to share memories, photos, and stories about Diane, and see how she touched people throughout the National Park Service.

Plans are underway to celebrate Diane's life on Sunday, February 5, 1-4 p.m., at San Francisco Maritime NHP. David Louter, Martha Lee, Craig Kenkel, Cicely Muldoon, and Patty Neubacher are working on assembling a team to put this together, and more details will follow soon on this event.

Jonathon Bayless and Don Neubacher (D. Neubacher - 1/23)
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GSA Auction
The General Services Administration is conducting an internet auction of Yosemite personal property consisting of 4 military trailers and a derrick hoist. For further information regarding the sale items or to register to bid, visit the website gsaauctions.gov. Sale number 91QSCI12087 lots 312 through 316. The sale will close on January 30, 2012. An appointment must be made with Don Ramsey (379-1024) prior to inspection, no exceptions (serious bidders only). Park employees must view the items and bid on their own time. Park employees are allowed to participate in the sale, with the exception of any employee with unfair (nonpublic) detailed knowledge or prior use of an item offered for sale. Such employees are prohibited from bidding on that item, and the prohibition includes their immediate family as well. (D. Ramsey - 1/23)

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EMPLOYEE NEWS

COR Training and ATR Training
PWR Contracting Officer, Jamie Sherrill will be in the park 1/30-31. The COR training will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm in the EP large breakroom. Carolyn Lowan, Frank Powers, Jamie Sherrill and Jody Auerbach will be presenting. The ATR training will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm in the EP large break room. Lilette Baltodano will be presenting. In order for you to receive full credit for the COR and/or ATR training, you have to attend the full 8 hours. **Please, RSVP to Jody Auerbach (379-1227) no later than COB on 1/27. (P. Lendvay Humphrey - 1/24)

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Fire Management to Resume Debris Pile Burning in El Portal and Foresta
Yosemite fire management may resume hand pile burning in El Portal and Foresta with help from the forecasted rain. Localized flames and smoke will be visible but impacts should be negligible and short lived. In an ongoing effort, park, state and private fire crews have created forest debris hand piles in and around the communities of Foresta and El Portal. These piles are being made to reduce biomass and create a 'defensible space' fuel break around Yosemite's vulnerable Wildland Urban Interface communities. Additionally, thinning, piling and burning can restore fire dependant ecosystems and set the stage for the progressive management of future natural or prescribed fires. Please contact Kelly Singer @ 372-0413 or Taro Pusina @ 375-9576 with any questions. (T. Pusina - 1/20)
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Village Store Closed

The Village Store will be closed for remodeling beginning Tuesday, January 17th and will reopen on Thursday, February 16th @ Noon. (1/18)
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UPDATE - Foresta Road Closure thru 2/29/12 - Slide Repair Between Rancheria and Old El Portal
The current road closure along Foresta Road will continue thru the end of February 2012. Due to the unseasonably dry weather crews made good progress on the upper (cut) slope stabilization and it is nearly complete, however the steep slopes required much of the work to occur with hand labor, so they were not able to make as much progress as planned. The remaining work includes the final seeding and mulching along the upper slope, then installation of a retaining wall along the lower (fill) slope, and then the final curb and pavement repairs. (M. Pieper - 1/6)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Erin "Echo" Davenport (379-1067) will be Acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and Compliance from Monday, January 23 to Friday, January 27.

Jack Hoeflich will be acting Valley District Ranger until further notice.

Julie Byerly will be acting Deputy Chief Ranger from January 2 for the next several weeks.

Andy Fristensky will be Acting Deputy Chief of Interpretive Operations until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0599.

Jeffrey Trust will be Acting Yosemite Valley Field Interpretation Supervisor until further notice. He may be reached at 372-0307.

Ron Watson will be the Acting Supervisory Information Technology Specialist until further notice. He may be reached at 379-1074.

Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) is on a detail as the Park Archivist. If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Yosemite Winter Club Snowball
The Yosemite Winter Club Snowball 2012 is this Friday! Get your tickets and be reunited with all of your winter play pals. Together, you can socialize and dance the night away while inspiring Mother Nature to bring more winter white to Yosemite. The Snowball will be held Friday, January 27, 2012 from 6-10PM at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. The evening will feature live music with the Adam Burns Band, fantastic food and festive beverages, a silent auction and great company. So... save the date, get your tickets on the Yosemite Winter Club website, call all your pals and pack the kids--because it will be a great night and you don't want to miss it. Bonus!!! Check out the new rate for the event and if you are interested, there are also a limited number of discounted room rates in the Valley associated with the event. Go to yosemitewinterclub.com and check it out. See you there! (S. Potocky - 1/24)
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Live Music at the Carabiner
The Pimps of Joytime are coming back to Yosemite for their annual Carabiner performance this week. They will play a live show on Thursday 26th from 9pm until Midnight. There will be a cover charge at the door of $5 cash. Please remember that all Yosemite community members are welcome at this and all events! Valid ID is required, no backpacks or outside alcohol please. Hope to see you there! Check out www.pimpsofjoytime.com/ for more details on the band. (E. Brosk - 1/24)
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Bicycle Repair Night
Bicycle Repair Night from Sustainable Action is happening at Sal's in El Portal on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. If you are interested in checking out a bike from our Bike Library, email Kate to arrange to pick up a bike at Sal's or inquire there to set up a later date. Contact Sustainable Action at info@sustainableaction.org. (K. McHugh - 1/24)
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Yosemite Child Care Center Hiring

The Yosemite National Park Child Care Center is looking for a kind, loving, fun professional and creative person to be our Lead Teacher at the Yosemite Valley center. We are committed to providing the highest quality child care and preschool education to the children of Yosemite Valley and would love to have you as part of our team! Our benefits package includes annual leave and sick leave. Position is full time at $13.50 per hour. For further information, please call

(209)769-1512

or email

lauriecyu@hotmail.com

. (L. Yu - 1/23)

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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Tuesday, January 24, 2012