The text below appeared in the July 18, 1984 edition of the Daily Herald
Danger Still Exist on Timp Trail
Pat Christian, Herald Staff Writer
More than 100 hikers climbed Mt. Timpanogos last weekend and apparently did so safely, according to the director of an emergency team that responds to mountain accidents.
But danger still exists and one person has already fallen into a crevasse.
Most of the snow has melted off the Aspen Grove trail and the trail is being used substantially, says Wayne Kearney, director of the Timpanogos Emergency Response Team.
Because so many people fell to their deaths into crevasses hidden by snow, a group of local mountain climbers and other specialists organized the TERT group to respond to emergencies.
The group cooperates with the US Forest Service and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and on the weekend establishes a mountain camp in an area where hikers frequently pass.
Kearney said that his teams consists of mountaineers who trained in rescue techniques and other members such as medical and radio specialists.
TERT members have already helped pull a skier out of one crevasse last month. Kearney said the skier was not severely injured but the crevasses that are also called motes have taken several lives in the past.
“Most of the motes have melted through but there are still some located near the cliffs,” said Kearney.
He advises hikers to the easterly slopes of Mt. Timpanogos to stay on the trail where it is safe to travel.
“Those who venture off the trail into the snow fields could find themselves dropping into a hidden crevasse that could be only a few feet deep or nearly 100 feet deep,” he says.
Even a fall of the short distance could be fatal if the victim is unable to climb out.
Hikers can get advice about danger areas or help if they are injured at the TERT camp that is marked by orange-colored streamers.
