Avalanche danger keeps crews from getting to fallen ranger
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SEATTLE -- Despite the clear skies above, avalanche danger has made it too dangerous for Mount Rainier park rangers to retrieve the body of fallen ranger Nick Hall.
After being shrouded in clouds for five days, the mountain was bathed in sun on Wednesday.
"It's bittersweet. I look at that. It's beautifully painful," said Nick's brother, Aaron Hall.
Nick Hall's family arrived in Washington this week from their home in Maine.
"Little Nick, how did you get so big? We have been proud of you, yes. And you are a hero," said Nick's dad, Carter Hall.
A four-year veteran of the Mount Rainier climbing rangers, Nick Hall slid 2,500 feet to his death last Thursday while helping rescue four injured climbers from Texas.
"The family casts no blame and there's no judgement to be made for anyone or any circumstance," said Aaron Hall.
Carter said the family is sustained by deep faith and the belief that Nick answered two calls that horrible afternoon -- one from the mountain and another from above.
"The call of the imperiled climbers and, as the Bible quotes, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,'" he said.
Avalanche danger is preventing teams of climbing rangers from safely getting to Nick's body. His family understands they'll have to be patient.
"There's no need for any other climbing ranger to be injured in this incident, and we're going to get him," Aaron said.
While the Hall family and fellow rangers deal with their grief, life goes on at Mount Rainier with visitors enjoying the sun and climbers making the trek to the summit.
The family will be back on the Mountain on Friday for a memorial service at the visitors center.
After being shrouded in clouds for five days, the mountain was bathed in sun on Wednesday.
"It's bittersweet. I look at that. It's beautifully painful," said Nick's brother, Aaron Hall.
Nick Hall's family arrived in Washington this week from their home in Maine.
"Little Nick, how did you get so big? We have been proud of you, yes. And you are a hero," said Nick's dad, Carter Hall.
A four-year veteran of the Mount Rainier climbing rangers, Nick Hall slid 2,500 feet to his death last Thursday while helping rescue four injured climbers from Texas.
"The family casts no blame and there's no judgement to be made for anyone or any circumstance," said Aaron Hall.
Carter said the family is sustained by deep faith and the belief that Nick answered two calls that horrible afternoon -- one from the mountain and another from above.
"The call of the imperiled climbers and, as the Bible quotes, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,'" he said.
Avalanche danger is preventing teams of climbing rangers from safely getting to Nick's body. His family understands they'll have to be patient.
"There's no need for any other climbing ranger to be injured in this incident, and we're going to get him," Aaron said.
While the Hall family and fellow rangers deal with their grief, life goes on at Mount Rainier with visitors enjoying the sun and climbers making the trek to the summit.
The family will be back on the Mountain on Friday for a memorial service at the visitors center.
