Saturday, January 26, 2013

DEATH VALLEY '49er DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE

Elijah Collard  will be premiering his documentary "Hiking History: The Death Valley Escape Trail" Saturday, February 9th, 2013 in Panamint Springs, CA.

 Elijah's father, Leonard Collard, (with the help of others) erected the Death Valley Escape Trail (ET) signs along with the Rogers Pass, Fish Canyon, Silent Seplechre, and Father Fish Death site signs.  In 1992 they hiked (with a film crew) the first 60 miles of the trail from Bennett's Well (DV) to Indian Joe Springs (Trona).  It has taken him over 20 years to complete the documentary, but it is now finished.  

Highlights of the Documentary include:
Narrator: Gene Evans - 3 time Emmy Nominee
Hikers interviewed include: LeRoy and Jean Johnson, Leonard Collard
Interviews: John Southworth, Ed Rothfuss (former Supt. of DVNP) and many more.
Music: John Lee Hooker
 
Premiere information:
Hiking History: The Death Valley Escape Trail (Premiere)
Saturday Evening Feb. 9, 2013 - 9:00PM to 10:00PM
Panamint Spring Resort Restaurant (Panamint Springs, CA)
FREE Admission
The restaurant will close at 9PM so come early to eat.  The Bar area will remain open during the show.
Please support the restaurant in appreciation for the use of their facility.

Documentary Trailer Link to Youtube:
http://youtu.be/HaJO2hdXWog
NEW DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT

SAN FRANCISCO – Kathy Billings has been selected as the new superintendent for Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada. Kathy is currently the Superintendent at Kaloko-Honokōhau and Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Parks in Hawai`i. She will begin her new position in mid March. She replaces former superintendent Sarah Craighead, who left in November to become superintendent at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.

“Kathy’s breadth of experience will be a great asset for the park,” said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “Her background managing many different types of parks makes her an excellent choice to oversee the varied and complex issues at Death Valley.”

During her career of 29 years, Kathy has worked and lived at national parks located in all four deserts of the United States, including Big Bend National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert; Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert; Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the Sonoran Desert; and Great Basin National Park in the Great Basin Desert. She has served as superintendent at USS Arizona Memorial (now World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument), Great Basin National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Pecos National Historical Park.

Kathy and her husband Dick are originally from Southern California. Kathy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The largest national park in the United States outside of Alaska, Death Valley is well known for its extremes, especially in temperature and elevation. The park recorded the highest temperature on record anywhere in the world, 134 degrees Fahrenheit, in 1913. Within its borders is the lowest point in North America at Badwater, 282 feet below sea level, only a few miles away from the summit of Telescope Peak, rising to over 11,000 feet. The park is also widely recognized for its colorful landscapes, and for its equally colorful history. More information about Death Valley National Park is available online at www.nps.gov/deva.

“I am humbled and thrilled to be offered the opportunity to work with the community and staff of Death Valley,” states Kathy. “It is exciting to return to the desert and continue to learn about the desert environment, diversity of the resources and incredible culture of the area. I look forward to joining the park team in advancing the stewardship vision for Death Valley National Park.”