Remembering Kate Heuther

This afternoon, I've been thinking about a SCA Alumni, Kate Heuther.  Kate was a Conservation Intern at Mt. Rainier during the summer of 2006, where she worked for the Interpretation division.  Her body was found this past Sunday afternoon below Table Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge on March 14, ten days after she had left to go hiking.  Kate was 24 years old, studying at Portland Statue University.

The details of the story are of little importance for this blog, nor appropriate;  Acknowledging a fellow individual with the heart and passion to help drive the efforts of conservation is important. 

Perhaps a safety reminder to those of us who frequent the mountains after work, on our weekends and extended time off is in order.  Even if it's just for the day, remember to let someone know where you're going, when you expect to return and bring adequate clothing, water and safety equipment.  Accidents happen and we can prepare for them.  Perhaps you don't have a child of your own.  Imagine the flow of emotions you'd epxerience if it were your loved one, best friend, brother or sister who'd gone missing, without any vital information.  It may tag on a few extra minutes to leave a detailed note before you head out on the trail and it may save your life.  It will at the very least not leave those who care about you wondering if you don't come back.

Don't let's forget this story or Kate.  Let's learn from it.

This is the best article I've been able to find online.

Array of Sunshine

This past week, the administrative head quarters building for North Cascades National Park got a bit of a green face-lift.  Solar Panels!  It was a pleasure to see the project be completed in such a timely manner, thanks to Whidbey Sun & Wind, out of Coupeville, WA. 



The company, celebrating it's 10th year in business, is licensed as both a general and electrical contractor.  Not only do they do great work, they are fun to be around! 

The building at 810 State Route 20 in Sedro-Wooley, WA is leased by the Mount Baker Ranger District of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with subleases to North Cascades National Park, U.S. Geological Survey, North Cascades Institute and Discover Your Northwest. 

Puget Sound Energy estimates that the 32.2kW solar photovoltaic system will reduce the building's power costs up to 40% and provide about 14% of its power.  With a 35 year lifespan, we're talking significant savings.

Wait...solar in the Pacific Northwest? There's no sunshine up there, just rain clouds and flannel, right?


True, Northwestern Washington does have its fair share of cloudy and overcast days each year.  However, today's Solar array technology paired with efficient PV inverters does not require intense, direct sunlight to capture the sun's energy and convert it to electricity.  In fact, the moderate year round temperatures in the Skagit Valley will wreak much less havoc on the array compared to the fluctuations (freeze-thaw) that occur in higher elevations and actually improve efficiency of the system.  Not only that, they're tough, too. 

"Yeah, they're pretty bomb-proof," says Byron, one of Whidbey Sun & Wind's solar panel installation experts.

"They're really built to withstand impact from stuff like, you know, hail and birds."

Sara Hammond, Sustainable Energy Manager at Point Reyes National Seashore, explains that “higher temperatures increase electrical resistance, which lowers the percentage of power output. This effect is known as Temperature Coefficient of Power. Output begins dropping at 20°C (68°F)."

That said, Sedro-Woolley is in a similar boat.  Cool temps year round mixed with mainly overcast (only 71 days per year of sunshine in Seattle) may just be the perfect recipe for efficient solar panel technology.

Hopefully, the array will attract the attention of visitors to the Park more than our avion friends, but if we have to take out a few pigeons in the process, that's the breaks. 

The south aspect of the building not only is home to the new array but is also the main entrance for visitors. 



Front desk staff will undoubtedly receive questions about the improvement and our staff and volunteers are ready to answer them.