Bio & Incident Details
Age: Not available
Tour: Not available
Badge # Not available
Cause: Exposure
Incident Date: 10/29/1963
Weapon: Not available
Suspect: Not available
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Ranger Ralph Heath died of exposure while attempting to rescue a woman on Mount Katahdin during a snow storm.
On Monday October 28, 1963, two women climbed to Baxter Peak on Katahdin by way of the Cathedral trail, arriving at the summit at 1:30 PM. After lunch, the two women started out across the Knife’s Edge and became separated. The two continued on their chosen routes and were in verbal contact until one relayed that she was stuck and could not go up or down. The second woman descended to Chimney Pond campground by way of the Dudley trail and alerted Ranger Heath of the situation. At approximately 11 PM the weather changed drastically with a storm that deposited two feet of snow over the course of following next twenty-four hours, and Ranger Heath made two attempts to reach the stranded woman. The second attempt was made at 6 AM October 29 from the base of the Knife’s Edge in an effort to reach the woman from below, this was the last known action made by Ranger Heath. At some point that day, Ranger Heath and the woman succumbed to the elements. Their bodies were recovered the following May.
