Existing comment:
Arch Hunting:
Many of the major arches were known prior to the establishment of Arches National Monument. By 1941, Custodian Henry G. Schmidt had documented 97 arches, but his list has not survived. As late as 1970, official literature states that the park contained "nearly 90 arches." Dale Stevens, a geology professor, conducted the first scientific study of arches in the park beginning in 1973. He and his fellow "arch hunters" standardized the methods of measuring natural arches. His work formed the basis of recording arches in the park and inspired a cadre of arch hunters.
Ed McCarrick was an Arches ranger in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and along with Stevens, authored several books on the arches they documented. In the late 1960s, now-retired engineer Doug Travers and his sons began a search for arches, those previously documented as well as unrecorded ones. Travers subsequently developed a database for his own use, which he has graciously shared. Check out the Hunting Arches computer near the indoor arch. Other prominent arch hunters have included Chris Moore, who has documented arches across the United States, Reuben Scolnik, who made helpful suggestions on classification of arches, and Steve Frederick, who located many arches in the inventory. |