How does the National Park Service keep the presidents looking pristine? In this episode of Podcasts with Park Rangers we discuss Mount Rushmore preservation efforts with the Assistant Cheif of Interpretation, Blaine Kortemeyer. We learn about his unique role on the Rope Access team — a unique group of Rangers who see eye to eye with the presidents for the sake of maintenance.
 
Show Notes found at: https://www.virtualkamper.com/pwpr16/
Help keep the show on the road: https://www.patreon.com/virtualkamper/

Podcast Resources:

* Mt Rushmore: The Story Behind An American Icon – Episode 15
* NPS Website for Mount Rushmore National Memorial
* Mount Rushmore’s New Preservation Technology
* Wallace Stegner
* Discover more Podcasts with Park Rangers episodes!

Topics Covered

* About Ranger Blaine Kortemeyer
* The Rope Access Team and Mount Rushmore Preservation
* Eye To Eye With The Presidents
* Geological Flaws of Mount Rushmore
* Monitoring The Sculpture
* Sealing The Cracks
* What’s Rope Access Work Like?
* The View Atop Mount Rushmore
* Vegetation on the Sculpture
* Laser Scanning
* Ranger Blaine’s Love For Mount Rushmore and the NPS
* The Mount Rushmore Society
* Thanks to Our Listeners – Let’s Connect More!

 
About Ranger Blaine Kortemeyer
Ranger Blaine is the Assistant Chief of Interpretation at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. He started as a seasonal ranger at various sites across the US and returned to his home in South Dakota to work at the sculpture in 2001.
He decided to become a park ranger to continue service to our country. After High School, he went into the Marine Corp, where he developed a sense of patriotism and service to his fellow citizens. So, becoming a park ranger after that seemed a logical step as he headed into college where he could continue that service today.
The Rope Access Team and Mount Rushmore Preservation
A team of Rangers from a variety of roles in the park work on the Rope Access Team to preserve Mount Rushmore. Everyone is required to be at least a level 2 rope access technician.
To achieve level 2, rope access technicians take a written, practical and an oral test on the intricacies of rope access work as well as compile 500 hours of experience.
Eye To Eye With The Presidents
Ranger Blaine describes being “eye to eye” with the presidents as both inspiring and scary. For many on his team, they don’t have a problem with the height. But, he says he’s struggled from time to time. However, once they begin work on the sculpture, a lot of the fears fade away as they focus on the task at hand.
Geological Flaws of Mount Rushmore
From the very beginning,