National Parks Traveler

Kurt Repanshek

Biography

Kurt Repanshek built his journalism career atop a 14-year stint with The Associated Press that saw him rise from a general assignment reporter to correspondent-in-charge for the state of Wyoming. Since embarking on a freelance career in the fall of 1993, his articles have appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Traveler, Audubon, National Wildlife, Hemispheres, Wilderness, and other publications. He launched NPT in August 2005 because of his love, and concern, for national parks.

His other credits include an article on national parks of the world for Microsoft’s Encarta CD-Rom as well as three guidebooks to the national parks. A contributor to the Travel Arts Syndicate, his stories have appeared in the Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Denver Post, and other newspapers.

During his AP career Kurt helped direct and contribute to AP coverage of the 1988 forest fires in and around Yellowstone National Park; covered statewide, congressional, and presidential campaigns, and; closely followed public lands issues in the Rocky Mountain West. A freelance story he wrote on the collapse of the WordPerfect software designer won top honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, Utah chapter.

Kurt's Most Recent Comments (view all)

11/07/2009 11:46 am - True Tales From the National Parks: Get Me Off Devils Tower! : Actually, rock climbing is fairly big at Devils Tower. It, too, is on my to-do list...
11/06/2009 9:36 am - Traveler's Gear Box: A Tent For Every Occasion : Well, there are lots of tents I haven't tried, but I must admit I like REI's Quarter Dome UL for solo jaunts. It's light -- under 4 pounds -- stands up to storms, and is durable. And the pricing was right; I think it was under $175 when I bought ...
11/04/2009 9:19 am - Missing Hiker Found Deceased on Flanks of Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park : Rap, a 73-year-old does not idly go out for a day hike up Mount Whitney....
11/04/2009 8:18 am - Reader Participation Survey: What Was Your Most Fascinating National Park Interpretive Program? : Rick, I'm sure he had a fiddle, not a violin;-) Seriously, that does sound like a great program. I fiddle around a bit, but no way I'd take it out in public. Folks would stone me.
11/03/2009 8:46 am - Great Smoky’s Highway 441 to be Closed Temporarily for 75th Anniversary Rededication Ceremony : For updated road and weather information, call the park at this number: (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631 for road information or extension 630 for a weather forecast. You may wish to write this number down when traveling to the area for handy reference for road ...
11/02/2009 3:19 pm - Missing Hiker Found Deceased on Flanks of Mount Whitney in Sequoia National Park : A lot of unnecessary anger and bitterness here, folks. I hope I have the stamina and ability at 73 to go where Mr. Brunette was going. He obviously wasn't a rookie and he obviously had a love for the mountains. I'd much rather have my time come in such a ...
10/28/2009 10:29 am - House Passes Legislation That Could Lead the National Park Service to Rebuild Road at North Cascades National Park : Thanks Anonymous. Again, politics makes strange bedfellows. What's interesting, of course, is that on one hand he supports the bill, but on the other he doesn't want to tell the Park Service what to do. Can he have it both ways?
10/28/2009 9:32 am - House Passes Legislation That Could Lead the National Park Service to Rebuild Road at North Cascades National Park : Anonymous, Rep. Inslee's comments seem to speak to his opposition, and on the thomas.gov page they're clearly labeled as "dissent." Can you point to a different sentiment from the congressman?
10/28/2009 9:25 am - Reader Participation Day: Is Your Guidebook Actually Bound, Or Do You Prefer Pixels? : You guys are pretty organized. I like the idea of using sleeve protectors with printed pages of specific maps/trail descriptions. Kirby, what do you use to make notes on laminated sheets? Don't they rub off?
10/26/2009 4:17 pm - Forest Service Drawing Line On Mountain Bikers in Potential Wilderness, National Park Service Agrees : Abe, good point, though dogs are already prohibited in national park backcountry. And in the front country they have to be on leashes.

Kurt's Most Recent Articles (view all)

Backup Maintenance Could Take the Traveler Down Tonight

Unexpected maintenance Saturday night could take the Traveler off-line from 8 p.m. MST through midnight.

Glacier Bay National Park Rangers Use Satellite Technology to Help Tangled Whales

Rangers in Glacier Bay National Park respond not only to human visitors in trouble, but also to marine life that need help. A recent case of a humpback whale that became entangled in a polyester line demonstrates not only the quick response of park rangers, but also how satellite technology can play a role in saving whales.

National Park Service Director Jarvis Reminds Employees To Be Ethical in All They Do

In a reminder that they are public servants given a broad responsibility to manage national parks in the public's best interests, National Park Service Director John Jarvis has reminded his far-flung staff to adhere to high ethical standards.

True Tales From the National Parks: Get Me Off Devils Tower!

In the fall of 1941 the Tower made the headlines of the nation's leading newspapers. This was brought about through the fool-hardy stunt of a professional parachutist named George Hopkins. Without the consent or knowledge of National Park Service officials, Hopkins, who held a number of United States and world's records for spectacular jumps, on October 1 parachuted from an airplane to the top of the Tower.

Traveler's Gear Box: A Tent For Every Occasion

Tents are one of the most important pieces of gear you need if you take extended treks into the national parks' backcountry. They truly can make a life-and-death difference in extreme conditions. While they also used to be one of the more expensive pieces of gear, there is a trend to make quality backpacking tents more affordable.

National Park Service Sued Over Termination of Indian Trader at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

A case stretching from the dusty high desert of Arizona all the way to Washington, D.C., has many of the markings of a Tony Hillerman novel -- conspiracy, intrigue, and wrongdoing in Indian country. It also has spurred a lawsuit accusing a number of National Park Service officials with misconduct and wrongful seizure of property belonging to a man described as one of the "last authentic Indian traders."

Mystery Photo Revealed: What's She Smiling About?

That wisp of a smile belonged to Annie Moore, the first immigrant processed at Ellis Island, which you find today at the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

Wolves, Moose, and Nutrient Flows at Isle Royale National Park

How close did you pay attention to the landscape the last time you went for a hike in a national park? Did you notice the variety of trees or plants, the birds, the insects? Could you tell where there had been a fire or a flood? More subtly, could you see where the nutrient sinks in the ecosystem were? Most of us probably can't answer that last question, but researchers at Isle Royale National Park have uncovered some intriguing contributions to the park's biodiversity.

How Many Wolves Are Enough In Washington State?

Wolves have made a remarkable comeback in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since the recovery plan was launched in the mid-1990s. Concerned that the predators will find their way into Washington state, officials there are developing a management plan. But how many wolves are enough wolves?

Skiing On Mount Rainier, Where You Really Earn Your Turns

With all that snow atop Mount Rainier, it's no surprise that folks head to the mountain to make some turns. But those turns are really earned, as there's no lift. This short video shows some turns made the other day following the recent snowfall at Mount Rainier National Park.