A Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park volunteer who was reported lacking was discovered lifeless on Sunday, Feb. 2, the Nationwide Park Service (NPS) mentioned in a news release.
Ann Houghton, 73, was purported to depart for a hike across the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park in North Carolina between Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Wednesday, Jan. 29. Her automobile was discovered on the Smokemont Campground, and he or she was reported lacking to the park on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Native legislation enforcement and search and rescue workers started a seek for Houghton the day she was reported lacking. They looked for her within the Smokemont space, particularly across the Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge and Enloe Creek trails, per the NPS.
Houghton’s physique was found round 1 / 4 mile off the Enloe Creek Path simply earlier than 2 p.m. on Sunday.
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Houghton was a resident of Jackson County, N.C. She volunteered for the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park for over 20 years and labored over 4,000 hours as NPS front-line consultant.
In 2022, she was nominated by the park for the NPS George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Excellent Volunteer Service.
“Ann quietly attracts from first-hand, boots-on-ground expertise in interplay with curious guests and new members of workers,” the announcement of her nomination learn. “She has a present for sharing very important info with youngsters and adults, whereas giving them area to contemplate ideas and proceed self-guided exploration, however usually via a extra wide-view, accountable lens.”
Houghton served as a Path Maintainer, Cemetery Assistant, Native Crops Gardener, Demonstrator for Particular Occasions, Parkwide Litter Patrol Volunteer and Depart No Hint Ambassador. Most of her time was spent working in customer providers and useful resource stewardship at North Carolina’s Oconaluftee Customer Middle and surrounding Mountain Farm.
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“Ann was an everlasting and beloved member of our Smokies Neighborhood. She was a devoted volunteer and avid hiker who shared her ardour for the park with many guests,” Charles Sellars, performing superintendent of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, mentioned in an announcement Sunday, “Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park provides condolences to her household and pals.”
The NPS is investigating her demise.
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A consultant for the NPS didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s request for extra info on Monday.
