Hiker killed in freak Christmas Eve accident after redwood tree falls on him
A hiker enjoying a walk through Muir Woods National Monument on Christmas Eve was killed after a redwood tree toppled, pinning the man beneath it. First responders were called to the scene and found Subhradeep Dutta, 28, “unconscious and lifeless” beneath the tree. Dutta, of Minnesota, was hiking with two others. One was harmed by falling debris and transported to the hospital. The other hiker escaped injury.
The tree fell on the Hillside Trail and went down due to natural causes following a series of winter storms. Officials say the accident was isolated but that aging trees with vulnerable root systems eroded by rain are common in the Bay Area.
Kick the year off right with a First Day Hike
Start the New Year, and the new decade, off right by heading outdoors on a guided hike. State parks in all 50 states are offering free, guided hikes on New Year’s Day. Last year, nearly 55,000 people welcomed the New Year by participating in a guided hike.
Knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers lead First Day Hikes. The distance and difficulty of each hike varies, but the hikes are family friendly and designed to encourage participation from people of all skill levels. To find a First Day Hike near you, visit America’s State Parks website.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency holds wildlife photography contest
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is accepting entries for its 2020-2021 photo contest. The photos will be published in Tennessee Wildlife’s annual calendar issue. Photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos showing outdoor activities such as fishing, boating and native wildlife species. If a photo is selected for inclusion in the calendar edition the photographer will receive a stipend of $60.
The deadline to enter the contest is March 21, 2020. Photos must be horizontal (landscape), in JPEG format, and submitted on a CD. Resolutions must be 300 pixels/inch and no smaller than 8.5×11. Photos can be submitted online at https://www.stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/calendar_photos.
