Lacking Nationwide Park Volunteer, 73, Discovered Lifeless

A Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park volunteer who was reported lacking was discovered useless on Sunday, Feb. 2, the Nationwide Park Service (NPS) stated in a information launch.

Ann Houghton, 73, was speculated 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 she or he was reported lacking to the park on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Native legislation enforcement and search and rescue employees 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.

Houghton was a resident of Jackson County, N.C. She volunteered for the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park for over twenty 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 employees,” the announcement of her nomination learn. “She has a present for sharing very important data with youngsters and adults, whereas giving them house to think about ideas and proceed self-guided exploration, however typically by 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 Go away No Hint Ambassador. Most of her time was spent working in customer companies and useful resource stewardship at North Carolina’s Oconaluftee Customer Middle and surrounding Mountain Farm.

“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, appearing superintendent of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, stated in an announcement Sunday, “Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park presents condolences to her household and buddies.” 

The NPS is investigating her loss of life.

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A consultant for the NPS didn’t instantly reply to PEOPLE’s request for extra data on Monday.