SUN JOURNAL • August 27, 2022
In October of 1963, Katahdin hikers Helen Mower, 50, and Margaret Ivusic were working their way back down the mountain along the Knife Edge trail. Although the two were experienced hikers, Ivusic decided to leave the marked trail and bush whack directly down the headwall to Chimney Pond. Mower made it to Chimney Pond and alerted Park Ranger Ralph Heath. With bad weather impending, Heath decided to attempt a night rescue. Six months later, in early spring, the frozen bodies of both Ranger Heath and Margaret Ivusic were located and recovered from the mountain. Former Baxter State Park Supervisor Buzz Caverly saw to it over the years that Baxter personnel, including Rangers active and retired, would gather every spring at the Sherman Mills cemetery to honor one of their own. There is a plan afoot by the current Park Director to discontinue the attendance of Park personnel at the ceremony. Caverly has petitioned the Baxter State Park Authority to impose some permanence on the ceremony honoring Ranger Heath in Sherman Mills. ~ V. Paul Reynolds