Man arrested for climbing Mount Rushmore

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a man for climbing Mount Rushmore National Memorial in western South Dakota.

Mount Rushmore spokeswoman Maureen McGee-Ballinger says the climber was arrested about 2:15 p.m. Monday on federal charges that include trespassing and climbing the memorial. She did not identify the man, who has yet to appear in court.

McGee-Ballinger says the man was spotted on the loose rock directly below the carvings of four presidents, and park rangers escorted him safely down the mountain.

She says visitors and the sculpture were never in any danger. She says similar incidents happen several times a year when people for unknown reasons decide to try to climb the mountain.

Mount Rushmore upgraded its security after members of Greenpeace climbed the mountain in 2009.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com