Rappelling check of Washington Monument ends

WASHINGTON - Engineers who have been rappelling down theWashington Monument have completed their inspection of its exteriordamage from an earthquake.

The National Park Service says the team finished its surveyWednesday morning. The engineers have been removing stone and mortarshaken loose by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23.

Park service officials have said the engineers will provide areport that will help determine how the monument should be repaired.The earthquake caused numerous cracks to form in the 127-year-oldobelisk. But the engineers have said it remains structurally sound.

The inspection began a week ago, but weather caused some delaysand complications. On Friday, one engineer was blown about 30 feetoff the monument's face by a gust of wind. He was not injured.