Larimer County Search and Rescue
Mission Reports 2011

01:20 SAR resources were requested to assist Loveland PD in the search for a missing person. Six SAR members and two dogs responded. Subject was located by SAR team, deceased.

Red Line

November 11, 2011 (Friday) Owl Canyon - Missing 2 Year Old

Initial page received at 14:39 for SAR Dogs to respond direct to Owl Canyon to assist in the search for a missing 2 year old. By 14:44 teams were stood-down, the 2 year old had been located.

Duration: hours 5 minuets
Miles to Location: 20
SAR miles: 0
1 Larimer Emergency Services: O3
1 LCSAR SAR managers: Robin A.

Red Line

November 2, 2011 (Wednesday) Big Elk Meadows - Missing 52'YOA Female Hiker

0130 hours: ES paged the on-call SAR manager. ES advised there was a search in progress, by RMRG and the Boulder County Sheriff, in the Big Elk Meadows area. This area is on the border of Boulder/Larimer Counties. The subect was a 52 yoa female, 5'0", 97 lbs, who went hiking on the Wilson Spring trail, near her home. Last seen at 1700 hours previous day. Subject left a note, that she was going hiking on this trail, and would be back in about an hour. Husband came home from work and reported her missing.

The subject lived in Boulder County, and that is why Boulder County initiated the search with RMRG. However much of the search area was in Larimer County. Boulder was requesting our response, essentially to pick up the 2nd operational period. Heavy snow was falling and the roads were in poor condition when Larimer County was contacted. ES made the decision to have only the ES specialist and SAR manager respond initially (at 0130 hours) and get to ICP before paging the team for specific resources. This would allow LCSAR members to get a little more sleep, and allow ES and the SAR manager to evaluate the situation and determine what resources should be requested from LCSAR. Additionally, there were already RMRG searchers and dog teams in the field looking for the subject as part of the initial operational period.

ES and the SAR manager were within a few miles of reaching ICP when radio traffic indicated the subject had been located, in a cabin, and was in good condition. ES specialist and SAR manager were back in Fort Collins at 0530 hours.

ES personnel: 1
LCSAR Members: 1 (the SAR manager)
Other resources (RMRG, Boulder County SO): numbers unknown
LCSAR hours: 4 hours
LCSAR miles driven: 94 miles

Red Line

October 31, 2011 (Monday) Gianttrack Mountain Estes Park - Suicidal Subject

0614 hours: ES advises of a suicidal subject near Estes Park. Subject had not been heard from since 1130 hours the previous morning. Subject had been depressed and left detailed note, indicating an intent to go up the trail near his mother's house. Subject was known to have a 45 cal handgun. Therefore, any SAR member in the field would be escorted by a deputy. Deputies had been searching for the subject since 0300 hours.

Subject's girlfriend was going to meet ES and the SAR team at the ICP to provide scent articles for the dogs. The SAR team and one TEMS team member staged at the Loveland Safeway at 0800 hours, and started up the canyon. While enroute, at 0829, the SAR team was stood down. Law enforcement had made contact with the subject, who was in his vehicle. It is believed subject was armed, and taken in for evaluation.

A. Weaver SAR manager

Resource:
ES - 1
LCSAR - 14 (including SAR manager and ITC)
Other law enforcement personnel and TEMS members: (number unknown)
Miles driven: 120 miles
LCSAR hours: 24 hours

Red Line

October 30, 2011 (Sunday) Lone Pine - Missing Hunter

2135 hours: ES advises of a report for a missing hunter (John) at mile marker 10 on County Road 74E. The subject has called his girlfriend on his cell phone earlier in the evening and said, "If I don't call back within an hour, call SAR because I am definitely lost". Girlfriend did not hear from John after that conversation, and called the sheriff. Subject was a 22 yoa male from the Longmont area.

A request was made to the team for searchers,

A gentleman coming down the trail on dogs & trackers at 2149 hours. At 2205 hours, before fielding but while still collecting resources, the SAR was stood down. Subject had been located.

A. Weaver, SAR manager

Resources:
ES - 1
LCSAR - 7 (including SAR manager and ITC)
Miles driven: 0
LCSAR hours: 1.5 hours

Red Line

October 26, 2011 (Wednesday) Grey Rock - Suicidal Subject

0635 hours: Per ES, report of suicidal subject, from Weld County, that left a detailed suicide note. Intended to walk up the Greyrock trail and leave a white flagging where he was going to leave the trail. It was believed the subject had left his residence the previous day aroudn 1530 hours. Deputies had located his vehicle at the trailhead. At the time SAR was notified, it was snowing heavily, with more snow predicted over the next several hours. The heavy snow began between the time the subject likely left his residence and the time his vehicle was located, so there was a high probability he would be covered in snow. There was some discussion of firearms, but initially it was believed that all of his firearms were accounted for.

There were many large trees down in town, due to the heavy wet snow that prior evening. This also caused some concern about possible conditions on the trail for searchers. Initial SAR members arrived at the trailhead about 1000 hours. O3 and 2 SAR members went up the trail to make an initial search, with 4 other members arriving shortly thereafter and searching areas around the trailhead. Team 1 reached the upper junction with no signs of the subject. Team 2 started up the trail, with the intent of taking the alternative Meadows route. About 1/2 mile from the trailhead, Team 2 shook one of the branches along the trail, covered with snow, to discover a white handkerchief tied to it. Upon further inspection, other white handkerchiefs were located farther off the trail near the drainage. Subject was located sitting against a rock at that location at 1148 hours. Subject was deceased.

Additional resources from the sheriff's office responded (investigations, evidence, coroner), and the subject was carried out to the trailhead at 1430 hours. During the course of the search, one SAR member fell on the slippery trail, receiving a knee injury which required stitches.

A. Weaver, SAR Manager

Resources:
ES - 1
Other SO personnel - 4
LCSAR members - 8 (including SAR manager and ITC)
Miles driven: 200 miles
LCSAR hours: 42 hours

Red Line

October 26, 2011 (Wednesday) RMNP Assist/Chaos Canyon - Missing 20's-Year-Old Male Hiker

It was a cold morning at the Rocky Mountain National Park search and rescue offices. The air temperature was one degree Fahrenheit. It might as well have been zero. The average snowfall report was between 18-24 inches of fresh snow. We knew we were here to search for someone but just didn't have all the details yet. Now it's 7am and time for the mission briefing.

Andy is his name. He's in his early 20's; he carries minimal gear and is lost somewhere in Chaos Canyon. The recent storm caught him off guard. He is cold, tired, and just about out of food and water. All this info comes from Andy himself. Wednesday afternoon he used his cell phone to call 911. With the days getting shorter rangers were only able to perform a quick and hasty search. That's where we come in.

After the briefing and a thorough pack check we departed for the trailhead. Not every role in search and rescue is glamorous. I think all of us in the field want to be the one that gets to save somebody. That's why we do this, we want to help others! However, it seemed 90% likely Andy was in Chaos Canyon and we were tasked to clear Tyndall Gorge. So that's what we did.

We left the Bear Lake trailhead about 9am. Keeping a no sweat pace we made our way up to Dream Lake. In winter it's a good idea not to get wet from sweat. If you have to stop for any length of time you get very, cold very fast. Hypothermia can set in quickly. Plus at our pace we were able to look around us for signs of Andy. Stopping at time to look through binoculars to find him. Calling his name out. And sounding a small portable air horn. About one hour into our search we got our first clue.

snowshoes said he heard someone calling for help up near Emerald Lake. Could this be Andy or do we have another mission? Andy is not supposed to be in this valley! We are all optimistically reserved about this report. We continue on not forgetting to keep our search going by calling and looking for Andy. We not more than 15 minutes up the trail when two more people on snowshoes coming down say they heard someone yelling "HELP" from the west side of Emerald. Now its game on.

We immediately go into action mode. I stop to get some chemical heat packs out of my backpack (they take 20-30 minutes to get warm). I also take a minute to get a drink of water. Dehydration is a big problem for everyone at altitude and in the cold. Not sure what we are getting into I do it now! The rest of the team continues on.

They arrive at the lake just minutes before me and can hear Andy yelling from across the lake. We determine that crossing the lake is too dangerous. The edge is still so soft that we are stepping through the ice. The ice is also creaking and cracking. The north shore of the lake is the easiest route around. But is actually impassable because there are huge ice slabs and rocks breaking free from the cliffs above and crashing down near the water's edge. It sounds like a continuous avalanche. The south side is more stable because it is in the shadows of the mountain. However, it is strewn with huge boulders cover with almost two feet of snow, and full of potholes and pitfalls that can swallow you up! The south route it is.

I stay back at the east end of the lake to perform the duty of spotter as my other four teammates continue around the lake. This is an important role in case something happens to the others as they make their way to Andy. Or even while they are administering care. I would be the only one left who knew what happened and where it happened. Fortunately, all I had to do was stand there and watch them for nearly two and a half hours.

During that time they were taking care of Andy. He had spent a very cold night huddled under a giant house sized boulder. Reports were that he had gotten wet in the lake and his blue jeans and boots were frozen. His sleeping bag, spirituality, and youth are probably what saved him last night. Warm fluids and dry, warm clothes were given to him. A helicopter that was assisting in the search earlier was now bringing in additional medical gear, clothes and warm fluids. Since there was nowhere to land the helo carried the "care package" on a line about 100 feet below the air ship. The package was released by an electronic hook. After all this care was given Andy was able to stand up. And after a few minutes of trying to get his balance and strength back he was determined to walk out!

I can only imagine how difficult the travel was for him to get around the lake. Our team had a hard time even though we were all well rested, fed, and warm. During the patient care time team 1, which had been searching Chaos Canyon, came up and staged with me at the east end of Emerald. When Andy and my teammates got to our location team 1 took all of the additional gear plus Andy's gear from us. We all then hiked back down to the Bear Lake trailhead at Andy's pace. There was no hurry. Andy was casually loaded into the ambulance and was taken down to the hospital without lights and sirens.

Lessons learned. Be prepared! You never know what Mother Nature may bring you. Know where you are and where you are going. A map and compass are great to have but know how to use them. A cell phone can be a great tool. But don't rely on it. If he had been stuck just 20 yards any other direction, we may not have had the same outcome today :-)

120 miles driven (total for 2 vehicles)
Mission time 07:00 ~ 16:00
5 LCSAR members
1 PVH TEMS member
Russell Giesey
L74, SL, R1, WFR
Larimer County Search and Rescue

RMNP Chaos Canyon Mission Blog Posting - Andy Lund

Red Line

October 14, 2011 (Friday) Alpine Assist - Missing 74-year-old Male Hiker

Around 3:00am, page for SARDOC manager to call Alpine SAR reference an assist for a missing 74 year old male hiking in the Lair O' The Bear Park west of Idledale, CO. He had been missing since early evening of the 13th. An avid hiker and he would usually home on time. Alpine was running trails with no luck so Dog resources were requested.

Around 9:00am it was decided to have Colorado Search and Rescue Board (CSRB) pull in more Dogs, Searchers and Trackers to help cover more areas quickly. We sent 9 members down to assist. More reports from the field will follow from those who responded.

Around noon, another call came in from CSRB requesting resources for the following day. They were requesting 60 searchers to hit it hard on Saturday if nothing was found on Friday. We had 10 more gearing up to respond, consisting of searchers, Dog teams and Trackers ready to respond. A stand down call was received not long after, informing us that the subject was found alive and a medical evacuation was underway.

It sounded like our Dog team (Denise Alvord) was getting hits in the area of where he was located and our Tracker (Matt Dinkins) was locating tracks at the vehicle to get identification and also found some up on the ridge above the find location. Clues were found that were believed to be the subjects and another member (Neely Clapp) happen to catch a glimpse of the subject in trees, dressed in camouflage, slumped over and non-responsive to anyone's calls. They assisted in the evacuation and returned home late in the evening. Great job by everyone who was involved and for the great coordination by Alpine SAR for closing this one out quickly!

Red Line

September 16, 2011 (Friday) Monument Gulch - Assist to Two Lost Bow Hunters

22:23 – SAR paged for 6-8 members to walk out two male subjects back to their vehicle. The call was originally for two hikers but it turned out to be two Bow Hunters.

The subjects set out to hunt around noon and had difficulty re-acquiring the trail back to their vehicle. Darkness set in and they felt if they could gain elevation, they could get a cell phone call out. They called 911 to report their situation.

Emergency Services Sgt, Kevin Johnston called the subjects back and asked if by chance they possessed a GPS. The caller did have a GPS application in his cell phone and was able to give their lat-long but had not thought to mark a waypoint for their vehicle. SAR Manager, Mark Sheets plotted their position and called them back advising them they were close to where their pickup was parked (derived from terrain features described by the subjects). They did not feel comfortable using he GPS application to navigate back so it was decided we would come up and assist them.

When SAR arrived at the subject's vehicle, the subjects could hear the motors shut down and started to whistle. Voice contact was made from the staging area immediately on arrival and SAR was in contact with the subjects soon-after.

The subjects were walked out by one ground team while two other teams remained at the point found to extinguish the subject's fire.

Subjects were back at their vehicle by 11:30. All SAR resources were back in town by 01:45.

LCSAR team members: 8
ES: 1
LCSAR hours: 49
LCSAR miles: 445

Red Line

September 8, 2011 (Thursday) Loveland - Missing Alzheimer's Patient

13:43 received page to assist Loveland PD in a search for a missing Alzheimer's patient that left the home 1/2 hour ago. They wanted to get resources rolling right away to help minimize the search area. Information was collected information and the team was paged. Several member heard the radio traffic and were already heading towards the subjects home. Shortly after that, the subject was located and OK. The team was stood down.

LCSAR team members: 13 (including SARM & ITC)
ES members: 2
Other Loveland PD members: ?
LCSAR hours: 8 hours
LCSAR miles: 100 miles

Red Line

August 29, 2011 (Monday) West White Pine - Body Recovery

1609 hours. ES paged the on-call SAR manager for resources for a carry out of a deceased party, from the West White Pine Mountain area. A page was sent to the entire team, requesting a couple ATV certified members along with additional members. Only 14 members were requested (including 2 ATV certified) to assist. The report indicated the subject was approximately 1.7 miles from the road, on a trail. ATV's were requested to assist with getting investigators and gear to the subject. Reports indicate that Fort Collins police had been looking for a despondent party, and through infomation from a friend and/or spouse, it was believed the subject had gone to the Buckhorn Canyon area. Later, a hiker reported finding the subject on the trail, and contacted the sheriff's office.

Prior to the arrival of the SAR team, the coronor and investigators had located the subject's vehicle and were walking into the area. The initial SAR team departed from ICP into the field about 1815 hours, followed shortly by the ATV team. All team members, the ATVs and the investigators arrived at the subject's location within a short time of each other. After the investigators completed their assessment, the SAR team was utilized to bring the subject down the trail using the litter and wheel, to the coronor's vehicle at 2022. The SAR team conducted a debriefing, and resources were back in Fort Collins by approximately 2200 hours.

LCSAR team members: 15 (including SARM & ITC)
ES members: 1
Other SO members: 5
LCSAR hours: 90 hours
LCSAR miles: 600 miles

Red Line

August 28, 2011 (Sunday) RMNP Chasm Lake - Carry Out Assist

1330 hours: On-call SAR manager was paged to contact ICP at Rocky Mountain National Park, who was working an active incident near Chasm Lake. ROMO asked LCSAR to be on standby to assist with a carryout of an injured party. ROMO was attempting to fly the subject out, but the weather was less than cooperative (with rain and thunderstorms passing through the area). If LCSAR was going to be fielded, it would be later in the afternoon, and could likely involve an overnight on the mountain with the subject. Our ITC sent out a page, and began collecting names of members who were willing to respond if needed. And the SAR Manager obtained ES/Sheriff approval to send members on this mutual aid call.

Ultimately, the helicopter was able to get to the subject during a window of weather opportunity, and therefore, LCSAR was not needed and stood down at 1513 hours. 9 LCSAR members had responded to the page, advising they were available for this mission, if needed. No specific information was provided by ROMO regarding the subject or nature of the injuries.

LCSAR members: 11 (including ITC & SAR manager)
ES personnel: 0
Other resources: unknown
LCSAR hours: 1
LCSAR miles: 0

Red Line

August 18, 2011 (Thursday) Pingree Park - Suicidal Subject

1235 hours. The on-call SAR manager was paged by ES, to contact the ES specialist. ES requested LCSAR be on standby to search for a suicidal subject, near Pingree Park. A mountain deputy had located the subject's car, and subject was believed to have a shotgun. ES was waiting to task LCSAR until law enforcement resources could be arranged to escort searchers into the field (due to obvious safety issues). Anticipated resources would be limited to a couple dog teams, trackers, a few searchers, and possibly a couple mountain bike responders. A page was not sent to the entire SAR team, pending details on the specific resources needed.

While ES was enroute to the staging area, the subject was located (condition unknown to LCSAR at time of this report). The SAR team and ES was stood down at 1307 hours.

Resources:
LCSAR managers (2)
ES specialist (1)
Mountain deputies (at least 1)
LCSAR hours: 1
LCSAR mileage: none
A. Weaver, SAR Manager

Red Line

August 7, 2011 (Sunday) Boulder County Assist/Camp St. Malo - Missing 65 Year Old Male

23:51 Received a page to assist Boulder County on search for missing 65 YO male who was last seen heading out on a hike from the St. Malo conference center on hwy 7 south of Estes Park. He had done this many times but had not returned this time. Boulder County had 20 searchers in the field and planned to work throughout the night, but wanted to arrange for a second operations for in the morning. Emergency Services wanted to limit to 10 since it was a busy weekend and Sunday night is usually when we get calls for our own county. 3 Dog teams and support along with 3 trackers and a lead were set up to be at the Incident Command site at 07:00 in the morning. 00:45 we received a stand down page as the subject was located and in good health. No further information was given.

Duration: 1 hours
Miles to Location: 0
Total SAR miles: 100
10 LCSAR Team Members
1 Larimer County Emergency Services: Tony Simons
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Dave Hake

Red Line

August 4, 2011 (Thursday) North Fort Collins - Missing 11 Year Old

19:45 shortly after getting members lined up for the RMNP mission, I got a call from Kevin J. with Emergency Services, saying we may be getting a page to respond to North Shields for a missing 11 year-old that has been missing a good part of the day after heading out of the house to release a frog back into some water. The Sheriff investigators were running Incident Command and we would be a Search and Rescue branch. It was decided to have people respond direct to the area. 19:52 the page went out and a description of the subject was paged out. We ended up with 13 folks, a trailing dog, 2 airscent dogs and one Bike team member hoping another would show up to field with him. (We need to get another group certified soon!). Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) was also on scene and put a team of three together to help clear areas. We had infra-red cameras showing up from other PFA engines as well.

All but one team was in the field when our trailing dog team (Alvord and Westfall) pulled up to the home to start their assignment and they saw the subject get out of a car and walk up to the house. He had released the frog, then walked to Laporte to a friends home and spent the day there. 21:04, stand down page was sent out and all teams returned to Incident Command.

"There's an app for that". When dealing with a search in areas were cell coverage is good, you have all kinds of applications available on today's smart phones that come in handy. Even if you don't have cell coverage, there are many apps that can be utilized in the SAR world. I received an email from one of our teams that fielded with his track data to show the areas they covered. Complete with start and stop time. (see photos). Since I didn't have a good city map handy, I pulled up my cell phone and used Google Maps to find roads to cover. I pulled up the Satellite view to see what kind of ditches or water we had in the area to cover (see satellite photo). We could have used Google Latitude or similar apps to see where our teams were at any given time. Not to mention looking up the pattern of a "Vans" Skate shoe that he was wearing. Technology is getting better and better, and it's time we start learning how to put it to use. Tonight, the subject was never lost or in trouble, but the next time it might not be the case.

Duration: 1-1/2 hours
Miles to Location: 6
Total SAR miles: 100
13 LCSAR Team Members
8 PFA firefighters
2 TEMS units
1 Larimer County Emergency Services: Kevin Johnston
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Dave Hake

Red Line

August 4, 2011 (Thursday) RMNP - Search and Carry Out Assist

18:33 the Sar manager group was paged to call RMNP reference 2 different incidents they need assistance on. By the time I called, the search they had underway had resolved itself. They could still use 5 from us to assist in a carryout of a subject near Bierstadt Lake. Evans, Harms, Chapel, Dave and Debbie Francis were dispatched directly to the SAR cache.

More information when they get back.

Dave Hake

Red Line

July 31, 2011 (Sunday) Pole Hill Road/Estes Park, Missing 7 Year Old

17:34 received a request for SAR team to respond direct to Pole Hill rd. Estes Park to search for a missing 7 year old. The grandmother reported the girl missing after waking from a nap. The 7 year old was eventually found to be safe with her family. SAR Team was stood-down enroute at 18:19.

Duration: 45 minutes
Miles to Location: 43.0
Total SAR miles: 440
27 LCSAR Team Members
1 Larimer County Emergency Services: Whitesell
1 ITC: Mike Fink (pager relays)
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Robin A.

Red Line

July 29, 2011 (Thursday) Poudre River, Request to Assist the Dive Team

17:47 received a request for 6 SAR team members to respond direct to assist the Dive Team in the recovery of a vehicle from the Poudre River near the Grey Rock Tralhead.

Duration: 4 hours 40 minutes
Miles to Location: 24
Total SAR miles: 96
5 LCSAR Team Members
1 Larimer County Emergency Services: Simmons
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Robin A.

Red Line

July 28, 2011 (Thursday) Comanche Peak/Emmaline Trailhead, Overdue Father and Daughter

07:14 received a request for L-1 to contact O-5 reference 2 overdue hikers/mountain bikers in the area of Comanche Peak. The subjects, a father age 57 and his daughter age 23, have been training for the Pikes Peak Marathon. The two had hiked the same area the previous week but were unable to summit Comanche Peak and wanted to retry. They were reported to have left home Wednesday morning before 5 am and were expected to return sometime Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday morning the two were reported as missing by family members.

The SAR team was initially placed on standby while O-5 went to the Emmaline Trailhead to locate the subjects' vehicle. Once the subjects' vehicle was located the SAR team was requested to respond. Eight teams fielded, searching Comanche Peak and the areas to the north, south and east of the peak. One team was prepared to bivy overnight and carried crampons and ice axes due to the reported ice and snow on the Mummy Trail and the area they expected to search. The Park Service had been contacted by O-5 regarding the possibility of sending Rangers into the search area from to search from the Park side but at the time no Rangers were dispatched. Additionally the weather in the area prohibited the use of aircraft.

At 14:51 a Good Samaritan drove into Search Operations with the subjects. The subjects had made it to the Big South Trailhead, about an hour earlier and the Samaritan offered to drive them back to their vehicle. The Father and Daughter had summited Comanche Peak on Wednesday and then decided to bushwhack down a ridgeline back to where their mountain bikes were located. However, the batteries in the GPS they were using went dead and the two missed the ridgeline, going down a more northern ridgeline instead. Locating a trail the two followed the trail and from their description they probably were in the Hourglass area. Near Hourglass they came across a sign reading "No Trespassing $650.00 fine". Rather than incur any fines the two decided to return up the trail they had come. At some point the two decided again to bushwhack, camping near Mirror Lake and building a small fire. In the morning the subjects were able to locate another trail that followed the course of Cache La Poudre River where they had seen some kayakers and this led them to the Big South Trailhead. From there the two had expected to walk back along the road approximately forty miles from the Big South Trailhead to their vehicle parked at the Emmaline Trailhead, until the Good Samaritan offered to drive them.

In all it is estimated that the two covered more than thirty miles in their efforts to self-recover and were well outside the initial search area. Along with the GPS and a fire starter the subjects carry a SteriPEN . Both wore running shorts and T-shirts but carried no packs.

The Subjects' approximate route, as described, is indicated on the map below.

Solid Red: The subjects' route to summit Comanche Peak and their possible route off Comanche Peak. Solid Yellow: The subjects' possible route back into the wilderness after having seen the no trespassing sign. Dotted Red: The subjects' intended route off Comanche Peak.

The Big South Trailhead is located, off the map, to the north of the solid yellow line.

Duration: 12 hours 10 minutes
Miles to Location: 59.3
Total SAR miles: 889.5
2 RMT Trackers
2 LCSAR Mt. Biker Members
4 SARDOC Dogs
10 LCSAR Team Members
1 Larimer County Emergency Services: Whitesell
ITC: Dan F.
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Robin A.

Red Line

July 24, 2011 (Sunday) Horsetooth & Red Feather Areas

-- Horsetooth Mountain Park -- At 17:45 the SAR Managers received a non-priority page for the on-call SAR Manager to call Ranger Jim Hawkins regarding assistance with a 140 lbs. St. Bernard dog. Jim and another ranger were on scene with a couple whose dog had "ripped paws" and was unable to proceed along the trail -- on Spring Creek trail about 1/2 hour at normal walking pace from where they left their truck on Irene Drive. He wondered if we had any special gear for evac of a dog (such as a suspension harness) and I told him all we've done in the past is secure the dog into our standard basket litter and attach the wheel. He said they were just exploring options -- were in the process of making doggie boots out of some clothing -- and if they needed us to respond, they'd make the request via ES. I expected that if we didn't hear from them within the subsequent hour that the hikers and the rangers would have succeeded in getting the dog out to their truck -- and before that hour was up, the pager went off ... but not for this dog mission (continued below).

-- Swamp Creek Cut-off Trail -- At 18:41 the duty SAR Manager was paged to call S17 (Kevin Johnston) reference a lost dirt biker in the Swamp Creek / Bald Mountain area. Over an hour earlier ES had received notification of a SPOT alert, which plotted on a Forest Service road west of the North/Middle/South Bald Mountain trio, and they were enroute with the Support Group with the ATV's. A group of three had arrived early at Beaver Meadows and while waiting to check in to their rooms decided to explore the area on their dirt bikes. The biker in the lead, Stewart, got enough ahead of his two companions that when they were unable to locate him they activated their SPOT beacon in the 'Help' mode (not the 'SOS' emergency button). Kevin discussed possible routes with Lenora Arevalos, Forest Service LEO, and they decided Stewart was most likely on FS-871, which is a 6-mile single track trail connecting the area of the Baldies with the Swamp Creek area -- hence its name of Swamp Creek Cut-off. This trail is too narrow for the ATV's, which is why LCSAR was tasked to walk the trail from each end -- on the west side from FS300 which takes off from Deadman Road, and on the east side from where FS871 intersects Manhattan Road south of Bellaire Lakes. Lenora further advised that the east (lower) end has several sharp drop-off sections along the trail, and suggested we prioritize getting LCSAR searchers there first, especially since we still have a couple hours of daylight. Janice Weixelman responding from Beaver Meadows and Todd Westfall responding from Glacier View were our two closest members and they were tasked with this east side assignment. Moments later, at 19:40, we received the stand-down page advising that the lost dirt biker had been located.

LCSAR members responding: 9
LCSAR mission hours: 10
LCSAR miles: 50
ITC: Dan Fanning(thanks for relaying Dispatch pages to text messaging) SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Kevin Johnston
USFS personnel: 1

Red Line

July 24, 2011 (Sunday) Estes Park/Old Man Mountain - Extracation Assist/Female Stuck in "The Crack"

Kristi and four friends from one of the religious groups at CSU decided to make a Saturday evening foray into the passages of the jumbled rock formation on Old Man Mountain, situated at the western edge of Estes Park. These passages are well known for, and often used as, a confidence building activity, due to these convoluted and constricting passageways. Yet this is not a cave system, just a jumble of boulders on the side of a mountain. Legend has it that this site and these passageways were used by the local Native Americans for ceremonial purposes, and as such they must be preserved as-is.

At about 23:30 on Saturday, as they were exiting that last passageway, Kristi slipped and slid into that same wedge-shaped crack that has trapped at least a dozen other 'plus-size' men and women over the past 30 years. Her friends spent about an hour using a long tow strap trying to free her before calling 911. Every person has slid and wedged themselves into that tapering crevice differently, so it is always a challenge to rig a lifting system that will not aggravate or cause any injury. As usual, when Estes Park Fire Department hears that it is a person trapped in the crack at Old Man Mountain, they automatically request that LCSAR and RMNP respond.

[However, this time we were delayed about a half-hour because yours truly, as the Duty SAR Manager, slept through the first two non-priority SARM pages, at 00:27 and 00:38, and was finally roused at 00:45 along with the rest of the Team by the priority page authorizing a direct emergency response to Old Man Mountain.] Fortunately, in this section of the passages the rock surfaces are smooth, so our subjects usually end up with only a mild case of 'road rash' abrasions. Typically we will rig a chest and waist harness around whatever sections of the torso we can access, with webbing or rescue harness or both, and often use cooking oil as a lubricant between the subject's skin/clothing and the rock surface. However, this can also hasten the onset of hypothermia, due to the overnight chill at this ~8000 foot elevation, so we need to balance that risk-benefit reasoning. Tonight, though, we learned a new trick from the use of the tow strap, because it gave Kristi leverage against which to wriggle as we pulled up on the raising system, and she came free of the crevice at about 03:50. Then we just had to get her up out of the passageway atop the rocks, do a medical evaluation and walk her down to the ambulance, arriving at about 04:30 [she refused transport and the doctor on scene cleared her for traveling back to Fort Collins with her friends]. A quick debrief among all participants and all members were back home by about 05:30 (sunrise 05:52).

LCSAR members responding: 13
LCSAR mission hours: 65
LCSAR miles: 1200
ITC: Dan Fanning(thanks for relaying Dispatch pages to text messaging) SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Kevin Johnston
EPMC Ambulance: 3
EPFD personnel: 10
RMNP Rangers: 3
TEMS Ambulance:

Red Line

July 22, 2011 (Friday) Gateway Park - Medical & Carryout Assist/Female Having Seizures

LCSAR was paged at 12:41 for a direct emergency response to Gateway Park on a report of a 25 year old female having seizures, and she was about 1/2 mile up the trail. She and five others from a Fort Collins hiking group had hiked to the southwest corner atop the dam at Seaman Reservoir -- the 1/2 mile up the trail comes from the distance hikers have to walk along the road, though it is another 1/2 mile from Gateway Park itself to the trailhead along other park roads -- see attached Google Earth image. PFA personnel from Station 7 (in La Porte) and a PVH ambulance crew were able to drive to within about 100 feet of the subject's location, and with the help of the Park Rangers and ES were able to get her down the slope to the ambulance. Likely her seizures were precipitated by dehydration due to the sunny, hot day (rangers estimated it to be in the upper 80's on the exposed area of the dam), as she responded readily to the medical team's ministrations. LCSAR received the stand down page at 13:13, just as Truck 10 was arrival at Gateway Park.

Site coordinates: WGS84 = 40.705238° -105.238261°
UTM = 13T 479872.89 E 4506063.81 N
LCSAR members responding: 5
LCSAR hours: 5
LCSAR miles: 60
ITC: John Lee (thanks for relaying Dispatch pages to text messaging)
SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Dave Mosier
PVH Ambulance Med205: 2
PFA Engine 7 and Brush 37: 6
FC Park Rangers: 2

Red Line

June 28, 2011 (Wednesday) Chaffee County (Missouri Mountain) Assist - Missing Father & Daughter

Six LCSAR Members responded to the initial request for resources for SARDOC dog teams/handlers. Two LCSAR Dog Teams, Jill Reynolds/Skid and Estelle Purvis/Thunder and 4 LCSAR Members as dog support, Mike Verbit, Kyle Clancy, Jacob McDaniel and Lee Lang were on scene at the Missouri Gultch trail head by 7:30 AM. Jill/Skid and Kyle were tasked with clearing a jeep trail/trail located on the north side. Apparently, this involved a creek crossing via Jeep that was "very exciting". The rest of us drove back to IC - approximately 6-8 miles back towards town. Mike was assigned as Dog Support to a non-SARDOC dog team, and Jacob was assigned to a non-LCSAR SARDOC team. I was to support Estelle/Thunder.

Mike's and Jacob's dog teams were to be flown in to 13000 feet and clear areas around the peaks. Because of the high altitude environment, Ops decided that these dog teams required 2 dog team support personnel. Based on this, I was released from supporting Estelle/Thunder (as she was the SARDOC Onscene Supervisor and it was unclear now if she would be fielded) and assigned to the non-LCSAR SARDOC dog team.

Unfortunetly, the military transport has mechanical issues and was running way behind schedule. Ops brought in Flight for Life, who began shuttling people 1-at-a-time to the LZ. The pilot decided to take the lightest person up first to test the conditions.. that was Mike Verbit.. yes Mike was the guinea pig. Soon after Mike left the Blackhawk arrived on scene, because they were heavy on fuel they initially were only transporting 4 SAR members at a time, and eventually changed to 5 SAR members at a time. Eventually transporting Dog Team 2 (Mike and 2 others+dog), Dog Team 2 ( Jacob, Myself, 1 other + dog), Team 3 (4 people) and Team 1 (6 people) to 13000 feet. 1 other team (6 people) were to be transported up, but they were diverted to a technical rescue on Mt. Princeton.

The high altitude teams were not on scene until approximately 11 AM - a very very late start for being high. The teams almost immediately came under inclimate weather that quickly past over, allowing Dog Teams 1 and 2, and Team 3 to mostly finish there assignments. Team 1 was tasked with summiting the 2 14ers there (team one was mostly young Western State "kids").

As Team 1 approached the summit ridge and Dog Team 2 approached a lesser ridge a major storm hit - luckily it had only a short duration of dangerous lightning. Although all teams had to abandon their tasks as the winds/hail/rain increased - gusts were at least 80-90 mph as several team members were knocked off their feet by gusts. Essentially all teams were unsheltered in the storm - either evacing from ridge lines or caught in the meadow. The hail and severe wind lasted for approximately 45 minutes before it subsided enough for all teams to start descending Missouri Gultch trail.

All teams were approximately 2 miles from the trail head when Ops warned that the National Weather Service had just issued a severe thunder storm warning for our region. The storm hit when the teams were approximately 1/2 mile from the trail head.. although luckily most of it appeared to pass just south and east of us.

With all the rain in the area, apparently there was some question weather Jill/Skip and Kyle could get back across the creek via jeep.

During this period Estelle/Thunder was also fielded were fielded in the same area as Jill/Skip and Kyle. Estelle further confirmed that the jeep crossing was "exciting". Ops had a swiftwater team in the area to help evac these teams if the jeep was unable to cross/wash out. The swift water team was also on hand to clear the creek area for the search.

I invite the others to add or clarify as needed. I am not completely clear as to what Jill/Skip/Kyle/Estelle/Thunder encountered because all teams had substantial communications issues so I could hear very little of what was going on with them.... Lee Lang

MSNBC Article

After a total of 10 days from when the father/daughter duo left to hike Missouri Mountain, the search continued on Saturday morning with ~50 personnel including 3 dog teams. Eight members from LCSAR responded to a request sent out on Friday at 17:18, including 1 dog team. The dog team of Jill Reynolds/Skid and 7 searchers including Rob Foster, Mark Desmond, Erin Bossard, Joe Sciacca, Ken Sneed, Kyle Clancy and Mike Verbit met at Incident Command at 6:00. In addition to LCSAR, about 12 other teams/agencies where there to assist the search.

The initial briefing was at 6:45. Most teams were going to be flown in to cover "High Probability" areas with the exception of several teams that were going to continue clearing the valley to the West of Missouri Mountain. LCSAR was divided into three teams: Dog team 1, Jill/Skid and Kyle as support, where assigned to search the ridge line that runs to the north/northwest from the top of Missouri Montain and ultimately finishing at the summit. The climb to the ridge would lead them over snow, loose rock, small cliffs, and some leward cornices to navigate around. They were anticipating a long day ahead. Team 4, Erin, Rob and Mark where assigned to clear area 3, a section that included the top of Missouri Mountain and extended North into the bowl of Missouri Gulch. This area is filled with loose rock, steep slopes and snow that has yet to melt. Team 5, Joe, Ken and Mike were assigned to clear area 6, a small section that ran from the top directly west and south of the ridge assigned to Dog team 1. Getting there would take them on the same path as Jill/Skid and Kyle, but the south side of the ridge had lots of loose rock and cliffs. The plan was to get the dog team in first so as to have a clear run for Skid to work up to the ridge. The other two teams along with 3 other search teams were to go in sequentially after. A Blackhawk helicopter from the Air National Guard in Eagle was our transport into the Missouri Gulch basin and if the weather held out would also be transport out. If the weather turned ugly, all have to walk out to the trailhead.

The Blackhawk was to arrive at 8:00, but didn't get to the lower landing zone until ~9:00. Dog Team 1 along with Search Team 1 (Western State College Mountain Rescue Team) were the first to load. This was Skid's third time "hot loading" into a helicopter, but his first during a mission! They had practiced hot loading twice over the past two years and it was well worth it. In fact as the rest of us looked on, it looked as if Skid was pulling Jill into the helicopter. Jill was so impressed with how he handled himself. He shook a little bit with the sensation of flying, but handled it like a champ. She was very very proud of him!

It was anticipated that the round trip time for the Blackhawk would be about 15 minutes. So it seemed odd that after the first teams left we were waiting for about 30 minutes to hear or see anything. One of the problems we found while in this area was the ability to communicate effectively. Radio communications were limited and so Relay's were placed in stratigic spots to accomodate for this. As soon as Team 1 and Dog Team 1 were dropped off, the helicopter proceeded back down the valley to pick up the other teams. While traveling down the valley, the helicopter crew decided to fly along the slopes just East of the ridgeline travelling North off of Missouri Mountain. About half a mile down the valley the helicopter conducted a series of spectacular banks and turns around a snow field. The helicopter then proceeded back up the valley and landed at the original drop location/LZ. One of the flight crew stepped out of the helicopter and waved Team 1 over. Team 1 loaded up into the helicopter which then took off. The helicopter then traveled back to the snow field and conducted a hovering drop of Team 1 (about 4 foot drop). Once Team 1 was on the ground, the helicopter came back and picked up Dog Team 1. Dog Team 1 was dropped N/E of the snow field where the helicopter could actually set down. On the flight over to the second LZ, Dog Team 1 was informed that 2 subjects had been located which answered a lot of question that Dog Team 1 had. Additional resources, including two Chaffee County SO Investigators and several from Alpine Rescue Team, arrived on scene about an hour and a half later. A low angle lower was conducted using a running belay and a quick snow anchor with a Rescue 8 for a descent control device. The helicopter was loaded and teams began getting shuttled out at 12:24.

After a quick debrief of Dog Team 1 at IC, all LCSAR units were dismissed and returned home. Our team left the scene at 13:30.

LCSAR members fielded: 8 plus Skid
LCSAR hours: ~116
LCSAR miles: ~5600
ITC: Jake Udel
SAR Manager: Dave Hake

Other Teams/Agencies: (might be missing some)
Alpine Rescue Team
Arapaho Rescue Patrol
Rocky Mountain Rescue Group
Front Range Rescue Dogs
Summit Rescue Group
Vail Mountain Rescue Group
Jackson County SAR
Douglas County SAR
Chaffee County SAR N and S
Western State SAR
Buena Vista Correctional Facilities
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Chaffee County Wildland Fire
Air National Guard

Other lessons learned over our 2 days on the search:

1. Always have everything packed. This mission came up very quickly and it helped to have everything already on hand. It makes for a quick getaway.
2. Pack your gear (at least 90% of it) before the mission briefing. After the briefing be ready to go right away. Having to pack gear after the briefing really delays getting in the field and holds other people up.
3. Be flexible. Situations change quickly and one minute you could be ready to be helicoptered and the next minute they've moved you to a different team and different assignment. Smile and nod your head "yes"and things will go smoothly.
4. Be prepared for your own care (meals, hydration) even before the mission starts. You might think you have time for breakfast and then all of the sudden a jeep arrives to take you off.
5. Ask lots of questions. It's amazing how much more info you can pick up about the situation by asking local team members
6. Fitness. This mission reminded me I could do a lot more. We completed our assignment, but it was about all I could do. Only lots of advil and hot tubbing got us going again. No more milkshakes at Bronco Billy's in Leadville!!!
7. Thanks to everyone who went from LCSAR. These folks represented you well and did a marvelous job! I was so proud of being on this team. The peeps from Chaffee were very appreciative!
8. Kudos, kudos, kudos to Kyle! He was with Skid and I on both days and just did an awesome job. What a greatly skilled and professional teammate. Thank you Kyle!

--
Michael Verbit L-75
Larimer County Search and Rescue

9 News Final Report

Red Line

June 25, 2011 (Saturday) Loveland/Ptarmigan Run - Missing Child

19:11 received a request for L-1 to contact S-17 reference a missing 3 year old in the area of Ptarmigan Run, Loveland. The child had been missing 30 minutes. The process for a direct response was initiated, however, the child was located prior to an all team page being sent. A priority stand down page was sent to ITC's and SAR managers.

Additionally, S-17 notified L-1 that O-2 was handling a second potential mission involving the report of overdue hikers in the Pingree Park area. This potential mission was also stood down prior to any team wide request.

Duration: hours 12 minuets
Miles to Location: 14
SAR miles: 5
0 LCSAR Resources
1 Larimer Emergency Services: Johnston
ITC: Amy H.
1 LCSAR SAR manager: Robin A.

Red Line

June 23, 2011 (Thursay) Grey Rock - Missing Hikers

LCSO Press Release - Two Lost Hikers

LCSO Press Release - Hiking Safety

Initial page was received at 18:06 for L-1 to contact O-2 regarding a 911 call from two hikers lost in the area of Grey Rock. The two hikers, from South Dakota, had lost their way after summiting the rock. O-2 spoke with the subjects over their cell phone and had them describe the terrain features at their location. From the mobile phone discussion it was likely the subjects were on the east of Grey Rock in the drainage that runs to the northeast. The SAR team was requested to respond direct to the trailhead.

7 Teams fielded approximately 19:28. Four teams were assigned to cover the terrain on the eastern side of Grey Rock and three teams were assign the western side, including the area to the north of Grey Rock . All would enter the area via the trail to the south of Grey Rock.

Teams made contact with the subjects at 20:44 on the eastside of Grey Rock in the predicted location. Subjects were tired but able to walk out with the SAR team's assistance. The Subjects and all SAR resources returned to the trailhead by 22:34.

The SAR team has in the past has stacked cairns to indicate the trail from the summit. On June 25 the United States Forrest Service will mark the Grey Rock trail with blue diamonds and rock cairns. It is hoped that these markers will reduce the number of calls received for SAR assistance for the area.

Duration: hours 5 hours 30 minuets
Miles to Location: 20
SAR miles: 680
16 LCSAR Resources
1 ITC: Amy H.
1 Larimer Emergency Services: O-2 Mosier
1 LCSAR SAR managers: Robin A.

Red Line

June 23, 2011 (Thursday) Mishwaka - Dive Team Assist/Rafting Incident

LCSO Press Release

13:03 Larimer County Search and Rescue was requested to assist Larimer County Dive Rescue in rope rescue following a commercial rafting accident on the Poudre River at Mishawaka Inn.

Duration: hours 28 minutes
Miles to Location: 22
SAR miles: 220
10 LCSAR Resources
1 Larimer Emergency Services: Mosier
1 LCSAR SAR managers: Robin A.

Red Line

June 21, 2011 (Tuesday) Grey Rock - Carryout of Injured Hiker

LCSO Press Release

A sunny day, temperatures rising through the 60's F, intermittent light breezes -- perfect for a day hike of Greyrock, especially when your last hike there was about 20 years ago. Jack M. of Fort Collins and a companion were hiking uphill on the Summit Trail when at about 13:00 he tripped on a rock and fell. He was unable to get up to walk, complaining of pain in the hip/thigh area of his right leg. They were about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Fortunately there were dozens of other hikers on the trails this day and one of them called 911 when they reached a spot that had cell coverage. Meanwhile, two medically trained individuals (Jack wasn't sure if they were doctors or EMTs) attempted to "arm and leg" carry him down the trail. This was not comfortable for Jack, so they set him down in the shade next to a log on the trail. Jack and his friend did have water, and just waited for the arrival of the rescue personnel. He initially was hesitant to take pain medications until his companion insisted, and at about 14:00 she gave him aspirin.

LCSAR was paged at 14:00 to respond direct, but non-emergency, to the Greyrock Trailhead for carryout of an injured person who was about 1.5 miles up on the Summit Trail. We did have a good response of 15 members (excluding myself), plus three medics from PVH ambulances (two with the on-duty ambulance plus one with the TEMS ambulance). By the time I arrived at about 15:00, with Truck 10 immediately behind me, ES Specialist Dave Mosier had already sent Doug Grimm and the two PVH medics up the trail. The other members gathered the litter and tech gear from Truck 10 and hastened up the trail. The TEMS medic arrived a bit later and went up the trail solo. The stand-down page for those not enroute was sent at 15:18. At about 15:40 the Team reached Jack, alert and in good spirits, vitals normal, though complaining of more pain. No dizziness or loss of consciousness prior to or after his fall; nothing to suggest anything other than simple mechanical fall. The paramedic thought that Jack's right hip was either broken or dislocated, as his right leg appeared to be slightly shorter than the left and was externally rotated; he started an IV and gave Jack pain medication.

Jack was packaged into the litter which was then fastened to the extraction wheel and the carryout began at about 16:00. The first half of the return trip was slow as rescuers traversed rocky terrain along the narrow path adjacent to some drop-offs. Team members rotated frequently, taking turns steadying the litter and using the running belay. Where the trail levels off beyond the junction of the Meadows and Summit trail split the Team was able to quicken their pace for arrival at the trailhead at about 16:50. Jack remained conscious and alert the entire time, except towards the very end when he started to doze off (good drugs). By 17:15 all resources had departed for home.

LCSAR members fielded: 15
LCSAR hours: ~50
LCSAR miles: ~750
ITC: Jim Mines
SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Dave Mosier
PVH Ambulance Med205: 2
TEMS Ambulance Med291: 1

Thanks to Marc Smith and Denise Alvord for information included in this write-up, and to Marc Smith for the photos.

Learning points:
The only report we were given prior to fielding was "hurt leg". Natural inclination was to consider sprained/twisted ankle, etc. The vacuum splint may have been useful on this response considering the extent of the injury. Our subject had an apparently high pain tolerance, as the only time he complained and agreed to more pain medication was right after we picked him up to transfer him into the litter and were adjusting his positioning to tie him in. Somebody with less tolerance for pain would've done better in the vacuum splint - and it probably would've helped us to not bump his leg while we traversed the rough trail sections.

Red Line

June 19, 2011 (Sunday - Father's Day) Grey Rock - Search for Missing Hiker

1915 hours on June 19, 2011: Priority page for on call SAR manager to contact ES re lost hiker at Grey Rock. This is just a reminder that our missions don't always occur at convenient times. The SAR manager, who was just about to sit down at a local BBQ place for a Father's Day dinner with family, called ES to get the scoop. Our subject, Dennis, had called 911 to report that he got off trail on Grey Rock, and could not find his way down. He was alone, wet, and starting to get cold. But otherwise, uninjured. There had been rain showers passing through the area, and he was not well equipped to be out. No compass and no fire building tools. He did, however, have a headlamp. The weather looked threatening. Due to the circumstances, and the diminishing light, it was decided to expedite this mission with a direct, non-emergent response to the area. Father's Day dinner abandoned.

1939 hours: priority page sent to SAR team for mountain bikers, searchers, trackers and dog handlers to contact our ITC with availability. We only needed about 12 SAR personnel for the mission, but ended up with 21! Great response by the SAR team. 21 LCSAR team members abandoned their evening plans on a moments notice, and quickly responded to Grey Rock.

Dennis was using a prepaid Tracphone. And dispatch provided coordinates where the call was supposedly made from. However, we did not have prior experience with the Tracphone, and how accurate the coordiates would be. As it turned out, it was fairly accurate---probably within a few hundred meters. And these differences may have been partially due to differences in map datum.

Teams were sent up various routes, just in case the coordinates were off. Despite have knowledge of where the subject was suppose to be, getting to him and making contact proved very time consuming. Field teams reported frustration with sounds, horn blasts, voices, echoing back and forth---making in difficult to pinpoint the sources. The first teams were fielded about 2020 hours. Despite the periodic rain and cold, Dennis was located at 2323 hours. He was located at UTM 743/077. He was cold and wet, but able to walk out on his own power, lead by our SAR teams. Dennis and all teams returned to base by 0200 hours.

LCSAR members: 21 (including 2 SAR managers)
ES personnel: 1
Other agencies involved: 0
Hours: 161 hours
Miles: 1400 miles

LCSAR GREY ROCK SEARCH FIND LOCATIONS

Red Line

June 16, 2011 (Thursday) Dive Team Assist - Poudre River Rafters at Mishawaka

Larimer County SAR responded to the second and third incidents mentioned below. SAR personnel were asked to respond to assist the dive team with the rescue operations, and provide shore support and rope systems. Ultimately, SAR personnel were not tasked.

Statistics for Mish 1 incident:
SAR personnel responding: 11 plus one SAR manager
Other agencies involved: unknown other than as reported in the press release above
Miles driven: 100 miles
Hours: 4.5 hours

Statistics for Mis 2 incident:
SAR personnel responding: 11 plus one SAR manager
Other agencies involved: a bunch, including but not limited to Poudre Canyon Rescue, PVH ambulance, Larimer County Dive Team, multiple deputies, multiple Emergency Services personnel
Miles driven: 500
Hours: 22 hours

###LCSO PRESS RELEASE###

LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Justin E. Smith, Sheriff

Sub Auctorita Publicus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Larimer County Sheriff's Office
John Schulz, Public Information Officer
Public Information Office - 970-980-2501

Subject: River Rescues
Date: 6/17/2011

The Larimer County Dive Rescue Team, Larimer County Search and Rescue Team, Larimer County Emergency Services and Poudre Canyon Fire Department were kept busy yesterday afternoon as they were called to three separate river rescue incidents in as many hours.

The first call, at approximately 2:41 p.m., reported a raft overturned in the river near Poudre Park with no people visible. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a kayaker had overturned but was found safe and no additional action was needed.

At approximately 3:18 p.m. emergency personnel received a report of an overturned commercial raft floating down the river with several rafters hanging on to it. A subsequent report indicated that one of the rafters was stranded on an island in the middle of the river near the Mishawaka Inn.

The raft had a total of eight people on board including the guide. The guide and six of the rafters were able to make it to shore on their own. The eighth rafter was rescued from the island and was not injured. Early reports that the stranded person was the guide proved to be incorrect.

It was determined that six of the rafters had varying degrees of hypothermia with one showing signs of extreme hypothermia. Two people were transported to local hospitals for treatment, one for hypothermia and the other for a possible broken leg.

This incident demonstrates that even for trained experts the river can be challenging at this time of the year.

At approximately 5:35 p.m. rescuers received yet another call indicating there was a person in the river hanging onto weeds in the same general area of the last call. It was determined that a private raft with six people on board had flipped over. All parties were able to make it to the far shore on their own and later were able to raft out after being checked by rescue personnel.

The Sheriff's Office reminds recreationists to use extreme caution and to be sure to have all the necessary safety equipment when using the river. Caution is also urged near the river as the fast flowing water has made the riverbanks very unstable.

Currently, there is a partial-use restriction in effect on the Poudre River in Larimer County preventing tubers and single-chambered rafts from using the river. The Colorado State Statute which allows restricting the river's use specifically excludes large rafts, canoes and kayaks from the restriction except in extreme circumstances. The Big Thompson River does not currently have any restrictions.

#END###

Red Line

June 4, 2011 (Saturday) Grey Rock Search

07:45 SAR was notified of two parties that called Sheriff's Dispatch, stating they were atop Grey Rock and could not find the trail back down. The parties were advised to stay put and SAR would come up and assist them down. SAR fielded 6 people to go up to the top of Grey Rock. While hiking in, field teams were interviewing parties on their way down from Grey Rock who were all reporting only seeing one person with a dog, camping near the lake and that was all. Team-1 summited Grey Rock and did not see our missing subjects. Sheriff's dispatch had a Lat/Long from their cell phone but when plotted, the Lat/Long was that of the Cell Site that was receiving the call located at I-25 and Hwy-14. Teams were shifted North-East on the rock in the drainage where we find most of our subjects that get lost at Grey Rock. Team-3 made voice contact with the subjects and determined that they were below the subjects. Team-1 and Team-3 worked together to bracket the voice contacts where Team-1 finally encountered the subjects who were OK. The subjects stated that they spent the night and made a fire. At first light, they decided to climb higher in efforts to find Cell service to make a call to the Sheriff to request help. Had the subjects truly been atop Grey Rock as they thought they were, they could have simply walked down with the many hundreds of people that were recreating at Grey Rock that day.

Resources:
LCSAR members: 7
Emergency Services: 1
Hours: 49 hours
Miles driven: 224 miles

Red Line

June 2, 2011 (Thursday) RMNP Injured Climber Carryout Assist

RMNP Assist With Carry Out Of Injured Climber 1642 Rocky Mountain National Park requested 5-10 SAR personnel for an assist on a carry out of a fallen climber with leg, neck and head injuries. Subject managed to get himself between Ouzel Falls and Calypso Cascades before he could go no further. RMNP requested assistance from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and Larimer County Search And Rescue to assist with a combined snow and land carry out. LCSAR was stood down just about the time they arrived at the RMNP ICP.

Resources:
LCSAR members: 12
Hours: 57 hours
Miles driven: 400 miles

Man Injured near Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Red Line

June 2, 2011 (Thursday) Grey Rock Carryout Fallen Hiker

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Contact:Larimer County Sheriff's Office
John Schulz, Public Information Officer
Public Information Office - 970-980-2501

Subject: Injured Hiker Rescued
Date: 6/3/2011

The Larimer County Search and Rescue unit was called to the Grey Rock trail early yesterday afternoon to assist an injured hiker. Larimer County Emergency Services, Poudre Canyon Fire Department and the Division of Wildlife also assisted in the rescue.

At approximately 12:13 yesterday, a Division of Wildlife officer was notified by the daughter of a 76-year-old male that her father had fallen on the Grey Rock trail and injured his head. After notifying the Larimer County Communications Center, the DOW officer immediately began hiking into the area to assist the fallen man.

Poudre Canyon Fire's Quick Response Team arrived next and immediately sent an emergency medical technician to assess the man. Larimer County Search and Rescue and Emergency Services responded to carry the injured hiker out to the trailhead where an ambulance from Poudre Valley Hospital was waiting.

The injured male was located approximately three-fourths of a mile up the trail suffering from a head injury, as a result of the fall, as well as a minor laceration to his cheek. The man was transported to Poudre Valley Hospital.

Larimer County Search and Rescue Mission Report

12:14 Paged to respond to Grey Rock Trail Re: a male hiker approximately .75 miles in on the trail had fallen, requiring a possible carry out. Poudre Canyon Fire Ambulance was first on scene and set up Command while sending in an EMT to access the patient. It was felt that the individual may have experienced a medical event that precipitated the fall where he sustained some injuries so it was decided to affect a carry out.

Resources:
LCSAR members: 14
Emergency Services: 1
Poudre Canyon Fire
Poudre Valley Hospital ambulance
Tactical EMS units
Hours: 42 hours
Miles driven: 360 miles

Red Line

May 29, 2011 (Sunday) Dirt Bike MVA

5/29/2011 15:07 - Page to respond direct to CR 103 (Laramie River Valley Rd) for a Dirt Bike MVA involving 1 male party. E-19 was the Deputy to respond to this call for the Sheriff's Office (He’s also one of our Honorary Members). He was on scene along with a Wild Life Officer and Poudre Canyon Quick Response Team. Northern Colorado Medevac was called in and landed near the patient. E-19 along with those on scene were able to back board the subject and carry him to the landing zone so the SAR team was stood down at 16:23

Resources:
LCSAR members: 20+
Emergency Services: 1
Poudre Canyon Fire
Poudre Valley Hospital ambulance
Tactical EMS units
Hours: 80 hours
Miles driven: 1500 miles

Red Line

May 27, 2011 (Friday) Fallen Climber

5/27/2011, 20:21 - Page "SAR stage at Mishawaka for a 19 YOA male who fell 12 ft." An EMT was in the area of the climber and before many got out of town and up the canyon, we were stood down. The subject was walked out and at the road when the stand down page was put out.

Resources:
LCSAR members: 22
Emergency Services: 1

Red Line

May 22, 2011 (Sunday) Electric Ocean - Fallen Climber

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Nick Christensen, Executive Officer
Public Information Office - 970-980-2501

Subject: Local Climber Rescued

Date: 5/23/2011

Last night, Larimer County Emergency Services coordinated the efforts of and worked in cooperation with members from Larimer County Search and Rescue, Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District and were assisted by Poudre Valley Ambulance in the rescue of a 31 year old female climber from Fort Collins.

At approximately 6:00 PM yesterday, Larimer County Sheriff's Dispatch was notified that a climber had been struck by a rock and fallen approximately 20 feet in rugged terrain south of highway 14 in the Poudre Canyon narrows area. The above mentioned rescue organizations responded and cooperated in the rescue effort. Due to darkness and extremely steep, near vertical terrain, the rescue effort was not completed until approximately 1:30 AM this morning. Ultimately, she was carried out by rescuers and transported by ambulance to Poudre Valley Hospital. She sustained a broken ankle, crush injury to her hand and head lacerations. She was wearing a helmet and climbing with one other party who notified rescuers.

No further information is available at this time.

Larimer County Search and Rescue Mission Report

1752 hours. SAR team was paged to respond emergent, to mile marker 102 in the Poudre Canyon for a carry out of female who was "hit in the head and hand with a rock." First SAR and ES units arrived at staging about 1823 hours. Poudre Canyon rescue units and PVH were at staging when we arrived, and had personnel hiking up the rock to the subject. About 8 PVH and Poudre Canyon personnel were in the field trying to access the subject. At about 1850 they reached the subject, and reported subject to be a 31 yoa female, conscious, breathing, injuries to left hand and foot, with bleeding under control. (Later reports stated the subject had fallen 20 feet and a boulder then fell on subject's hand. Subject had head lacerations, was wearing a helmet, with severe avulsion to one finger, multiple fractures to the hand, and ankle/lower leg injury but no fractures.) Several EMT's (not SAR members) were on scene with the subject, and remained with the subject through the evening. Scene assessment determined there were no spots available for a helo med evac, and sunset was quickly approaching which would make a military short haul evac not feasible. So the team prepared for a long evening with a technical carryout, in what was initially estimated as a 1200 foot elevation gain.

Subject was packaged in the litter, and the evac started around 20:40 hours. According to those in the field, the evacuation was very nasty. Steep slopes, loose scree, and poor footing. This was a challenging evacuation in the daylight, and even more so in the dark of night. Fortunately, the weather was coooperative, with cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies. Thoughout the evac the subject appeared stable, but was kept on pain medications. Multiple pitches on rope, and about 3 1/2 hours of actual litter evacuation, and the subject and litter reached the road and ambulance shortly after midnight. After the subject was transported via ambulance, the SAR team inventoried gear and debriefed. Most of the team was back in town around 0200 hours. Overall, the team agreed it was a successful evac, and the team worked well together in difficult terrain. A few pieces of gear were lost, and unfortunately, there were a couple minor injuries to SAR members.

21 members responded to this rescue. This was a good response, given that this rescue came on the heels of the BASART final, the night before. So several members get extra credit for being out all night the evening before, returning home from the BASART final, and turning around again to respond to this long technical rescue!

Resources:
LCSAR members: 21
Emergency Services: 1
Poudre Canyon Fire and Poudre Valley Hospital ambulance squad (10-12 combined)
Hours: 168 hours
Miles driven: 1400 miles

Red Line

May 22, 2011 (Sunday) Rocky Mountain National Park Assist

0913 MST - received page from LCSO Communications reference an assist to RMNP for a missing person.

0916 MST - Called RMNP. Request was for up to 10 searchers - dogs if available. Search area Bear Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. Winter conditions. Missing 76 yo male, solo hiker left Saturday, 5/21/2011 in the afternoon and did not return. Not prepared for overnight. Hasty teams were aleady searching. LCSAR to be on standby until noon

While I was on the phone with RMNP, the Incident Command Post received a radio call from the hasty team saying they were with the missing person. No further requirements from LCSAR.

Resources used:
1 x SARM (Robin A) - 2 x 45 second phone calls
1 x ITC (Steve) - 1 x 4 minute phone call, 2 x 45 second phone calls
Distance traveled - 35 feet from sofa to coffee pot to cell phone on kitchen table

Red Line

May 13, 2011 (Friday) Assist Loveland PD on Possible Suicide

-- MM80 Hwy34 Big Thompson Canyon -- This mission actually started at 18:24 on Thursday when the Duty SAR Manager was paged to call Dave Mosier. Loveland PD, with the assistance of LCSO deputies, was searching the area around mile marker 80 on Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon (which is one of the pull-outs along the 3-lane section of highway just east of Viestenz-Smith Park) for a potentially suicidal adult male, 49 yoa, and it is likely that he has firearms with him. LPD had located the vehicle -- and with it parked on asphalt there was no ready indication of direction of travel -- so they had their K9 working the hillside on the north side of the road and traveling to the west. Did I mention it was raining steadily -- part of the three days of rain we'd had up to that time. The dog and handler encountered a couple mule deer as they ascended the hill, leading the handler to believe that the dog had just been following them. The LPD investigator called ES for some advice but were not officially requesting that ES or SAR respond. At 18:50 Dave called me to say that LPD was calling it quits for the night, and were leaving the subject's vehicle there in case he came out during the night. At 19:06 the stand-down page was sent to the SAR Manager group.

This morning at 10:36 came the page for the Duty SAR Manager to call Justin Whitesell -- the subject's vehicle was just as they had left it last night, so LPD with the assistance of the SWAT Team were going back to search for the subject, and could use some help from ES and SAR. The first page to the Team at 10:57 was to determine how many SAR were available, so that LPD could make sure they had sufficient armed officers to accompany each fielding team. ITC Jake Udel ultimately reported to me that there were 17 members with 3 dogs available -- to which LPD replied that they had 5 officers, so they officially requested that ES and SAR respond. We arrived on scene between 13:00-13:30, received our briefing information, and by 14:00 the five teams, three with dogs and two as trackers, and each with a SWAT Team member, were beginning their assignments. At about 14:15 came the call from dog team 5 that they had a find -- great job Merlin! -- and they also confirmed that our subject was a fatality, and only about a quarter-mile north of the road. Since teams had not gotten very far all were able to return to base quickly, participate in a short debriefing, and most elected to go home -- though 8 did stay around for the carryout. The Coroner arrived reasonably quickly and we had the subject loaded into his truck by about 15:30, and by about 16:00 all members were back in town.

The location wasn't really in line with the direction that the subject's vehicle was pointing, but that might just have been a consequence of the narrowness of that pull-off area. The view from the scene looks northward over the river valley toward the large expanse of the next ridgeline -- a very pleasant viewshed ...

PS from Jayne -- the handgun in this incident was a semi-automatic, which means that after the lethal round was fired and as the gun fell out of the subject's hand, another bullet was automatically chambered and the hammer was cocked, leaving the gun ready to fire again -- which could happen if one of the search dogs inadvertently steps on the trigger area as they approach the body (she tells of hunting accidents where the hunter's dog has caused such a problem).

LCSAR hours: ~100
LCSAR miles: ~1080
ITC: Jake Udel
SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Justin Whitesell
Loveland PD: 3
SWAT Team: 5

Red Line

April 23, 2011 (Saturday) PFA Assist for Carryout of Female with Broken Ankle

1642: Page to respond to Lory State Park – Arthur's Rock for carry out of female with broken ankle. It was an assist to PFA and the Parks units who were already on scene. Subject was one mile up the Arthur's Rock trail and medical was packaging her as we arrived. It was determined to stand down folks not already in the park when those on scene said they had enough resources. LCSAR assisted in the carry out to the trail head. All sar units were back in town at 18:00.

SAR members responding: 13 including sar manager Dave Hake
ES responding: David Mosier
Other units on scene: PFA, Lory State Parks, Larimer County Parks, PVH ambulance
Miles driven 260
Hours: 16

Red Line

April 8 & 9, 2011 (Friday and Saturday) Keenesburg Dog Assist for Missing Female

LCSAR Dog K9 (SARDOC) teams have been requested by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children to aid Denver Police in the search for a missing 19 year old.

Responding 3 dog teams from Larimer County SAR, and one from Park County SAR for the first operational period.

Additionally, SARDOC provided a Dog Unit Leader from Douglas County as coordinator for the first operational period.

The second operational period 5 SARDOC k9 teams responded, 3 from Larimer County SAR, one Park County SAR, and one from Alpine Rescue. The Dog Unit Leader responded from Larimer County SAR.

Dog teams searched approximately 6000 acres. Although, the teams did not locate the missing 19 year old, dog teams did located the site of a death that occurred 5 years ago.

The KMGH Denver News » Missing Teen Case Leads Police To Weld County

Red Line

April 1, 2011 (Friday) Bobcat Ridge Rescue in 0-6 Minutes

1811 hours: The SAR team was paged to respond directly, emergent, to Bobcat Ridge to assist in the carry out of a bicycler who "fell and hit his head."

1813 hours: SAR manager asks dispatch to page the team for SAR member to respond with Truck 10.

1817 hours: SAR teams gets priority page to stand down the response. "Patient is conscious/alert, coming down on his own."

It was all over in 6 minutes, and that's all we know. It is assumed the cycler self-recovered completely, but no further information was provided.

End of mission.

SAR members responding: 14 members including SAR manager & ITC
ES responding: 1
Other agencies responding or involved: unknown
Miles driven: 4 miles confirmed (it does not sound like anyone made it out of their driveway)
Hours: 1.4 hours (14 members x 6 minutes each)

Red Line

February 28 2011 (Monday) Overdue Delivery Person

19:35 SAR manager page to call O-3 reference being put on standby for and overdue delivery person that was in the Cherokee Park/Redfeather Lakes area. It was believed that the subject would try and take the Prairie Divide Road and it was known to have poor conditions because a UPS driver got stuck last week. O-3 was heading up to go in from the Cherokee Park Road side because her last delivery was off of that road.

20:05 O-3 contacted me saying he found her and was bringing her to town. SAR managers were notified and no team wide page was ever put out.

Resources:
SAR team members: 1 SAR manager
ES personnel: 1
Hours: 1
Miles driven: 0

Red Line

February 22 2011 (Tuesday) Missing Person - JJ's Larimer County

1328 hours: Page from ES for SAR manager. ES advises that a missing subject had gone out the previous night to meet a friend. And was last seen at JJ's liquor, and never returned home. Subject was manic depressive. It was believe the subject may be somewhere between JJ's and Redstone Canyon. Little other information was available.

ES was enroute to the subject's residence on East Mulberry to visit with the girlfriend. ES was requesting one SAR member meet him and a deputy at the residence to get a scent article, with the idea that the team would soon be deployed. The SAR manager sent a page to the team at 1347, requesting a dog handler to respond directly and stage with ES at the residence. Two dog handlers responded. As they were leaving the residence with the scent article, the subject was located, code 4, in downtown Fort Collins.

The entire team was stood down at 1437 hours.

Resources:
SAR team members: 3 including SAR manager
ES personnel: 1
LCSO deputy: 1 known
Hours: 3
Miles driven: 40

Red Line

January 30 2011 (Sunday) Overdue Hikers - Round Mountain Trail/Lower Big Thompson Canyon

19:47 - Page for Larimer 1 to call Ocean 2 regarding 3 overdue teenagers who were going to hike the Round Mountain Trail and were suppose to be back home by 6PM. The two brothers and one friend left their home in Loveland for the Summit Trail at 11AM. Searchers, Trackers and Dog Teams were in route when the stand down page came out at 20:27. 22 SAR Members, 3 Dogs, a SAR Manager, and an ITC were responding. Udel and Abby were in route to get a scent article.

... from Janson ~19:30 report of three overdue hikers (teenagers) -- they had departed Loveland at about 11:00 and were due back at 18:00 to meet a curfew requirement -- Grandma made sure they had flashlights and a small backpack with food and water -- all three are smokers -- they have been on the Round Mountain trail before -- vehicle description unknown -- when it got dark, Grandma called -- deputy en-route to check for vehicle -- Dave Mosier and I decided to task dogs, trackers and searchers, and not limit the response, as they might have gotten separated, or one might be injured -- just as I was leaving the house we received word from Dispatch that the trio had returned home -- Team stood down at ~20:30. A total of 22 members with 3 dogs were responding.

LCSAR hours: ~10
LCSAR miles: ~100
ITC: Mike Fink
SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Dave Mosier

Red Line

January 29 2011 (Saturday) RMNP Assist with Carry Out of Injured Hiker - Peacock Pool

13:22 On Call SAR Manager call Ocean 2 reference a carry out assist with RMNP near Longs Peak. 20 YOA female slipped down an ice sheet near Peacock Pool below Chasm Lake. She slid about 100 feet and is unable to walk out.

...from George ~13:30 request for 10-20 members for carry out of injured 20 yoa female from vicinity of Peacock Pool (the next body of water downhill from Chasm Lake at Longs Peak). After three pages to the Team, we were able to send 8 members. As usual, RMNP tries to evac injured persons via helicopter, but the winds were too erratic and strengthening, so they tasked RMRG and LCSAR for the (Plan B) trail carry. Everyone was out of the field and back at the RMNP SAR Cache by about midnight, which is when Russell Giesey called me to say they would be heading home soon. I went back to sleep and next morning totally forgot to send ES and SARM a page saying the responders were back home. More detail from the responders is on the web reports section.

LCSAR hours: 80
LCSAR miles: 300
ITC: Mike Fink
SAR Manager: George Janson
ES: Dave Mosier

from Sarah Eller...

Larimer County was Team 5 with RMNP ranger Paul. We were to be the relief for the folks that had already been out for several hours. We took up resupply to them, and carried the wheel UGH. We met subject and team 1-4 at the junction of Chasm Lake. The process was going very slow on the carry out. Up high the snow was sparse and the sled had to be carried, they did not use the wheel but did 6 people on the litter until a new rotation. It was difficult to coordinate as all involved had slightly different ideas on how the bumping would take place. The bars and the litter were difficult to access so we set down each time there was a bump, the terrain was rough. We hit snow and slid the patient from there on out. The trail was narrow and in many parts there needed to be a line of people along the down hill side ensuring that the litter did not tip over. The trip was long and we had fewer resources that would have been desired so those there did double the work than a typical carry out. The patients climbing buddies were acting as a part of the team and proved to be very strong, willing and all around wonderful to work with. Their mental attitude was calm, helpful and ready to work. They were great rescuers. We reached the parking lot where an ambulance was waiting at around 000 hours. The patients parents were waiting at the hospital. They had come in from Boston during the 16 hour carry out. RMNP was first alerted by a SPOT Beacon. The signal keep activating every few minutes which indicated that indeed it was not a false alarm. Rocky Mountain dispatch group was dispatched at 11:00 am. The patient is well and has been released to her parents care. There were five people in the group, attempting to climb mount Meeker. When one of their party slid 200 hundred feet down a steep slop dislodging a 100 lb. boulder. Two of the party stayed with her and two left to get help and make calls to family.

Peacock Mission, RMNP, - by Russell Giesey

It's 1:47 pm Saturday when the initial page goes out. The team has been asked to assist Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) with a carry out near Peacock Pool below Chasm Lake. With temperatures near or above 60 degrees for several days it seems most of the team was already out enjoying the nice weather some where. However we were able to round up 8 members to help with the carry out. (Bratrud, Desmond, Eller, Giesey, Lyons, Sciacca, Sneed, and Verbit) While staging at the RMNP cache, the gravity of our situation came to light. It was going to be a long, dark, cold night! This time of year the park runs a skeleton crew. Since they don't have a lot of rangers to help they have to send their crew out on missions with very minimal gear. That's where we come in.

Besides our standard gear of avalanche beacons, stoves, food, radios, cold weather clothing, sleeping bags, etc… we also carried enough food and drinks to help refuel the rescuers already on the mountain. Basically, add 10 to 15 pounds to your already 40-50 pound pack. Finally, after loading all of our gear into our packs we are ready to leave the cache and head towards the departure area.

As people were returning from their day's adventure in the park we were just departing the Long's Peak Trailhead. It's now 5:20 pm. No more than one half hour up the trail we have to light up the darkness with our headlamps. This still does not drown out the beautiful star filled sky above us. Mile after mile we placed step after step up the mountain. At times the trail is hard packed. Pretty easy hiking for the middle of winter, at 10,000 feet of elevation. Other spots were ice covered and very slick. If we stepped off the packed trail we usually found ourselves buried waist high in powder requesting the help of teammates to pull us out. Above tree line was completely different. Under the dark sky it seemed as though we were walking through the Martian landscape. Wind scoured and barren at times it was almost eerie. Finally after about two hours we reached the rendezvous point at 11,520 feet. At that point we were briefed as to the subject's situation and condition. The 20 year old female was preparing for a difficult traverse across a steep slope when she slid approximately 200 feet down the side of the mountain. Ending her "ride" near the Peacock Pool she was bruised and battered. That's when her climbing partners activated their Spot satellite messaging unit's distress signal. Shortly after the signal was received RMNP dispatched their first team of rangers to the scene. Not knowing the full extent of her injuries the rangers stabilized her back and spine in a litter and moved her to our rendezvous point. After refueling (remember the "additional" gear we were carrying) the members we combined with and forming a game plan we proceeded down.

This is when the mission really became difficult. Since we were above timberline there was not much snow. Just rocks, boulders, and intermittent piles of snow. As if it was not hard enough carrying our packs, now we had to carry the litter (200 lbs loaded) down the mountain without dropping the subject. This takes skill. Three people per side, one, maybe two hands on the rail, in the dark, and at about 20 degrees F now with some wind added in. If you're in the front it's not as hard because you can almost "see" where you are going. But if you're in the middle or back you can't see your feet and you can't really see around the person in front. Watch out for the pack in front of you. With ice axes, crampons, snowshoes, and various poking implements attached there was always the possibilities of being impaled by something. That usually happened when you tripped over a rock or boulder that you didn't even see coming.

By 10:20 pm we had made timberline. The work became a little easier. Now we could pull the sled by control lines at the front and back. Periodically we had to position people on the steep sides of the trail where the possibility of sending her for another "ride" was eminent with out the side support people. It seems weird but we actually had to "pull" the sled down hill. A constant rotation of rescuers was needed in order to keep things moving. It's very hard and tiring work. As the night rolled on and headlamps seemed to dim from the cold long night so did our conversations. Every one was exhausted! Finally, shortly after Saturday turned to Sunday, we were back at the Long's Peak trail head parking lot. The ambulance was quietly idling, waiting to take our patient out of this rustic environment into civilization for continued treatment. At this time we have heard that she suffered no major injuries and will be released very shortly.

Subject: Luckiest Saturday of My Life

Some of you may already know via Facebook, word of mouth, or press coverage, or Rob's most recent email, but for those of you that haven't heard about this weekend, I figured I would send an email and tell you all the story at once rather than in pieces many times, in hopes that you can understand what happened and hopefully learn from my experience, and perhaps be sobered by it. This is my recollection of the events of Saturday and the days that followed. I am sorry that it is so long, but I hope that it is worth the read.

This past Saturday, Evan P., Will B., Nik M., Andy S. and I were planning on attempting Mount Meeker (the peak just to the left of Longs) via the Iron Gates route that eventually diverges fromthe Chasm Lake trail and follows a generally class-2 ridge to one of the summits (with options to do a knife ridge once we got there). After some careful planning, we decided to scope out the route, turn back if the avalanche danger seemed too great, but start early enough in the day that we could complete our objective if the conditions were favorable. The weather was gorgeous; warmer and sunnier than we possibly could have hoped, and the high winds in the area had scoured most of the alpine area around Meeker and Longs Peak clean. The snowpack was incredibly hard and stable, and for the most part, we could not even punch through and posthole into the patches of snow that we did encounter. With no avalanche danger coming from bare ground, we rejoiced in our good luck, the beautiful sunrise, and continued along the Chasm Lake trail. For those of you familiar with the trail, it winds around MT. Lady Washington and follows a path cut into a slope that is incredibly steep at best and is cliffed out in sections directly off the path. In winter, these portions of the trail were covered in snowdrifts, making these areas trickier than in the summer by far. We took out our ice axes, some of us donned crampons, and all of us crossed these sections safely.

The trail cleared out once more and we reached a snowfield above Peacock Pool that stretched between us and Chasm Lake. There were steps cut into it already, most likely from a mountaineer crossing the terrain the day before, since it wasn't yet 8 o'clock in the morning, and we had made good time. The snowfield was steep, most likely between 30-40 degrees, and covered the landscape in a large, scooping bowl shape that led to a boulder field below. We assessed other options to avoid crossing the snowfield; we discussed taking the tundra down to the bottom of the cirque and climbing up the edge of Columbine Falls, or maybe following a different path on the snowfield lower down. We had all gone into the day expecting avalanche danger, and decided that traveling low in the path of a clear runout was not a good idea. The option of traveling up Columbine Falls looked sketchy at best, and involved what seemed to be technical rock or ice-work that we were clearly trying to avoid. With all other options exhausted, we decided to proceed onto the snowfield. Nik and Will put on their crampons (Evan, Andy and myself already had them on), and Will led us out onto the snowfield spaced ten feet apart, following the pre-kicked steps that were already there. Next in line was Nik and Andy. I followed behind them with Evan behind me in line. The snowfield was much like many I had crossed in my youth without the protection of ice axes or crampons (I attended a summer camp in Estes Park during middle school, where we did technical terrain without technical equipment: for example, the summer after eighth grade, we completed the "Grand Slam", which is the combination of Meeker, Longs, and Pagoda all in the same day). After having taken a mountaineering course this summer and gaining technical training with crampons and ice axes, I believed I would be able to arrest my fall if I were to slip.

At this point the events of the day are very hazy for me: what I have managed to piece together is the result of the fast-paced experience I endured and the accounts of Evan, who was forced to watch the entire process in abject horror and helplessness. Some number of steps into the snowfield, probably ten or twenty, I began to fall. The snow was incredibly hard, more akin to the snow you might find on terribly groomed ski slopes than the kind of snowfields I had previously traversed, and I found myself completely under prepared for arresting a fall in the deep winter conditions. I gained speed very quickly and tried to flip over and weight my pick into the snow to stop myself. The pick caught for probably one second, superficially scraped the snow, and then ripped out of my hands due to the force and speed of my fall. After traveling roughly 100 feet and picking up speed to 30-40 miles and hour, I impacted a rock jutting out of the snow with the bottom of my left thigh. I caught air and caterwauled another twenty feet into the boulder field below, where I finally stopped my fall. After having taken my Wilderness First Responder course last July, I have been sobered to the potential consequences of back country travel. Many of you have chuckled at my medical forms that I bring on my trips, and I am often the person to be a relative killjoy on a dangerous route when I pipe up about consequences. My greatest fear was and always has been a spinal injury, and the fall I had just taken was the perfect mechanism for spinal cord damage.

The terror I felt when I came to rest I have a hard time describing, and is something I still have not fully processed. The impact oft he blow was reverberating throughout my entire body- sharp, grueling pain began in my left hip and back, and I began to go into shock and hyperventilate. The hyperventilation caused my fingers and toes to tingle,something I had been told to look for as a sign of spinal cord damage. I don't know how I managed not to scream, or cry. Somewhere in this process Is oiled myself, either from the impact or from pure and unadulterated fear. My left thigh had suffered a major abrasion through which I would lose a pint of blood, but I did not notice at the time. At this point, Evan had rundown the slope to me, and Nik, Andy, and Will were close behind.

Despite my training and my knowledge that I needed to stay still, I couldn't help moving my arms and legs, moving purely on instinct and pain, driven to discover where I had been injured, and with the deep and prevailing sense that these motions might be the last ones I make before paralyzation kicked in. I was barely cognizant enough to answer questions and attempt to direct those around me. Since I had the highest level of medical training, it was imperative that I give those around me the greatest level of detail possible. Evan took out his Spot, and asked me if he should press the button that would send for help. Although the idea of needing to press the Spot was unfathomable, I knew that I needed a backboard, and an evacuation. There was no way I could possibly walk down the mountain. It was roughly 8 in the morning.

The next half hour to forty-five minutes were a haze. I was shivering from the cold and suffering body-rocking spasms from shock that jostled my back and made my pain even greater. Despite the intense situation, those around me were able to keep their cool, layer me in a cocoon of their warmest layers, and dig a pit in the snow to line with emptied backpacks to protect me from conducting all of my heat into the ground. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Will, Evan, Nik and Andy to see me in such pain and to act on my behalf the way they did. I truly believe that I owe each of them my life. We are honored to share the mountains with them.

As soon as I was moved onto an insulated surface, Andy and Nik began to head towards the trailhead with incredible speed and competency to call 911, asking anyone traveling up the trail if they had cell phone service. These travelers proved to be invaluable as they came across Evan,Will, and I, and told us of their progress towards the trailhead. Andy and Nik had left their warm layers with me, and had moved as quickly as possible to get help, call my parents, and send for a backboard.

Time passed, and minutes turned into hours as Will, Evan and I waited for some sign of search and rescue or a helicopter. I took three tablets of ibuprofen, and I began to control my shock. Sensing that we were in for a long haul, Will, Evan, and I took turns trying to make each other smile. Will and Evan worked to keep my core warm and my extremities from becoming numb, constantly re stacking the layers around me and sacrificing their own comfort for my sake. When placing avalanche shovels on top of my layers to keep them from blowing away, we found a huge gouge in the metal shovel that had been on the outside of my pack. I discovered my own incontinence and the bleeding from my leg that now had soaked through three layers of clothing from my knee to my bum. I couldn't believe I had forgotten to check for blood right after I had fallen- I realized that despite my medical training, I was in too much pain to manage my own situation. I was in Evan and Will's hands as they encouraged me, and prevented me from moving as best I could, even when I cried out. I decided to leave my leg as it was, since examining it would involve taking off layers and exposing me to the chill, and potentially ripping off any clotting that had formed to my long underwear and had stopped the bleeding. Around ten o'clock, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue made contact, and the next stage of the ordeal began. It would take me fifteen hours to reach the trailhead.

The rangers evaluated the terrain, navigating it carefully, and looked for places for a helicopter to land while the first of many EMTs began to examine me. My long underwear was cut away, revealing the fat-layer-deep lacerations that luckily had caused my bleeding. I was moved into a litter with more insulation, and my view of the surroundings shrank to a six-inch window pointed at the sky and framed by warm layers as I lay on my back. My sense of direction was completely eliminated.

I began to measure time in medical personnel- I was given O2, and an EMT who had brought up bags of fluid began to look for a place to put an IV. He looked at my arms for 20 minutes, tourniqueting them, tapping my hands, letting them warm up again, and hunting for a vein. Unfortunately, I was so dehydrated, cold, and in shock that the only vein he could find was the one in the crook of my elbow. It took three tries for him to get the line in, and he began to pump in fluid that was incredibly cold, despite their attempts and warming it up in their jackets. I cried for the first time.

Hours passed, the sky began to darken, and more people began to trickle onto the scene. By the end of the day, twenty-two people from the Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, and Larimer County Search and Rescue were on the scene, setting up rigging to protect both my litter and the rescuers with rope systems for the journey to Chasm Lake Junction, where they were hoping to land a helicopter. Will and Evan worked to haul gear, and collect equipment from a cache the Park Service used to store equipment. I was given morphine, and told that the helicopter might not be able to make it into the junction, since the winds were too high. I faded in and out of awareness, opening my eyes when rescue personnel asked me questions and when new IV fluid was pumped into my arm. The morphine made me nauseous and claustrophobic. I absorbed four liters of IV fluid, and was given a Depends to use on the way down if I needed it. I was so dehydrated that I never did.

Around 4:00 PM, I finally began to move towards the trailhead. The rescue teams used an elaborate counterweight system to haul my litter up the slope I had fallen, and used intricate rope-work to protect both myself and each other from the hazards of traveling in a winter mountain environment. On stretches of rock and gravel, I was carried by teams of six, while I was strapped into the litter along with my IV fluid and oxygen tank. On snow, I was towed and steered over snowdrifts. With every bump and knock, I felt my back twinge despite the painkillers. Periodically going into shock, I would shake and convulse, causing muscle contractions that rocked my body and destabilized my back. I knew that everyone was doing their best, but I was silently terrified that the next knock might be the one that would break down my spine. I tried to keep smiling. I remembered the section of snowdrifts that led into cliffs that had provoked us to put on our crampons on the way to Meeker earlier that morning, and was absolutely terrified of the section. I was continually asking the people carrying my litter where we were. Just out of my line of sight, an elaborate system of rope-work was protecting the section that I was most afraid of, and I was being passed on from person to person in a move that they called the "caterpillar", where people stood in one long line, passing me from person to person rather than risking movement while carrying me.

For me, the entire rescue was a series of jostling bumps, caring assessments, checking of vital signs, and half-conscious experiences. Those outside my cocoon of warm layers and living beyond my six-inch window to the world were exhausting themselves working to get me to front-country medical care. The medical team had brought up multiple tanks of oxygen, bags of saline solution, IV-glucose, painkillers, anti-nausea medication, and had prepared for any eventuality. The Rescue teams, Evan, and Will were all finely in tune with my needs, stopping when the morphine made me nauseous and constantly adjusting the layers that kept me warm and out of shock.

The rescuers were challenged by both taking care of me and themselves, staying warm and well-fed was constant work. I distinctly recall one rescuer taking the time to make hot drinks to sustain themselves. They were taking every precaution, and Evan and Will were doing anything in their power to help the rescue groups. Since Andy and Nik had left their backpacks and warm layers for me to use while we waited for help to arrive, Will and Evan had five people's equipment to contend with between the two of them in addition to carrying rescue equipment, and taking turns being part of my litter team. They carried gear in loads from one stopping point to the next, using a seemingly endless reservoir of energy to help the rescue teams get me to safety.

Darkness fell, and I drifted in and out of consciousness, waking only to new bags of IV fluid and the sensation of rolling over especially sharp hills. I was unconscious for hours of travel down to the trailhead, where those carrying the litter had become so tired they began to fall, and everyone's turns guiding me to safety were becoming shorter and shorter as fatigue kicked in. I arrived at the trailhead at 11:30 PM, accompanied by the exhausted rescue teams that had worked so hard to save my life. The rescue teams had been working to evacuate me for fifteen hours. Will and Evan had been taking care of me even longer. Andy, Evan, Will and Nik had witnessed the worst of my pain, and had helped from moving when it was crucial I keep my back stable.

I was immediately taken to the Estes Park emergency room. The ambulance had waited for my arrival for over an hour. Once in the Trauma ward, X-Rays of my entire body were taken, and I was cleared for movement. It was past 1:00 AM in the morning. I breathed a sigh of relief- my spine was okay- but was confused by the unexplained and intense pain in my lower back that completely eclipsed the laceration covering my leg. I was given vicodin and kept in the hospital for the remainder of the morning - the doctors were concerned with the muscle damage in my leg causing kidney damage. By the morning, my kidneys were on the right track, but we discovered that my lungs had collapsed slightly from being bound into the litter for so long. I am still working to regain my full lung capacity.

My parents had been planning on visiting me this weekend for months, and they received a call from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group right as they were about to board a plane for Denver. I am incredibly thankful that they have been here for this entire ordeal.

I eventually traveled back to Boulder, where I met with a representative from Victim's Assistance that had tracked me down from the local news. She helped me quickly gain a medical referral for a new diagnosis: with my back pain still completely eclipsing all discomfort from my leg, we decided to order a CT scan to re-check the area at the Boulder Hospital. I passed in and out of consciousness from pain while in the hospital ward: I had vomited up my vicodin in the Victim's Assistance office. I was not even awake for my CT scan.

The CT scan and a secondary appointment with an orthopedist revealed that I had fractured my sacrum, the extension of my spine that connects to my pelvis. I am incredibly lucky: my fracture was only a 2 mm displacement, and does not require surgery. One-third of people who break their back in this place have neurological problems or chronic pain for the rest of their life. I seem to have avoided both. I will be walking on a walker for the next four weeks, and will be healing for the next three months. I am lucky to be walking at all.

The lessons that can be learned from this are complex and multi-faceted. As hikers and mountaineers, we often take risks and find ourselves in situations where we could have died. Had I failed to hit the rock, I would have hurtled into the boulder-field full-force. Had I impacted the rock on my head, or anywhere near my internal organs, I most likely would have died on or shortly after impact. Had I hit the rock in a slightly different way on my leg, I could have hit my femoral artery. Had the impact on my back been different, or the avalanche shovel failed to protect me, I most likely would be paralyzed or dead. For the first time, and hopefully the only time, I find that I not only could have died, but truly should have died in countless ways this past weekend. A Spot device is not a true safety net - if I had suffered internal bleeding, or a more serious injury, I would have died before I made it into town. The wilderness is not a button away from front country medicine. It took nearly 20 hours to get me into an ER.

We often use hiking and mountaineering as a way to push our boundaries and come in contact with ourselves. In the process of pushing ourselves, we often hear voices that tell us "this isn't such a great idea" or maybe caution us of potential consequences if we miss a step. Exposure is tricky: we know that the ramifications of falling could be huge, but we comfort ourselves by acknowledging our own ability to walk every day, and set aside our fears with the expectation that we will not miss a step. I have traveled over 600 miles in the Coloradan mountains, most of it in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have crossed countless snowfields, climbed countless peaks, and had many close calls. I am sharing my account of this past weekend to make sure that you know that you are not invincible. Mountaineers often talk about "peak fever", a kitschy name for the overriding desire to make it to the summit. All hikers who love climbing mountains suffer from this to some extent - the very desire to get to the top despite the odds is what makes the experience so fulfilling.

The situation I found myself in this weekend was rare, but we face situations where we gauge risk versus reward almost every weekend we spend in the mountains, and I am pleading with you to have the courage to turn back. I know the pressure of a trip leader to fulfill group expectations of grandeur, and I know the feeling of a participant wanting not to hold back a group. Travel with people you know would accept your discomfort and acknowledge objective hazards and respect them. If someone says they are uncomfortable with a situation, listen. Realize that the people you travel with in the Mountains may be the ones who save your life.

I could not have asked for better friends or backcountry companions than those I had this Saturday. The dedication to my safety, comfort, and well-being that Will, Evan, Andy, Nik and the rescue teams showed me most likely is what allows me to continue walking, and I am alive today because of the level of care they showed last Saturday. It is very difficult for me to put the level of the gratitude I feel towards the people who saved my life into spoken sentences, much less into the cold and relatively unfeeling medium of written words. Everything I achieve from this point onwards is a direct result of their bravery and perseverance in the face of a truly hellish ordeal. Every time I take a step, I am grateful to you. I owe you my life. Thank you for allowing me to continue seeing a world so beautiful, and thank you for being so careful that I am able to explore it with my own legs and not from the confines of a wheelchair. I was not just lucky to have lived: it is a direct result of your actions that I have such a hopeful prognosis.

I hope that as soon as I am well, I will be back in the mountains, but I will be traveling in them with a healthy respect for consequences and with the knowledge that "it can happen to me". I will try to make it to Happy Hour tonight, and rejoice in the fact that I am alive and well enough to spend time with some of my closest friends.

Becca "lived to tell about it" S.

Red Line

January 12 2011 (Wednesday) RMNP Assist with Carry Out of Injured Skier - Flattop Mountain

Nine members of LCSAR assisted Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers with the evacuation of an injured skier. At approximately 1:00 PM, the 55 year old skier took a 900-foot tumbling fall near the east side of Flattop Mountain. His friends were able to phone for help immediately, and rangers reached the man around 3:00 PM. He was stuck at 10,600 feet with numerous injuries in 15-40 mph winds and blizzard conditions.

The rangers had an evacuation in progress when LCSAR members Borowski, Lee, Smith, Sneed, Verbit, Yoh, Bratrud, Francis, and Erickson arrived at the park. They proceeded up the trail from Bear Lake and met the evacuation team near the Flattop Trail/Lake Helene Trail junction, and helped tow the subject in a snow litter for the final mile to Bear Lake and a waiting ambulance.

Page out: 2:30 PM
Muster at Safeway: 3:15 PM
Leave RMNP cache: 4:55 PM
Meet evac team: 6:00 PM
Leave RMNP Cache: 7:15 PM
Subject's Location (approx Lat/Lon WGS84) 40.320, -105.665

Newspaper article on the mission.

The Estes Park News » Rescue Incident at Rocky Mountain National Park

Red Line

January 9 2011 (Sunday) Avalanche Training/Highway 14 MVA/Dog Rescue (Poudre Canyon near Gateway Park)

0900 hours. It was a cold and snowy morning. Our avalanche field rescue was scheduled to happen near Montgomery Pass. We had 12 LCSAR team members leaving from the SAR Cache for the practice, with two additional LCSAR members driving direct. In addition, there were three LCSAR members that left earlier in the day to go up to the Zimmerman Lake parking lot in the Montgomery Pass area to set up the avalanche scenario. The roads, even leaving from the SAR Cache, were completely snow packed, with a steady snow falling.

As Truck 10 and the caravan of LCSAR members approached Ted's Place, we heard radio traffic that there had been an MVA rollover near Gateway Park. Dispatch was sending the dive team, as well as two ES units. Since we were already en route, and closer to the scene, the SAR manager contacted S-17 via radio, and was directed to stage at Gateway Park. If first on scene, the SAR team was to assess the situation, determine whether all occupants were out of the vehicle and out of the water, etc.

Before arriving at Gateway Park, radio traffic indicated that a PFA unit had arrived prior to us. PFA was standing down the dive team, and advised that all occupants were out of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the caravan of SAR team members stopped at Gateway Park to re-assess road conditions. The SAR team members at Gateway Park (which was exclusively new S1 SAR members except for the SAR manager) agreed to continue forward towards the avalanche training at Zimmerman Lake. The roads were marginal, and radio traffic indicated there were numerous accidents around the county, with Highway 287 being closed at times.

Very close to the tunnel on Highway 14, we came upon another rollover MVA (hereinafter referred to as the "tunnel MVA") with an LCSAR member and his son who had stopped to assist (and were not part of our intended avalanche practice). The two occupants of this vehicle were "walking wounded." Our EMT/SAR member on scene evaluated the two subjects. It appeared, although there was no trauma visible to the naked eye, there was concern about other internal injuries, and it was recommended that they seek medical attention. Due to the high number of MVAs, and the County being on accident alert, it was questionable whether calling an ambulance to the scene made sense. It would take an ambulance a long time to get up the canyon to our location due to the road conditions. Therefore, the two occupants were loaded into the personal vehicle of one of the SAR members (with the EMT on board), for transport to PVH. However, the occupants of the tunnel MVA were distraught, because one of their two dogs who had been traveling with them, had crossed the frozen river after the accident, and could not be located. Since we had resources available, the SAR team members agreed to conduct a search for the black lab, and send the two subjects to PVH with our EMT.

Very shortly after our search began, the dog was seen on the far side of the river, part way up the hillside and laying in some rocks. The dog appeared to be responsive, but was not moving. Although the river had thick ice in spots, there was also open water running through the river at places, causing concern about the thickness of the ice and the safety of a crossing.

True to form, our group of recent BASART graduates (S1's/Class of 2010) urged the SAR manager to allow them to do a river crossing (with appropriate safety measures of course), and if necessary set up a high line to transport to the dog back to the nearside of the river.

One member did the ice/river crossing, with two safety lines, PFD, snow shoes, and other equipment to secure the dog. Another SAR member acted as a safety with a throw line downstream. Throughout this time, two additional SAR members competently and efficiently acted as traffic patrol at the two ends of the icy stretch of highway, to slow down traffic and allow for one lane passage.

The river crossing was successful. The SAR member was able to reach the dog, and carry the dog (albeit precariously) down a slick hillside. At the river bank, the dog was attached to one of the safety lines and was able to cross the river on her own power, with the gentle guiding and pulling of SAR members on the safety line. Thereafter, the SAR member crossed from the far side to the nearside of the river without incident. Thus, the highline did not have to be utilized (probably to the disappointment of our new S1 team).

The dog was loaded into one of the SAR member's vehicles and wrapped in a sleeping bag to try to warm it. As arrangements were being made to transport the dog to a veterinarian, another vehicle approached the scene from up canyon. That vehicle of good Samaritans was carrying two more occupants of another rollover MVA (hereinafter referred to as "Stove Prairie MVA"). The two subjects from the Stove Prairie MVA were assessed by one of our first responders. Again, although there were no injuries to the naked eye, there was concern about possible internal injuries, and again, a decision made to transport the individuals to the mouth of the canyon by one of our personal vehicles. Our SAR members started down the canyon with the two occupants from the Stove Prairie MVA. Those subjects then asked our SAR member if they could go back to the scene of their accident (several miles up the canyon) to get "information" out of their vehicle. Reluctantly, the subjects were driven back to their vehicle, only to find out they did not want to get information, but wanted to get all of their gear out of their vehicle (estimated to be 75 feet down an embankment). Unbeknownst to these subjects, a couple of their friends had come by the MVA, and already taken all of their gear out of their vehicle, and driven down the canyon to Ted's Place.

Incidentally, about halfway through the dog rescue, the SAR manager asked dispatch to send out a page, canceling the avalanche practice up at Zimmerman Lake since the MVA's and dog rescue consumed several hours. Unfortunately, radio contact was not available with either the In-Town-Coordinator in town or the members who were up at Zimmerman Lake setting up the practice.

All SAR resources returned to town and were released. As a side note, this group of SAR members really did not need a SAR manager on scene. They efficiently and effectively ran the operations, and dealt with multiple issues with little or no guidance. In fact, they may have felt they were baby-sitting the SAR manager. When the SAR manager took Truck 10 to get refueled, a number of the members were still in the cache parking lot upon the truck's return, to make sure the SAR manager got back to quarters safely. The SAR manager would like to think, however, they were just lingering in the parking lot to make lunch plans.

In the end, our SAR team, who started out for an avalanche practice, was diverted to assist in some fashion on three different MVAs, and complete a dog rescue. Two subjects were transferred directly to PVH, two subjects were transferred to friend's vehicles at Ted's Place, and two dogs (including the one that was rescued, as well as the subject's other dog that was not lost) was transported to the emergency veterinary clinic for assessment. Very well done team!

Statistics:
LCSAR members – 17
Emergency services personnel involved – 0
Other agencies involved – State Patrol (periodic contact)
Total Hours – 100 hours
Total Miles driven – 300 miles

Allen W. - SAR manager

A rare chance for 'closure' for anyone curious:

Driver of the "tunnel mva" was checked in to PVH ER - released shortly after 13:00 PM
Passenger of "tunnel mva" refused medical (vitals all within normal limits entire time)
Dog 1 - Springer/Black lab mix - transported with above human occupants. Checked out with no injuries by vet student on scene and secondary exam at vet hospital when re-united with his 'brother'. Friendly lap-warmer ;-)
Dog 2 - Aussie/Black lab mix - body temp ~5 degrees below normal. No other obvious trauma/injuries. Snuggled in warming blankets at vet hospital - full recovery expected.

Great showing of adaptability on a non-traditional 'mission' -denise

Red Line

Larimer County Search and Rescue Mission Reports 2011

Mission Reports by Year

MOST RECENT MISSIONS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE

Thursday, December 15, 2011, Berthoud, Missing Person.

November 11, 2011 (Friday) Owl Canyon - Missing 2 Year Old

November 2, 2011 (Wednesday) Big Elk Meadows - Missing 52'YOA Female Hiker

October 31, 2011 (Monday) Gianttrack Mountain Estes Park - Suicidal Subject

October 30, 2011 (Sunday) Lone Pine - Missing Hunter

October 26, 2011 (Wednesday) Grey Rock - Suicidal Subject

October 26, 2011 (Wednesday) RMNP Assist/Chaos Canyon - Missing 20's-Year-Old Male Hiker

October 14, 2011 (Friday) Alpine Assist - Missing 74-year-old Male Hiker

September 16, 2011 (Friday) Monument Gulch - Assist to Two Lost Bow Hunters

September 8, 2011 (Thursday) Loveland - Missing Alzheimer's Patient

August 29, 2011 (Monday) West White Pine - Body Recovery

August 28, 2011 (Sunday) RMNP Chasm Lake - Carry Out Assist

August 18, 2011 (Thursday) Pingree Park - Suicidal Subject

August 7, 2011 (Sunday) Boulder County Assist/Camp St. Malo - Missing 65 Year Old Male

August 4, 2011 (Thursday) North Fort Collins - Missing 11 Year Old

August 4, 2011 (Thursday) RMNP - Search and Carry Out Assist

July 31, 2011 (Sunday) Pole Hill Road/Estes Park, Missing 7 Year Old

July 29, 2011 (Thursday) Poudre River, Request to Assist the Dive Team

July 28, 2011 (Thursday) Comanche Peak/Emmaline Trailhead, Overdue Father and Daughter

July 24, 2011 (Sunday) Horsetooth & Red Feather Areas

July 24, 2011 (Sunday) Estes Park/Old Man Mountain - Extracation Assist/Female Stuck in "The Crack"

July 22, 2011 (Friday) Gateway Park - Medical & Carryout Assist/Female Having Seizures

June 28, 2011 (Wednesday) Chaffee County (Missouri Mountain) Assist - Missing Father & Daughter

June 25, 2011 (Saturday) Loveland/Ptarmigan Run - Missing Child

June 23, 2011 (Thursay) Grey Rock - Missing Hikers

June 23, 2011 (Thursday) Mishwaka - Dive Team Assist/Rafting Incident

June 21, 2011 (Tuesday) Grey Rock - Carryout of Injured Hiker

June 19, 2011 (Sunday - Father's Day) Grey Rock - Search for Missing Hiker

LCSAR GREY ROCK SEARCH FIND LOCATIONS

June 16, 2011 (Thursday) Dive Team Assist - Poudre River Rafters at Mishawaka

June 4, 2011 (Saturday) Grey Rock Search

June 2, 2011 (Thursday) RMNP Injured Climber Carryout Assist

June 2, 2011 (Thursday) Grey Rock Carryout Fallen Hiker

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Larimer County Search and Rescue Mission Report

May 29, 2011 (Sunday) Dirt Bike MVA

May 27, 2011 (Friday) Fallen Climber

May 22, 2011 (Sunday) Electric Ocean - Fallen Climber

Larimer County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Larimer County Search and Rescue Mission Report

May 22, 2011 (Sunday) Rocky Mountain National Park Assist

May 13, 2011 (Friday) Assist Loveland PD on Possible Suicide

April 23, 2011 (Saturday) PFA Assist for Carryout of Female with Broken Ankle

April 8 & 9, 2011 (Friday and Saturday) Keenesburg Dog Assist for Missing Female

April 1, 2011 (Friday) Bobcat Ridge Rescue in 0-6 Minutes

February 28 2011 (Monday) Overdue Delivery Person

February 22 2011 (Tuesday) Missing Person - JJ's Larimer County

January 30 2011 (Sunday) Overdue Hikers - Round Mountain Trail/Lower Big Thompson Canyon

January 29 2011 (Saturday) RMNP Assist with Carry Out of Injured Hiker - Peacock Pool

from Sarah Eller...

Peacock Mission, RMNP, - by Russell Giesey

Subject: Luckiest Saturday of My Life

January 12 2011 (Wednesday) RMNP Assist with Carry Out of Injured Skier - Flattop Mountain

January 9 2011 (Sunday) Avalanche Training/Highway 14 MVA/Dog Rescue (Poudre Canyon near Gateway Park)

Larimer County Search and Rescue
Mission Reports 2011

Mission Reports
by Year