Mount Princeton Rescue Effort

by | Jan 29, 2013 | Previous Missions

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Rescue effort Deputy Marty Johnson assists search and rescue volunteers preparing to ascend Mt. Princeton trail. Chaffee County Search and Rescue located four people and two dogs Sunday afternoon after the group became stranded above the Mount Princeton trailhead, according to a Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office press release Jan. 28. Officials located Buena Vista residents John Buschmann, 28; Derek Howe, 26; Byron Diamond, 25; and Glendale resident Brittany Nipert, after the four spent Saturday night in a chalet above the trailhead. Nipert’s age is unknown, according to the release. Undersheriff John Spezze said the group tried to descend the trail Sunday morning, only to realize a snow slide had obstructed the route. The group returned to the chalet to call for help, he said. The release states that sheriff’s deputy Marty Johnson told the group to remain where they were and abandon their plan to try to descent to the west, “which would have put them either off a cliff or into far more dangerous avalanche country,” the release stated. Rescuers using snowmobiles and snowcats reached the stranded group at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon and had them back at the trailhead an hour-and-a-half later, according to the release. Everyone in the group, including the two dogs, were uninjured and in good health. Spezze said the group used “good, common sense” in deciding to return to the chalet to call for assistance. “They did the smart thing,” Spezze said. “We knew the weather would change today and we wanted to get them out before it got bad.” The chalet, Spezze said, is a rock structure...

Agnes Valle Falls – Ibex Rescue Story

by | Oct 11, 2011 | Previous Missions

Here is the Bill Hughes version, best I can remember. (written 2011-07-17) THANKS!! Thanks to Chaffee County Search and Rescue North (“Take Care of Business”) for the amazing work and kindness to strangers in a bad situation. I cannot imagine a better example of the best of America has to offer. My deepest and most sincere thanks to the volunteers of Chaffee County Search and Rescue North, including: Doctor Rick Ruider, James (wow!), Aaron, Bill, Chris, Pete, Joe ( Subject Matter Expert with ~45 year’s experience in mountain rescue, Joe sits at the bottom with a radio in case the rescue team is not sure what to do). I also want to thank the members of Team Ibex for the experience, education, and brotherhood offered to me: Rescued Number 1 – Tony – The eldest member of our team at 51, Tony never wavered. This is the man you want on your team when things are going badly. You are an inspiration Tony. Rescued Number 2 – Scott – In many ways, Scott is the engine of Ibex, pushing the group to get together and continue to seek opportunities for brotherhood. Always ready to go. Rescued Number 3 – Bill – The observer. I hope I helped in some way. Rescued Number 4 – Karl – Provided humor to lift spirits, and group prayers to protect. Karl was NOT sick! Just a little altitude cough.   It’s Go Time! Rescued Number 5 – Don – Experienced in mountaineering, Don and his nephew John provided training and education to those of us with less knowledge. Thanks for the help Don...

Body of missing hiker discovered

by | Sep 28, 2011 | Previous Missions

9/28/2011 10:14:00 AM    Body of missing hiker discovered by Cailey McDermott The body of Wayne Kirkbride, 61 of Monument, missing since Sunday evening, was found about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in a steep, rocky area near Cascade Falls on 14,269-foot Mount Antero. Chaffee County Undersheriff John Spezze reported Kirkbride, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces lieutenant colonel, was spotted by a U.S. Army helicopter search pilot. Chaffee County Search and Rescue teams, assisted by several other agencies, were directed to the body from the air. They confirmed identity of the body and announced to other searchers he was dead. Spezze reported preliminary observation suggests Kirkbride fell from the crest of a steep slope. Time of death had not been determined by late Tuesday afternoon. Because the body is in steep, rocky terrain, Spezze said extrication will be difficult, requiring a specialized team. That operation will begin early today, he said. Spezze said six search and rescue teams, five search dogs and the helicopter aided in the search all day Monday and most of Tuesday. Kirkbride began his climb of the peak about 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Spezze said. Kirkbride’s wife, Melanie, told searchers Sunday his intention was to summit the peak and return to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort where they were staying. When he hadn’t returned late Sunday, she called the sheriff’s office. Rescuers began searching Monday morning. Kirkbride’s locked car was found on Cascade Hill by deputies. Melanie described her husband as an “exceptionally skilled outdoorsman” who has completed 18 climbs of 14,000-foot peaks. He was adequately equipped with a backpack, food, water and extra clothing, she said....

Rescuers respond to two incidents

by | Sep 5, 2011 | Previous Missions

Rescuers load Shawn Erickson, 42 of Fort Collins, into a Flight for Life helicopter Saturday on Grizzly Peak in northern Chaffee County. He was injured in a 50 foot fall down a slope. Chaffee County Search and Rescue North required assistance from two helicopters to rescue hikers from different mountains Saturday. Courtesy photo by Terry Peavler Rescuers respond to two incidents   Kevin Hoffman Mail Staff Writer Separate hiker rescues, one from 14,361-foot La Plata Peak and the other from 13,988-foot Grizzly Peak, were conducted Saturday by Chaffee County Search and Rescue North personnel and two medical helicopters. Chaffee County Sheriff Pete Palmer said a call for help was about received at 8 a.m. for John Miller, 61 of Littleton, who had chest pains and believed he was having a heart attack. He and his brother, Duncan Miller, 56 of Evergreen, sent a SPOT emergency beacon page to International Emergency Unit which relayed the distress message to Chaffee County authorities. The men were on an overnight hiking trip to the summit of La Plata Peak. Palmer said they started from La Plata Peak Trailhead near the old mining town of Winfield. Meanwhile, two unknown medical doctors hiking the area happened upon the victim. Suspecting a heart attack, they administered first aid and stayed with Miller and his brother. A Flight for Life helicopter landed about 12:30 p.m. and with volunteers on hand and medical personnel to help, Miller was airlifted to St. Anthony Hospital in Denver. Palmer said he spoke with Miller by telephone Sunday. Miller expressed thanks for the two unidentified doctors on the trail when he required...