Falling boulder hits hiker on Colorado 14er, prompting helicopter extraction
Spencer McKee, Denver Gazette; Oct. 10, 2023 Among the highest reaches of Colorado, loose rock tends to be ample, making it crucial to proceed with extreme caution when above treeline. A search and rescue response that took place near the end of September highlighted this risk, when a hiker on the 14,077-foot Mount Columbia was struck by a falling boulder, sustaining an injury and requiring emergency rescue via a helicopter. At about 9:30 a.m. on September 25, Chaffee County Search and Rescue North got a request for help on the heavily-trafficked Collegiate Range peak. With the group able to provide their GPS location via a Garmin inReach device, the search and rescue team was able to insert a team member on a nearby ridge via helicopter, with this team member making contact with the group at about 11:50 a.m. The rescue subject reported that he was hit by a rock that tumbled down from above on the mountainside, which resulted in a likely lower arm fracture and an open laceration. While no additional rescuers were needed at the scene, a Helitack helicopter was rescued to bring the rescue subject and search and rescue team member from the technical terrain. By 1:30 p.m., both people were safely extracted and back at the aircraft bay. The subject was transported via Chaffee County EMS to Salida for treatment. Additional information about the condition of the rescue subject was not released, but given that the incident involved an arm fracture, it’s likely the patient will make a recovery. That being said, a situation like this is a good reminder that it could have been...Hiker calls 911 due to shakes and vomiting after getting stuck on 14er overnight
Hiker calls 911 due to shakes and vomiting after getting stuck on 14er overnight Spencer McKee, The Denver Gazette; Oct. 9, 2023 A high-elevation mountain rescue that took place last month in Colorado brought with it an important lesson that’s even more so crucial to pay attention to as the transition into colder fall weather continues. On September 13, a 73-year-old male set out to summit the 14,075-foot Mount Columbia near Buena Vista. He was successful in reaching the top of the peak, but quickly ran into trouble on his descent. As rain, snow, and fog rolled in, the man found it difficult to keep proceeding down the mountain, opting to stop and spend a night above treeline at close to 14,000 feet of elevation. The man made this decision despite not being prepared for a night in this type of terrain, with only a windbreaker, sweatshirt, jacket, and headlamp. The next morning, the man resumed his trek down the mountain before dawn, though he opted to call 911 for assistance due to experiencing extreme cold, shaking, and vomiting. His call placed him at about 13,700 feet of elevation on the eastern side of the peak. The man was advised to stop heading downhill and to wait for search and rescue given the extreme terrain he would have entered if he continued on his trajectory. By about 8:00 a.m., the hiker was spotted via helicopter and determined to be medically stable, soon flown to Denver’s Swedish Hospital for further evaluation. This incident highlights several important pieces of knowledge that all hikers in Colorado’s backcountry should be aware of. First...CCSAR-N offers backcountry weather ed class
Buena Vista’s Mal Sillars, meteorologist and NWS observer, gave a presentation on backcountry weather considerations and reading weather signs March 16. Hannah Harn Chaffee County Times reporter Mar 23, 2023 The CCSAR-N building was full to the brim with interested attendees. The presentation, hosted by Chaffee County Search and Rescue North and the Buena Vista Public Library, was geared toward backcountry explorers of all levels. Sillars first put the presentation together for the Upper Arkansas Wilderness Volunteers and later began sharing it with SAR as part of their training. “This is really the first public event,” Sillars said. “Search and Rescue has called me every year since then as part of their spring academy training, so what I do is basically for new members.” The idea for the event and the partnership with the library, Sillars said, came from Gina Lucrezi, training director for CCSAR-N. “She must have talked to somebody at the library,” he aid. “It was not long after I gave my presentation here that I heard from Sarah (Greenberg).” The event did prove popular – it was standing-room only – and attendees sat with rapt attention throughout and asked questions as the presentation wrapped. Attendees brought a wide range of experience, as well, with some able to identify specific places on trails where Sillars had taken photos. “I wasn’t sure there were gonna be that many people but it was a nice mix,” Sillars said, “apparently from different areas.” One of the main features of Sillars’ presentation was understanding how to prepare for changes at higher altitudes, whether due to increased sun exposure, thinner air or unexpected...Snowmobilers dig trench, build fire to survive night
Spencer McKee Special to Chaffee County Times Mar 22, 2023 While snowmobiles and off-road vehicles are often designed to handle extreme winter conditions, don’t assume that problems will never arise. According to Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North, about 60 percent of missions thus far in 2023 have been related to snowmobilers entering the backcountry and getting stuck in deep snow. Meanwhile, a similar issue of overconfident four-wheel-drive operators was highlighted in a recent incident in which a man used a drone to call for help. Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North recently brought up the issue on social media after conducting two ‘stuck snowmobile’ rescues last Sunday. In the first case, crews received a report that two snowmobilers were missing at about 10:15 p.m., Sunday. While the snowmobilers were prepared, they were ultimately found having to walk out of the backcountry after getting their sleds stuck, with the mission complete at 1:30 a.m., on the following morning. A second incident was reported just after midnight, with two snowmobilers reported missing near St. Elmo. These snowmobilers were eventually found more than 10 hours later, walking down from Tincup Pass after spending the night in the field and using a trench and fire for warmth. They, too, had gotten their snowmobiles stuck. Never assume that the backcountry will be navigable and always have a backup plan in place. Avoid solo travel and bring along a GPS communication device, such as a Garmin inReach, as this can help maintain a line of communication with the outside world. Always let someone know where you’re headed and when you’ll be back. If you’re interested in supporting...Mt Yale Mission 11/18/22
MT Yale Mission On Friday, November 18th, Chaffee County Search and Rescue – North conducted an operation to rescue a severely injured hiker off of Mt. Yale. At approximately 1600 Chaffee County Dispatch received a SOS activation from a Garmin InReach. A two person party were attempting Mt. Yale via the East Ridge. While descending, one of the parties fell, tumbled about 500’ and came to a stop in the rocks. The subject was face down and not moving. Injuries included broken bones, a head injury, and eventually hypothermia & frostbite. Luckily one of the parties had a Garmin InReach and made the call for help. 18 rescuers fielded to help with the rescue. A plan was made with hasty teams, and support teams to bring additional warm gear, a sked, and a litter. Helicopters were unfortunately not available at the time to insert rescuers due to weather. Ground teams made their way to the location of the injured party. CCSAR-N requested mutual aid from other SAR teams for support with this challenging mission. It was anticipated that a litter carry would be necessary to get the subject the 4+ miles out to the trailhead and additional support would be necessary. Chaffee County SAR – South, Lake County SAR, Custer County SAR, and others responded to this request. Rescuers faced a tough night of cold, wind, snow, steep terrain, and ice fields. Temperatures throughout the night were around 5 degrees with a windchill of minus 15 degrees. Winds gusted 20-30 mph. Incident Command implemented Cold Index Procedures to check on rescuers’ warmth every 15 minutes. A small team assembled...Donate to CCSARN
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