Articles

When to call for rescue

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Check out this great post by the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (COSAR).

When someone is injured or ill and cannot get back to their car on their own, that call is necessary and should be made sooner rather than later.  When someone is lost or overdue for a reasonable amount of time, and/or dangerous weather is approaching, that is also an obvious need for assistance.  

But in some circumstances the decision to call SAR is not so clear cut.

WHEN SHOULD I CALL SEARCH AND RESCUE?

Read the full post about what it means to ‘call for rescue’ here:

https://www.coloradosar.org/when-should-i-call-search-and-rescue/?fbclid=IwAR3Hyof4N2AGRIF4v4oLYHUE3a9qVt97avm62XFdQfYPP0lp02oZ_qbJoBY

A close call on the 4 pass loop

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A midnight rescue in July 2016 saved Wookie Kim’s life. His blog post here details that experience.

After a summer of running America, I was excited to return west and tackle another run on my ultra-running bucket list. The run was destined to be great.

But this run turned into the scariest experience of my life. By midnight that same day–17 hours after we’d left the trailhead at 5 a.m., and several hours past the absolute latest we anticipated being on the trails–I was passed out, convulsing and vomiting violently, stuck at 11,000 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountain wilderness. 

ON THE BRINK: MY BRUSH WITH DEATH WHILE RUNNING IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

We do what we do for outcomes like this, and appreciate reading about it in Wookie’s own words. Read the full blog post with photos and video here:

http://wookierunsamerica.com/blog/2017/7/10/on-the-brink-my-brush-with-death-in-the-rocky-mountains

Know Before You go

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Know Before You Go is a free avalanche awareness program developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize. In 1 hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.

You can watch videos, and learn more here: https://kbyg.org

Avalanche Rescue Card

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Check out this handy card we distribute to participants of our annual Winter Workshop.

The one side is a general overview of the various steps of avalanche companion rescue.

If you practice to refine your technique, rather than simply solving the contrived scenario quickly, during a real incident when panic and confusion inevitable become involved, you will be better able to go smooth and fast.

The opposite side is a score card to keep track of yourself as you practice companion rescue. Like golf, participants with the lowest score (fewest errors) win!

Companion Rescue Score Card

Links to resources

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LOCAL RESOURCES

REGIONAL & NATIONAL RESCUE LINKS

OTHER REGIONAL TEAMS

FIRE DISTRICTS

Summer Safety Tips

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Summer Safety Tips – Climbers

  • Elk Range is comprised of loose rocks
  • Warming temperatures, wildlife an climbers are factors in contributing to rock fall
  • Caution should be used with handholds and footing
  • Rocks are slippery when wet or snowy
  • Plan your primary route ahead of time
  • Prepare an alternate backup route
  • Cairns can be misleading
  • Be prepared for quick weather changes
  • Expect possible high winds
  • Altitude, dehydration and exhaustion impair judgment
  • Do not get separated from your group

Summer Safety tips – Communicating position

Most smart phone have the ability to capture coordinates
  • Example using an IPhone.
    1. Go to to privacy setting
    2. Turn Location Services to “on”
    3. Go to compass
    4. On the bottom read out the coordinates:  degrees , minutes ‘ and seconds “

Beacon Trainings

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Mountain Rescue Aspen is pleased to announce the installation of our new beacon park at the Snowmass Ski Area.  A state of the art beacon park has been installed on the skiers right side of Fanny Hill.  This is accessible day or night, with or without a lift ticket.  We highly encourage everyone to practice often with your beacon.  If no Mountain Rescue Aspen members are present at the park please feel free to have one of the Snowmass Ski Patrollers assist and answer any questions you may have. 

We currently do not have any scheduled trainings.  If you have a group interested in training please contact us.