Mountain Rescue Training

We were warned that our SAR pagers would go off on Thursday evening to signal a mountain rescue training scenario. I anticipated where it would be staged and was pulling up to the parking lot as the page went off, so thanks to a lucky guess - I was the first one on site.

A hiker had fallen in the cliffs of Squaw Peak up behind the Provo Temple (about a 1/4 of the way up on the left of the photo above). I was assigned to go up with the 'hasty team' - which is the first couple of guys that are assigned to blaze up and locate, assess, stabilize the victim and then radio down to scene command in the parking lot to relay details. Two other teams followed, the medical and technical teams - both carrying more gear.

This was definitely my kind of gig.

Above is a photo I snapped of 'Cletus' - our victim with a fractured leg and concussion. We got to rig a pretty sweet belay system, load him into a rescue litter and haul his sorry butt off the mountain - mostly in the dark.

Below is a shot as he was lowered down the mountain.

I didn't get a lot of pics, since there was mucho action - but below is a shot looking over Provo as we finished taking down the belay ropes and headed down. Good times. . .

SAR - Ice Rescue

Our Search and Rescue field training in February was on a mostly frozen Utah Lake, where we learned some serious ice rescue skills. Not sure what knuckleheads are going to end up stranded in the water out there this time of year - but when they are we'll be ready. . .

We learned how to use this slick little 'Rescue Alive' sled that can shimmy quickly across ice or paddle through open water to reach a victim. Rescuers on shore pull the sled back in by the rope attached to the sled, once they're loaded and ready.

Then there were the hover-crafts. These bad boys can cruise along water or ice with power. They are propelled by a honkin' motor and fan attached to the back. Pretty fun stuff.

Search and Rescue dudes definitely have some sweet toys to play with.

Backyard Elk Tracking

There is a rumor that a herd of elk roam the field and golf course behind our house this time of year. Joshua and I decided to be adventurous and go see if we could track them down. Tracey and the girls said we are idiots - which confirmed for us that it was a good idea. Turns out there actually are elk down there! We found 'em.

Okay, so I learned that Joshua is not that great of a tracker. I turned around to see if he was keeping an eye on the herd while I adjusted lenses and above is what I saw coming at me. Punk. He's lucky his aim stinks or he would have been taken down.

Not sure what exactly is going on here, but the pond reflection is cool. Some sort of macho 'I just chased a herd of elk through the field' type of yell. I don't know what is up with the stick, either - but Josh said he wanted to be prepared if the elk charged us. Good to know we were safe in a worst case scenario, with the snowballs flyin' and all.

There was no Mr. Bull Elk with the lady herd today - so we may have to go searching again another day to see if we can track him down.