October 28, 2023

Hunter Falls Ill in North Routt Hunting Camp

RCSAR was paged for the rescue of a hunter in north Routt County who was breathing but unresponsive. RCSAR rendezvoused with North Routt Fire Protection District (NRFPD) firefighters and Three Forks Ranch personnel near the Wyoming border and then traveled approximately 45 minutes by ATV and UTV into the remote hunting camp. Due to weather conditions, medical flight crews were unable to fly and provide assistance. The teams carried the hunter approximately 500 yards and then loaded him into a UTV for evacuation to a waiting ambulance. In all, the mission took almost 7 hours. We want to extend a huge thank you to Three Forks Ranch for providing RCSAR team members with a hot meal after the rescue and NRFPD for their assistance.

December 17, 2023



3 Missions in 12 Hours - Snowmobilers Lost & Injured

RCSAR was initially paged for the first mission the evening of December 16. Two snowmobilers were stuck in the North Fork of Fish Creek, several miles above Fish Creek Falls. RCSAR's Incident Command team reviewed their location, preparedness to spend the night out, and risks of a night time rescue - including potential avalanche danger. A decision was made to wait until the following morning to field a rescue team. The snowmobilers were able to maintain a fire throughout the night.

On the morning of Sunday, December 17, Classic Air Medical flew four RCSAR skiers to the top of the drainage, while several additional team members responded on snowmobiles, tracked ATV's, and the tracked UTV. After dropping the skiers, Classic Air Medical located the two snowmobilers and dropped a bag of supplies to get them fed and hydrated before the teams arrived. Two team members also traveled to the top of Buffalo Mountain to establish BCA radio communications with the two snowmobilers, and the remaining team members traveled to the Fish Creek Reservoir area. Three additional skiers were shuttled in via snowmobile to assist the first ski team. Once RCSAR reached the snowmobile party, they were able to work with the two stranded snowmobilers to free their equipment and get it out of the drainage.

As the team was returning to the staging area at the Dry Lake trailhead on Buffalo Pass, RCSAR was paged for the second rescue of the day: an injured snowmobiler on Rabbit Ears Pass. The snowmobile team quickly loaded up equipment and drove nearly 30 miles to the Dumont Lake trailhead. Due to the severity of the patient's injuries, Classic Air Medical responded to the scene and decided to fly the patient to a front range hospital for treatment.

While the team was loading the severely injured patient into the helicopter on Rabbit Ears Pass, RCSAR was paged for the third call of the day: the rescue of an injured snowmobiler on Buffalo Pass.

Several team members who were not involved with the Dumont Lake rescue, were in the process of demobilizing the rescue truck after the Fish Creek mission. Thus, they were able to quickly prepare and respond to the third call. Additional team members met at the staging area at Dry Lake, where they used the tracked UTV and ATV to access the injured snowmobiler, who fortunately was right off the groomed road. The snowmobiler, who suffered a lower leg injury, was transported by the team down to the trailhead.

John Williams, RCSAR Incident Commander, expressed how proud he was of the many team members who stepped up and smoothly transitioned from one mission to the next. Williams was in command for all three missions, which had team members in the field for over 12 hours.

December 28, 2023 

Stuck Snowmobiler

At approximately 7 PM, RCSAR was paged to assist two snowmobilers who were stranded on Rabbit Ears pass and unable to reach the trailhead. RCSAR dispatched a team of snowmobilers and a team of skiers in order to safely reach the stranded party. The snowmobilers were well prepared and able to maintain a fire while waiting for RCSAR's team to arrive. Around 10:50 PM, the RCSAR ski team reached the stranded snowmobilers and were able to assist them with freeing their equipment in order to travel back to the trailhead.

Snowmobile Preparedness

RCSAR has assisted a number of snowmobilers this winter, and as noted in the mission summaries, some of them have been well-prepared for potential mishaps and unexpected nights out. In addition to the 10 Essentials (listed at the end of this newsletter and on the RCSAR website), below is a list of gear that our team members recommend snowmobilers carry on all outings in order to be prepared to spend the night out if necessary.

• Folding Saw - to cut firewood and potentially helpful for getting a sled unstuck.
• Firestarter - a tampon that can be dipped in the gas tank and used to start a fire or other form of fire starter.
• Foam Pad - to sit/stand on and keep your body off the cold snow.
• Extra Clothing - gloves, socks, goggles, a hat, and other warm layers.
• Metal Cup - to melt snow for drinking.
• Snowshoes - consider inflatable snowshoes, such as Yukon Charlies Airlift Inflatable Snowshoes if you need to leave your sled but can hike out.
• Machine Specific Items - extra spark plugs, belt, starter cord, tools and repair supplies.

Backcountry Education for Youth

Many people think of the Routt County Search & Rescue team as people willing to volunteer their time and energy to make someone's worst day in the backcountry a little bit better. As much as we love to test our training, fitness, and problem-solving skills on missions, we also aim to educate young people and prevent them from needing our services in the first place.

Over the past few years, RCSAR volunteers have participated in public outreach and education events across Routt County. Elementary school students, teenagers, and even adults, have had an opportunity to explore our motorized equipment, learn snow safety skills, and prepare for backcountry emergencies by learning the importance of packing and being able to use each of the 10 Essentials (see below or the RCSAR website).

This past summer, children participating in the City of Steamboat Springs' summer camp learned how to package someone in a vacuum mattress, transfer them to a litter, and safely wheel them out. While these children had only known each other for a few days, they showed impressive teamwork and communication skills during this activity.

Also this past summer, two RCSAR volunteers visited a BookTrails summer camp session near Steamboat Lake to teach them about the importance of backcountry preparedness and carrying the 10 Essentials. After RCSAR's presentation, the campers hiked up Hahn's Peak. Many of these middle school-aged children had backcountry experience in the company of adults, but the presentation prompted a conversation about what they would need to carry and do if one of their peers or an accompanying adult were in need of assistance in the backcountry.

To cap off the summer the City of Steamboat Springs' inaugural Touch-A-Truck event was held in the Howelsen Ice Arena and Romick Rodeo Grounds parking lot. Attendees were able to interact with the RCSAR trucks, trailers, UTV, and ATV's and talk to RCSAR members. Many sirens and lights were set off and imaginations sparked. Our partner for many missions, Classic Air Medical, also made an exciting appearance with their helicopter at the event.

This winter we will be partnering with the City of Steamboat Springs again to host a program aimed at teaching local middle and high school students backcountry winter safety skills. During the three sessions, RCSAR volunteers will discuss extra considerations for backcountry winter travel and trip planning, proper clothing for high energy output winter travel, and a brief session on proper use of snow safety tools. The sessions conclude at Howelsen Hill with a beacon search in RCSAR's Beacon Basin and delicious pizza dinner.

RCSAR looks forward to inspiring the next generation of first responders and continuing to educate people of all ages in year-round backcountry safety.

The 10 Essentials

• Navigation: topo map, compass, GPS/GPS app
• Sun Protection: sunscreen, sunglasses/goggles, hat
• Insulation: extra layers, wool hat, gloves/mittens, buff, hand warmers
• Illumination: flashlight, headlamp, extra batteries
• First Aid: bandages, antiseptic wipes, splint
• Fire: lighter/waterproof matches, fire starter, saw
• Tools: knife, zip ties, duct tape, whistle, multi-tool, cell phone, avalanche gear
• Nutrition: high energy snacks (jerky, trail mix, etc.)
• Hydration: water, filter/purifier, cup to melt snow
• Shelter: sleeping bag, tent/tarp/bivy/space blanket