News & Updates From Routt County Search & Rescue

Spring Edition - April 2026

• Team Debrief: Stats & Missions
• Radio Chatter: News & Announcements
• Team Talk: Years of Service Achievements

2026 Year-to-Date

Dispatch

Select Mission Summaries - Q1

Below are highlights of select missions from the first quarter of 2026.

KEEP SAR TRUCKIN'

An anonymous donor created a matching grant through the Colorado Gives Foundation, matching donations up to $32,500 for the remainder of the funds RCSAR needed for its new rescue truck. The fund exceeded expectations and as of the end of March, the total donations were $66,950. We are incredibly grateful to this anonymous donor and all the businesses and individuals who contributed to this campaign and supported our team. With your help, we reached our goal of $300,000! Our new truck gets delivered in a few months.

THREE FORKS RANCH FUNDRAISER

From March 20-22, 2026, Three Forks Ranch hosted a fundraiser for RCSAR. Guests were invited to spend a weekend at the beautiful lodge and spa, enjoying recreational activities, spa treatments, delicious meals, and excellent company. Thanks to Three Forks and all the guests who supported us.

PASH n BURN FUNDRAISER

On March 21, 2026, the annual Pash n Burn Banked Slalom event was held at Steamboat Resort. The event was recently renamed in honor of Alex Pashley, one of the founders of the event who passed away in an avalanche last winter in British Columbia. Alex had roots in Steamboat Springs and Jackson, Wyoming, and the event organizers used this year’s event to raise funds for RCSAR and Teton County SAR.

Photo Courtesy of Steamboat Resort

Years of Service Achievements

Volunteering for search and rescue is a demanding volunteer experience involving a significant time commitment for training and incident response. Incidents are usually urgent in nature, requiring volunteers to drop everything day or night to respond. Missions can last from several hours to several days. In part due to this time commitment, search and rescue teams generally see a fairly high rate of turnover. RCSAR is fortunate to have several long-standing leaders in the organization whose expertise and knowledge are invaluable to the team.  

Russ Sanford - 30 Years

Reflecting on three decades of service, Russ said “it’s become part of my identity, part of who I am.” Even as busy as he is, he can’t bring himself to let go of his role with RCSAR. And we’re so glad he can’t! Russ has given so much to RCSAR over the years as a Board Member, Incident Commander, team leader, mentor, and instructor. On the Board, Russ served for 4 years as President, in addition to several years as Vice President and Training Director and Secretary. Russ is an expert at technical ropes rescue, land navigation, and tracking, and he continues to teach classes on these skills. Russ was voted member of the year three times, and the team voted to add Russ to the distinguished list of Lifetime Members.

Russ and his wife, Trenia moved to Steamboat Springs in 1995. In Trenia’s case, it was a move back to Steamboat Springs as she’s a fourth generation Steamboat rancher. Russ grew up elk hunting with his dad, who taught survival skills courses in the Air Force and ran an outdoor education program. When Russ heard about RCSAR, a group of avid outdoorsmen who put their skills to use helping people, he was quick to volunteer.

His most memorable missions are ones that were powerful and lengthy missions that challenged the team. In every case, he said the team rose to the challenge. In 2009, Russ played an integral role in the rescue of an 8 year old boy who had fallen into Fish Creek during spring runoff. Russ, Kristia Check-Hill, and other team members built a highline, a ropes system designed to ferry the boy across the raging creek with Russ as the attendant. While the child miraculously survived, his mother, who had also fallen in the creek, tragically did not. Another impactful mission was the recovery of Drew Hyde, a local skier who died in an avalanche. Russ served as the Incident Commander for the two day operation, first bringing Hyde’s skiing partner safely out of the backcountry and then bringing Hyde home. As the Incident Commander, Russ provided calm and clear leadership. He said he was incredibly proud of what the team accomplished. He’s learned that when you put the right people in the right places, you can do amazing things.

Over the years, a lot of things have changed considerably. Russ believes the single biggest change has been with navigational technology. When he started with the team, he used a map and compass and every missing or lost person mission began with detective skills and tracking. Today, 911 calls provide location coordinates, and cell phones have become important backcountry safety tools. He treats his own cell phone like gold, always carrying it in a protective sleeve and carrying extra battery power for it.

Russ’s dedication to helping people extends beyond RCSAR. He served as a Captain in the US Army, and he’s worked for 34 years as a chiropractor and 10 years as a firefighter with Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue. He said there’s something in his soul that enjoys helping people and making an effort to make things better for others. Russ - your dedication to this community and our team is extraordinary, and we are so thankful for all that you’ve given us!

Photos Courtesy of Matt Stensland

Kristia Check-Hill - 25 Years

If you’ve followed RCSAR’s news stories over the years, you’ve likely heard Kristia’s name. She’s been a steadfast and dedicated member of the team, serving as a long-time Incident Commander, Medical Officer, and Team Leader. She also served on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for 12 years and later in an At-Large position. Kristia’s team members voted her Member of the Year four times, and she is an invaluable mentor to many of us.

Kristia and her husband, David moved to Steamboat Springs in early 2000. David joined RCSAR that year, and Kristia joined the following year, getting her first rescue number (57) that summer. She was drawn to the team to meet people and gain skills and experience in the backcountry with people she could trust. Kristia has stayed with the team for 25 years because of the hugs and thank yous from people aided by RCSAR, the camaraderie with fellow team members, and the many good memories.

Kristia became a certified EMT in 2005. In addition to serving as Medical Lead on many missions, she provides medical guidance, training, and equipment management in her role as Medical Officer. Kristia has been involved with countless impactful missions and says some of the most memorable have been the survival stories, including two individuals who survived multiple days alone and injured in the backcountry. She learned a lot from their resilience and resourcefulness. Kristia was also an integral member of the team involved in the mission described in the article on Russ above, involving the rescue of an 8 year old boy who fell in Fish Creek.

Kristia has seen a lot of changes over the years. Unlike today when the team has 40 members, she volunteered in years when the team was lean and she responded to nearly every mission. She remembers several years in which she worked seamlessly with Jason Weber and Del Bostock, so in tune as a team that they barely had to speak. She said she’s been lucky to always work for an employer who supported her and allowed her to leave work at a moments notice. When she’s not busy with RCSAR, you can find Kristia skiing or biking depending on the season.

Kristia reflected on the most important things she’s learned in her years of volunteering, saying "be compassionate, be humble, and see the big picture." Kristia has, throughout her career, been a shining example of these traits. From all of your team members Kristia, thank you for your selfless dedication to the team!

Jason Blair



Jason has dedicated 10 years to the team. He is currently a Team Leader and a member of the new drone team, helping to establish RCSAR’s drone program. Jason previously served on the Board of Directors in an At-Large position.

Mike Powell



Mike has volunteered with the team for 10 years. He’s retiring this year, and we’ll miss his calm and confident presence and capable response to missions. Good luck in your future endeavors Mike! We wish you the best!

Geo Romero



Geo has volunteered with RCSAR for 10 years. He’s currently a Team Leader and a member of the new drone team. He previously served on the Board of Directors as the team’s Equipment Director for 2 years. 

Additionally, several team members hit their 5th anniversary with the team. Thanks to Gabi Masse, Grant Stinson, Justin Bawden, Michael Lackey, Michael Finn, Michelle Olson, and Tim Wohlgenant for their ongoing dedication to the team!