Apparently there was a Search and Rescue operation in the Ticaboo Mesa area on Friday-possibly the Hard Day area. Has anyone heard more about this?
Trip Report
Apparently there was a Search and Rescue operation in the Ticaboo Mesa area on Friday-possibly the Hard Day area. Has anyone heard more about this?
MikeDallin
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MikeDallin
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peakbaggers
The state of Utah badly needs a “Search and Rescue Card” program like Colorado has. This has been mentioned on this forum before. This would have to be a bill run through your state assembly to create. Check out this link to learn more about it. http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251592090523
In regards to donations, last springs “Irish Jihad” was an attempt to do so. Besides a participation fee/donation, we were able to make a contribution through Jared Hillhouse & North Wash Outfitters. Perhaps businesses like his could be contacted to participate in a permanent donation/collection program until Utah gets a Search and rescue card program in place. Note that on the Search & rescue card in Colorado, certain costs are not covered such as medical transport. That could be the biggest part of the bill if a helicopter rescue is involved.
Mountaineer
Great idea, and still voluntary. I would like to see something like this combined with a training certification, perhaps an optional add on to the card.
EvergreenDean
I’ve had discussion with folks in the community about how these counties could enforce the collection of the rescue costs. I would be happy to lay out a road map for making these costs enforceable. AC board, let me know if I can help.
Ram
i passed your offer on to Wayne County. Thanks
gajslk
Hand the victims a bill. If I screw up or get unlucky and need a rescue, I’d be happy to pay. I’m pretty sure that’s how it works here in Colorado. If you spend a little money for a hunting or fishing license, you’re covered, and SAR gets the money from the state.
Gordon
Ram
They have been charging just what the rescue has cost, which can be BIG if a copter is involved. How much an hour for that? They seemed generally generous as to the finances. They just don’t want to go broke, kill their own vehicles and miss too many days of income from their jobs doing the SAR’s. They also don’t want people not asking for help due to concern for the costs they will be charged.
Bootboy
You can’t fix stupid
Ram
With the huge influx of new people to the sport, the level of experience per participant and leadership within groups, is a lot lower ( a guess). This and sheer numbers will lead to what we (They) are seeing. As to what seems like such odd choices by the wounded?
Deagol
this growth does not seem sustainable, doesn’t seem like a good thing.
Mountaineer
BSA data agrees. I finished helping teach a 3 day scout leader climb training course Saturday (L1), and most of the students were there to take scouts canyoneering. It seems the popularity of the activity is increasing rapidly.
BSA is setting the requirements higher. Before, many leaders with no experience climbing could pass the old 3 day program. Now, you need to get a L1, then a L2, then an additional canyoneering level beyond that before you can take scouts out. There were a lot of complaints from the students with all the new rules and gates required of them. This thread supports the ‘why’.
Training (including not just technical skills), and experience will certainly help reduce these rescues.
Dan Ransom
i am damn near speechless. i don’t know what to think anymore about all this nonsense. one thing is for sure, there is no way this type of SAR activity is sustainable, I think it’s pretty obvious where it’s all headed, and none of the possible outcomes are positive for canyoneering.
very disappointing, i hope we as a community can brainstorm some ways to raise some funds for wayne and garfield counties. much respect to those teams for their sacrifices.
Bootboy
The problem is that those who are truly members of “the community” aren’t the ones creating these situations, generally speaking.
While there are experienced and skilled people who occasionally get into trouble, there is an undeniable correlation between inexperience and accidents. People don’t know what they don’t know. The only reasonable thing is to charge for rescues. Canyon country (BLM, NPS, etc…) aren’t resorts where your lift ticket is your insurance policy. I’m not saying that there should be a full time staff for rescue, but SAR members should be compensated for time and travel.
I do like the idea of a fundraiser and I have no opposition to local SAR units soliciting donations. I wonder if someone could set up a way to easily make donations to these small communities with money earmarked for SAR operations…
But like you said, I don’t like where this is all headed for the community.
Ram
Conference call of the board is happening right now and ideas to provide support being discussed. More soon
http://www.americancanyoneers.org/
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanCanyoneers
Ram
Wayne County is a county with minimal population and resources. They are taking the brunt of called in rescues in eastern Utah. they drive their own vehicles out to these SAR’s, usually from the Loa area. They need help financially. ideas forthcoming soon.
R
Ram
I don’t even know where to start. A bunch of incomplete pieces over the last several weeks, courtesy of Wayne county SAR leader.
*Wayne County was headed out to Ticaboo Mesa to assist on a SAR called by Garfield Co. Before getting out there, they saw and were informed that an evac occurred by copter by UHP Public Safety.
* The injury was supposedly a female with 2 broken legs
* The Wayne Co. SAR guy had been in Hard Day Harvey before and thinks it was the system to the north, on the east end of Ticaboo Mesa. Sounds like, but unconfirmed…The Dantes
*before Wayne County even got to pavement, they were called for a rescue in the Ralston narrows of Bluejohns
*Bluejohn group were boy scouts. The leader got his arm caught under the rope, on the rap into Horseshoe, fell off balance and broke his arm
* SAR arrived at 11 PM and found the victim in hypothermia. The rescue took into the next AM with a copter evac
That was just Friday. SAR shared some details (horror stories) from the last few weeks too.
* About three weeks ago, Wayne County SAR got 9, yes I said 9 SAR calls, in 5 days
* Many have heard a bit about the Alcatraz story. The fellow about 70 years old, got wedged in one of two spots in the 2nd half of the slots. After many HOURS, he managed to finally slip down to the ground, then took OFF his shoes and socks and finished the canyon, hiked beyond that, missed the exit, hiked another 3 miles to near main TCB, got ledged out, was finally found and evaced. His feet were mince meat
*SAR referred to an accident in Not Minbender that same time period. It may have been Mindbender? Likely loss of control on the final rap, led to two broken legs, one compound. SAR said he crawled all the way to the Moki exit, three miles? Then was found and coptered out
SAR REQUESTS THAT INJURED PARTIES STAY WHERE THEY ARE AFTER THE CALL FOR HELP IS MADE.
Mountaineer
Thanks for inquiring and posting up. Huge thanks to SAR.
Mountaineer
Seems there is no press on it right now. I know a couple of previous rescues mentioned on the forums did not receive media attention either. Some make it to the news, others do not.
Hope all are OK.