SILT HAPPENS #07-2
Incidents: 07-006 to 07-043 (March - April, 2007)
In this issue: We have the highest number of incidents in 2 months to date
****** "Silt Happens" Back Issues ******

Content by Bego Gerhart (1T836) --- HTML by Barbara Fincham (1T810) using Microsoft FrontPage


GCSAR Home "Silt Happens" Member Profiles Schedule of Events Operations Statistics

 

3- 10, 11 GCSAR & NPS Arches Rock: Tech Rock Rescue T-Berry, Bego
3- 13  GCSAR Land Navigation - GPS, Compass - FUNSAR 10 Frank
3- 22 GCSAR

Air Ops- Direction Finder for ELTs and PLBs

Frank, Cody, Bego
3- 24 MSR

La Saloppet Ski Race - GCSAR and EMS in support

Jim, Bego
4- 10 GCSAR Land Navigation - field Frank
4- 26 GCSAR ATV Training Lee, Tex
5- 8 GCSAR River Rescue - classroom, with Fire Dept Dive Team  
5-??? Mesa Co Possible training with Mesa County, CO., in the "Dolores Triangle"  
5- 24 GCSAR River Rescue on the River  
6- 2, 3 & 9, 10

Mesa, CO: "Managing the Land Search Operation"

 
6- 12 GCSAR Tracking - classroom  
6- 28 GCSAR Tracking - field  
7- 10 GCSAR Ropes and Knots  
7- 26 GCSAR Summer Picnic and Foolery  

 

The other analogy is the lenticular cloud. The form remains, but all the moisture--the part you see-- is replaced every few seconds.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." --Helen Keller

The Grand County Insurance Company ---> Wear EAR and EYE PROTECTION and SEAT BELTS

Equipment that needs repair: Write it on the Board.

 

Incident Tally by Month
Average   J-1.7 F-2.8  M-8.6  A-11.3  M-12.5 J-7.2 [44.1]  J-5.9   A-4.8  S-6.9  O-9.1  [70.8]    N-5.3  D-1.8 [77.9]

   2007 -  J-3    F-2     M-14   A-24
   2006 -  J-1    F-4     M-  6   A-12     M- 14   J-10   [47]    J-  8    A-2     S- 6    O-17    [ 80 ]    N-9     D-2     [ 91 ]
   2005 -  J-4    F-3     M-13   A-12     M- 15   J- 5    [52]    J-  9    A-7     S-13   O-16    [ 97 ]    N-5     D-2     [104]
   2004 -  J-1    F-1     M-15   A-13     M-   9   J- 6    [45]    J-  2    A-5     S- 5    O-  3    [ 60 ]    N-3     D-5     [ 68 ]
   2003 -  J-2    F-1     M-  6   A-12     M- 11   J- 6    [38]    J-  7    A-5     S-11   O-  9    [ 70 ]    N-5     D-0     [ 75 ]
   2002 -  J-0    F-3     M-  9   A-  8     M- 10   J-12   [42]    J-  5    A-7     S- 7    O-  9    [ 70 ]    N-5     D-3     [ 78 ]
   2001 -  J-0    F-2     M-  5   A-11     M-   8   J- 6    [32]    J-  6    A-3     S- 2    O-  2    [ 45 ]    N-5     D-1     [ 51 ]
   2000 -  J-2    F-4     M-  9   A-13     M- 14   J- 7    [49]    J-  3    A-2     S- 9    O-  7    [ 70 ]    N-0     D-0     [ 70 ]
   1999 -  J-1    F-1     M-15   A-  4     M- 11   J- 8    [40]    J-  6    A-9     S- 9    O-13    [ 77 ]    N-7     D-2     [ 86 ]
   1998 -  J-0    F-1     M-  5   A-18     M- 15   J- 3    [42]    J-10    A-2     S- 4    O-  9    [ 67 ]    N-3     D-1     [ 71 ]  
   1997 -  J-4    F-6     M-10   A-  8     M- 16   J- 9    [53]    J-  4    A-6     S- 5    O-  9    [ 77 ]    N-8     D-0     [ 85 ]            
  

Full Moons: Mar 3, Apr 2, May 2, Jun 1 and blue 30, July 30

Rock Rescue Training     3- 3- 07
   Up in the domes at the west end of Fins and Things Jeep Trail.
   Pickoffs from the bottom up. Murray and Jim ascended steep slickrock up to the subject who was "stranded by topography," the modern phrase for stuck in a steep place. To protect the climb up, as rock climbers would do, they drilled holes and pounded in 1/2" or 5/8" stubby angle pitons. When they got to the subject, more angles were drilled in to create an anchor so the subject could be lowered to the ground and the rescuer could rappel off.
   Much discussion about the "math" of doing things this way: Safety margins for one person loads, potential loads on ropes and anchors- the "fall factor"- if the climber falls. Setting up the rappel system, leaving as little gear as possible, so the rope could be pulled down.
Responders: Jim, TBerry, Bego, Murray, Dave, Barbara, John Melissa

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from a teen friend: Boyfriends are a waste of time............. pick another hobby.

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07- 6    3- 9- 07     Overdue Hikers Cable Arch

   A young couple told friends where they were going. In the morning the friends said they hadn’t returned. Steve White went out to see if the car was still parked where the friends said it would be. Yup. Then Steve 1 T 6 asked what he should do. "Well, hike up to Cable Arch and find them." (Sort of duh, you know).
   So he did. And there they were.
   We had just arrived at the car. All was well.
   The gal had stuck a book of paper matches in her pocket at the last minute before the hike. They had a fire all night. What a good thing.
Responders: Rex Bego, Frank, Dave, Barbara, John, Mike and lifesaver Steve White 1 T 6

07- 7    3- 9- 07    Mtn Bikers No Lights Top of Portal Trail
  
These four guys ran out of daylight looking for the Portal Trail which leads down to the paved road. They were south of it by the big dome of rock at the top of Poison Spider Mesa. They had a cell phone and gave us GPS coordinates. We talked to them. Said they could see town. No problems other than dark. No matches.
   Rather than drive ATVs half the night to reach them, we decided to hike up the Portal Trail and a bit of cross country to reach them. After distributing headlamps and water, we all hiked down the trail. On the cross country part we marked our way with light sticks.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Dave, Barbara, Margy, Aug, Cody

Arches Rock Rescue Training    3- 10 and 11- 07

   This year was geared more towards the basics and what we usually do rather than the big wall rescue scene.
   Options, choices, decision making and the stuff you won’t find in Ken Phillip’s book. Using the equipment you have without having to carry in 400 lbs of stuff.
   Day 1: In the shed for the 10 essentials for backcountry travel and knot tying.
      In the afternoon, out on the rocks for litter carry techniques, belaying the litter down low angle slopes, simple anchor choices, techniques for rigging anchors, simple anchors for rappelling and belaying the rappeller and a bit on ascending rope.
   Day 2: Who does what and why before a search actually begins, information gathering, search strategy and resources, situational awareness, bolting anchors, hand drilling for a pounded in piton, pickoffs from above
Responders:
        Day 1: GCSAR: Jim G, Bego, Margy, Dave, Barbara, Jim W (retired)
                   Both: TBerry, Murray
                   NPS: Cherie B, Frank H, Nathaniel C, Kevin B, Kirk J
        Day 2: GCSAR: Jim G, Bego, Margy
                   Both: TBerry, Murray
                   NPS: Jim H, Frank H, Joe C, Kevin B

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"Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

                                                                   However, don’t bust the crust.

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07- 8     3- 11- 07     Cow Rescue     Arches Natural Park
   This incident started the day before when some cows broke into the Park. (No permit, no pictured ID and signatures didn’t match).
   At 10 am, the cowboys discovered one cow stuck in the muck not too far downmuck from the Delicate Arch parking lot.
   When the Rock Rescue Training Class was over, Bego and Margy drove out to the scene. Quite the scene. Joe Taylor, 2 of his Latino cowboys and Phyllis Singleton. Karen, Will and Jacob. Shovels. Driftwood logs. And a 3 to 1 mechanical advantage set up anchored to a Tamarisk. 3 Lariats affixed to various parts of the cow, tied on to the pulley system. Tug. Push. Pull. Shovel.
   They had spent the day digging the cow out of the muck and were now engaged in pulling and pushing the cow away from the muck on to more solid ground.
   We all did more of all those tools, just like they had been doing all day, until the cow was in a position to stand up. And it did about 5:30 pm.
Responders: Bego, Margy-- Team BEEF (Bovine Emergency Extraction Fellowship)

07- 9     3 - 17- 07    White Wash Sand Dunes     Motorcycle Accident
  
Archie 1 T 4 was way ahead of us and said to 10- 22 cuz he could drive right to the subject.
Responders: Bego, Steve, Rex, James, Dave, Barbara, Aug, Mike, Melissa

07- 10    3- 19- 07    Overdue Motorcyclist     Gemini Area
  
10- 22 in a minute.
Responders: Nancy Nancy, Aug, Kris, Cody, Jim W

07- 11    3- 20- 07    Lost Mtn Biker    Amasa Back
  
Looking for Jackson’s Trail down off Amasa Back, this biker became lost, then loster. As evening faded, she was across the river from Gold Bar Campground. She hailed for help.
   We responded with the same arsenal of rescue equipment as we did twice before thru the years: A canoe.
   Melissa and John paddled the canoe across the slow moving river, fetched the biker and bike. It was a windless night and we had plenty of spot lights.
Responders: Bego, Melissa, John, Dave, Aug, Margy, Steve

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Contributed by Brad Dimock: historian, author, storyteller, guide......... (Fretwaterpress.com)

I was on Lake Powell with David Brower a few years ago. A bunch of jet skis were jumping the wake of our tour boat. One of the passengers asked Brower how he could rationalize preserving Glen Canyon for the few thousand a year that could have floated through it, when instead hundreds of thousands a year can enjoy the reservoir.

Without missing a beat, Brower said, "This," gesturing at the lake, "is going to fill up with silt. And they," motioning toward the jet skis, "are going to run out of gas."

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Overheard: "Ask the American Indians what happens when you don't control immigration."

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Overheard: "The futility of taking oneself too seriously...."

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07- 12    3- 22- 07    Boat Flip     White’s Rapid
  
White’s Rapid flips more boats than any other rapid on the Colorado River. This guy and gal flipped a Dory there and went swimming. They swam to shore and clambered up to the road. Just as they did, the Sheriff went by. He turned around, picked them up and took them to the ambulance coming up river. They had moderate hypothermia and were taken to the hospital.
   We were requested to rescue the Dory, floating down river upside down. We put our River Rescue Boat in the river at the BLM takeout. Captain Duckie, with Kris and Barbara, went up river with the boat’s owner. The boat was righted, a floating oar was retrieved and the owner rowed the boat down to the take out.
   The owner had lent his boat to people who were climbers, not boaters, whom he had met the day before.
Responders: Bego, Dave, Duckie, Barbara, Aug, James, Kris and the very Steve 1 T 6 White


"Policy" on rescuing boats.
      There is no "policy."
After the incident above, some said, "We don’t rescue boats."
A conversation with the Sheriff revealed that it is a DECISION to rescue an unattended boat floating down the river,
after all the people have been accounted for. The OIC can decide yes or no, depending on the circumstances.



3- 24- 07      La Saloppett Ski Race-
   GCSAR snowmobiles and EMS EMTs in support. Snowing lightly.

07- 13    3- 24- 07    Motorcyclist Broken Arm      Westwater Area

   These folks from Colorado were cruising around way out northeast of Westwater Ranch. The Kokopelli Trail goes thru the area and there are numerous other routes. One guy crashed, breaking his arm badly.
   We met the RP at the railroad bridge just short of Westwater Ranch. They said they didn’t think the ambulance could make it all the way. Mark Marcum drove Thompson 502, the old trusty 4WD Suburban ambulance, and we came with our Ranger. Found the subject, who had walked maybe a half mile to the road we were on.
Responders: Dave, Margy, James, Bego, Kris, Rex, Barbara, Aug,, Steve

07- 14    3- 27- 07    Mountain Biker Down    SRBT

   Fell down, laceration, puncture wound near femoral artery.
   Two Rangers with EMTs, 2 ATVs.
Responders: Bego, Steve, Mike, Duckie, Dave, Aug, James

07- 15   3- 29- 07    Hiker Fall Negro Bill Canyon

   This 58 year old woman slipped on a sandy rock and fell down, injuring her knee, elbow and head.
   GCSAR responded, hiking the 1 1/4 mile trail up the canyon, with the titanium litter and light weight wheel.
   The wheel out ended at the parking lot just at dark.
Responders: Bego, Frank, Dave, Barbara, Nancy S, Aug, Steve, 13B62, 13B63 and 5 or 6 bystanders.

07- 16    3- 30- 07    Mtn Biker Down    SRBT

   Over the handlebars he went. The info received, from a cell phone on scene, said he did not hit his head but a bystander said he was not conscious for a moment.
   We sent in two Rangers with 2 EMTs and transported the subject out to the ambulance.
Responders: Bego, Rex, Dave, Lee, Aug, James, Steve

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Dale Earnhart Jr (8) does commercials for Polaris. Next he will "DO" the SRBT in a restrictor plate race situation.

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07- 17    3- 31- 07    ATV Wreck     White Wash Sand Dunes
   A 68 year old guy went over the handlebars forward, going down hill, and the ATV followed him over. Bystanders says the ATV rolled over the top of his chest.
   Brent 1 T 11 Pace responded from Green River and figured out where to go in the Sand Dunes Area. Ambulance 512, the 4WD one, got stuck, just short of the incident. CareFlight was launched from Grand Junction.
   GCSAR arrived in time to provide helo landing support and a litter to carry the subject to the helo.
   Plenty of bystander help to pull the ambulance out of the deep sand.
Responders: Bego, Rex, Jim, Lee, Mike, James, Steve

07- 18    3- 31- 07    Search for Overdue 9 yr old Mtn Biker      Klondike Bluffs

   10- 22 almost immediately when the Mom found him. He found the Mom I think.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Nancy M, Jim, Dan, Lee, Mike, Murray, Aug, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 19    3- 31- 07    ATV Wreck      Mill Canyon

   This was paged out as a jeep that went off a hundred foot cliff and someone was trapped in the vehicle. As such, GCSAR, EMTs and fire Rescue extrication and CareFlight were all paged. Needless to say, the air was charged with adrenaline.
   Eric 1 T 13 Betts drove up Mill Canyon to discover it was an ATV wreck over a 30 foot cliff.
   A fifteen yr old brother was driving with 22 yr old brother on the back. For whatever reason, they went off the road. The younger brother said he grabbed a bush on his way down the hill. The older brother went to the bottom of the creek bed and was hurt pretty badly.
   There is a bit of awkward four wheel drive road (wet, rocky creek bottom) getting to the incident. Many folks worked on the injured person while others prepared the route to wheel and litter the subject up to where the helo would land.
   CareFlight landed right at dark and the subject was flown to Grand Junction.
Responders
: Rex, Bego, Frank, John, Melissa, Lee, Nancy S, Kris, Aug,

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Calls by Day of Week ( 2005 & 2006 )

   SUN:    33
   MON:  18
   TUE:    13
   WED:     9
   THU:    28
   FRI:      37
   SAT:     54

Calls by Initial Hours of Page ( 2005 & 2006 )

     Mid:    1        MOON: 21
   1AM:    4            1 PM: 14
   2AM:    1            2 PM: 14
   3AM:    1            3 PM: 20
   4AM:    2            4 PM: 12
   5AM:    1            5 PM: 17
   6AM:    3            6 PM: 12
   7AM:    1            7 PM: 10
   8AM:    4            8 PM:  8
   9AM:    8            9 PM:  6
 10AM:  13          10 PM:  2
 11AM:   7           11 PM:  0

   ---> figured out by Barbara Fincham

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Jim Whittaker's opinion on proposed legislation for climbing Mount Hood.

A Summit Technology Can't Reach      By JIM WHITTAKER      March 9, 2007

Port Townsend, Wash.
   MOUNT HOOD is Oregon's highest peak, and given its close proximity to Portland and its relatively unchallenging ascent, more than 10,000 people climb it each year. But after the rescue of three climbers trapped in a canyon during a storm last month and the deaths of three others in December, state legislators have introduced a bill that would require climbers on Mount Hood to carry an electronic signaling device when they're above timberline between November and March.
   This might seem a no-brainer: there are many lightweight, relatively inexpensive safety devices on the market today. Signaling beepers — more accurately called "emergency position indicating radio beacons" as well as cellphones (which one climber in the February incident used to alert rescuers), global positioning systems and avalanche beacons have all saved many lives and will continue to do so. Mandating such equipment, however, does not offer a quick and easy solution to the problem of those in distress. In fact, reliance on technology often creates new dangers, not only to climbers but also to rescuers.
   The technology has made it easier to rely more on search-and-rescue personnel, and less on skill and knowledge. For example, as cellphones have become common, well-equipped and trained hikers have used cellphones to call for rescue, although in hindsight they could have descended on their own.
   In these cases, the high-tech devices wasted rescuer's time and cost taxpayers huge sums of money. (Under Oregon law, climbers can be charged only $500 to cover rescue costs, yet the local sheriff's office in the December rescue attempt reportedly spent more than $5,000 a day for more than a week.)
   One can envision a similar effect with locators, which send out a distress call with the pull of a cord, if they became mandatory.
   The accidents on Mount Hood remind us that nobody can move in a severe mountain storm, not even a rescuer. Sending a distress call could result in rescuers being sent out into a life-threatening situation for no good reason, which is why most rescue workers oppose the law. And waiting for rescuers summoned by beacons can be more deadly than moving on.
   It is better to plan your own way off the mountain first. A climber should begin every expedition assuming that that he could be trapped in a blizzard, even if the weather looks perfect and he is in a well-monitored area like Mount Hood. Conditions can change very fast. Climbers should be prepared to wait days for a storm to pass. With plenty of extra food, stoves with enough fuel to melt snow for a week, snow shovels to dig caves, and a warm sleeping bag and pad, a stranded climber can change his situation from life-threatening to exhilarating.
   Good climbers understand that while reaching the summit is optional, getting off the mountain is mandatory. The storms on Mount Hood and Mount Rainier here in Washington can be just as severe as those on Mount Everest and K2. Once a storm on Mount Rainier, also a popular climb, kept me buttoned down for five days. Beepers, even if they had existed then, would have been worthless; we survived because we were prepared.
   Mindset is the most important factor, especially as interest in the sport booms and more inexperienced climbers take on challenging mountains. The last thing we want to do is create a situation where climbers feel that if they carry a locator, a rescue is guaranteed.
   This is what I fear the Oregon bill would do. It creates too much potential for a nonprofessional climber to be cocky, to take risks he otherwise wouldn't and to fail to pack well and otherwise be self-sufficient. Skills like being able to interpret signs in the weather, assess the danger of avalanches and rescue a companion from a crevasse are vital to a safe climb, and they cannot be replaced by an electronic device.
   Viewing technology as a quick fix is more likely to cause tragedy than prevent it.
   Nature is what it's all about. Mountains are truly cathedrals, and everyone should experience the high country. Through climbing, we can learn about gravity, rock, snow, ice, storms — and about ourselves. Most important, though, we need to meet the wilderness on its own terms. Laws and locators cannot replace careful attention, knowledge and personal responsibility.

Jim Whittaker, the first American to climb Mount Everest, lead a successful expedition to K2, presided over Mt, Rainier Mountain Guides Inc. for years, is former president of the REI outdoor products cooperative and is the author of "A Life on the Edge".

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07- 20    4- 1- 07    Neurological Problem ?      Klondike Bluffs Trail
  
This female biker fell over.
   She had all the proper motor skills sitting down but when she stood up she would keel over to the left.
   She was put in an SUV for a ride out. We took 2 EMTs in to her location and transported her out to the ambulance in the Ranger.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Lee, Kris, Duckie, Murray, Dave

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Upper Colorado River Basin Hydrology

   The water supply picture in the Colorado River Basin weakened in March 2007. March was a warmer and drier than normal month. Normally, basinwide snowpack continues in increase during the month of March.

   This was not the case in 2007 as warm temperatures resulted in net loss of snowpack above Lake Powell. While inflow was above average during March 2007 (unregulated inflow for the month was 795,000 acre- feet or 120 percent of average), the resultant is a significantly reduced April through July runoff projection. The National Weather Service in their April final forecast is projecting 4.0 million acre- feet of runoff into Lake Powell during the 2007 April through July period. This is only 50 percent of average.

   Water year 2007 (which began on October 1, 2006) started out "wet," with October precipitation over 200 percent of average. Unfortunately, the pattern quickly changed. Precipitation was below average in November and December of 2006, and January and March of 2007. February 2007 precipitation was near average. As we begin the April through July runoff season, snowpack above Lake Powell is only 64 percent of average (as of April 4, 2007).

   It is nearly certain that inflow to Lake Powell will be below average in 2007. The current elevation of Lake Powell (April 4, 2007) is 3,599.1 feet, 100.9 feet from full pool elevation of 3,700 feet. Reservoir storage is currently 11.65 million acre-feet, or 48 percent of capacity. The water surface elevation of Lake Powell reached a seasonal low of 3,597.4 feet on March 16, 2007. Under the current inflow forecast Lake Powell would reach a seasonal peak elevation of about 3,606 feet in late June 2007.

Upper Colorado River Basin Drought

   The Upper Colorado River Basin experienced five consecutive years of extreme drought from September 1999 through September 2004. In the summer of 1999, Lake Powell was essentially full with reservoir storage at 97 percent of capacity. Inflow volumes for five consecutive water years were significantly below average. Total unregulated inflow in water years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 was 62, 59, 25, 51, and 49 percent of average, respectively. Lake Powell storage decreased through this five-year period, with reservoir storage reaching a low of 8.0 million acre-feet (33 percent of capacity) on April 8, 2005. Hydrologic conditions improved in water year 2005 in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Lake Powell increased by 2.77 million acre-feet (31 feet in elevation) during water year 2005. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in water year 2005 was 105 percent of average.

   Unfortunately, in 2006, there was a return to drier conditions in the Colorado River Basin. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in water year 2006 was 73 percent of average. Over the past 7 years (2000 through 2006, inclusive) inflow to Lake Powell has been below average in all but one year (2005). Water year 2007 (which began on October 1, 2006) is shaping up to be yet another year with below average inflow. The current projection for spring runoff into Lake Powell is only 50 percent of average. It is highly likely that inflow to Lake Powell will be below average once again in 2007. Reservoir storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead is currently 48 and 54 percent of capacity, respectively. The drought in the Colorado River Basin continues.

Updated April 4, 2007 Tom Ryan

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07- 21    4- 5- 07    Jeep Rollover      Moab Rim Trail
   This guy grabbed the roll bar above his head as the jeep rolled over..... severing several fingers. OW. He was brought down by another private vehicle to the EMTs and ambulance.
   Responders: Rex, Margy, Melissa, Barbara, John, Mike, James, Steve

07- 22    4- 5- 07    5 year old Girl Hit on Head by Falling Rock      Blue Hills Road

     The ambulance responded-- then Curt 1 T 2 said to use the DPS helicopter, knowing it would take a while for the ambulance to get way out there. The helo met the ambulance, picked up an EMT and flew to the scene. The ambulance arrived later, the subject stabilized and then taken to the airport where CareFlight was waiting.
Responders: Rex, Dave, Margy, Duckie, Barbara, Lee, Mike, Nancy S, Aug, Jeff, Steve

07- 23      4- 7- 07      Mtn Biker Down      Sand Flats Road
     A female mountain biker went down and broke her arm.
     The Helo responded and the ambulance.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Barbara, Dan, Lee, Mike, Murray, Nancy S, Jon, James, Kris

07- 24    4- 7- 07    Teen ATV Accident      Willow Springs Road
   ATV accident at Willow Springs / Sovereign Trail. Ambulance and Helo responded. GCSAR 10-22d.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Barbara, Lee, Murray, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 25    4- 7- 07     Hiker Injury      Onion Creek
   Onion Creek, up at the last camp. 13B66 in charge, gave coordinates. These were teens on drugs and alcohol (They said so) and one guy, naked, fell into the creek bed banging his head. Ambulance and Helo responded. GCSAR 10-22d.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Barbara, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 26    4- 7- 07     Hells Revenge
   Hells Revenge ATV accident.
   SAR 10-22d cuz EMT John Marshall was on scene and reported no need to respond after all.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Barbara, John, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 27    4- 7- 07    Power Dam, Improper Dive      Mill Creek

   This guy, suspected to be on alcohol, tried to do a back dive off the top of the power dam and "face planted," sustaining , facial, pelvic and internal injuries. Responders: Rex, Bego, Frank, Barbara, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 28    4- 7- 07    Power Dam, Improper Jump      Mill Creek
   This guy jumped in to the pool to save the first guy and hit a rock breaking his ankle.
   He refused EMT services and was transported by private vehicle. GCSAR 10 22.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Frank, Barbara, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 29    4- 7- 07    Potato Salad Hill      No shade, no water
   Potato Salad Hill-- Heat Stroke. The DPS helicopter flew this subject to AMH.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Frank, Barbara, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody

07- 30    4- 7- 07    Hells Revenge      Jeep Rollover
   This was a jeep rollover at the Dragon’s Tail, a steep downhill run from the Hot Tub that requires the perfect angle at the start. If you don’t have it, it’s a sure roll over and a long way down too.
   Two guys were injured. We found one riding out in a vehicle. He was treated and remained in the vehicle out to the ambulance. The other was treated and was vehicled out also.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Jim, Barbara, Lee, Murray, Nancy, James, Kris, Cody, Steve

07- 31    4- 10- 07    Overdue Boaters      Westwater    Colorado River
   Two boats in the party on a one day paddle trip thru Westwater Canyon. One boat flipped. Everyone was IN a boat and together below the last rapid. Boat one said they would go ahead to the take out and get the cars started and warmed up for the people who flipped in the cold water.
   The second boat got caught out by dark. No sure why this happened.
   First boat got concerned, called 911.
   We responded with the River Rescue Boat and crew of 3. We motored upstream about 3 miles and found the subjects, chilly by not dangerously cold. We put some warm clothes on them, handed out blankets and hand warmers. We towed their raft down to Cisco Boat Landing.
Responders: Bego, Duckie, Murray, John, Lee

07- 32    4- 13- 07    Mtn Biker Down      Porcupine Rim Trail
   A mountain biker fell such that his chest landed on the handlebars, injuring his sternum.
   We sent a Ranger and 2 ATVs and took 2 EMTs with us. The Porcupine Trail is so bumpy that it takes forever to get 6 miles out.
   The subject was first put on the Ranger but the big bumps were so painful that he walked some parts cuz it was more comfortable. After awhile, the EMTs decided to helicopter him out for pain management reasons. CareFlight was paged and launched. The problem with the upper part of Porcupine Rim is that there are no LZs in the dense P-J forest. It took quite awhile for the helo and the subject to get together.
Responders: Bego, Jim, Duckie, Lee, Barbara, Kris

07- 33    4- 13- 07    ATV Accident      White Wash Sand Dunes
   This fellow caught a front tire on a bush sending the bike in one direction and him in another. Broke his arm and did something internally.
   Deputy Pace 1 T 11 arrived first and our Bronco with the EMTs and Ranger were shortly behind. It was decided to fly him out. The helo came in using night vision.
Responders: Bego, Cody, Kris

07- 34    4- 15- 07    Car and Driver In Colorado River     Hiway Mile 25
From Frank:
   "Deputies had been working a body discovered [on a sandbar in the river near] at Hittle Bottom. Evidence led them to believe the victim had been in a car accident. They called for the boat to search the river...we launched at Hittle and found the car just upriver from Milepost 25...upside down with only part of the rear bumper showing...about 15 feet from shore. John tied the front of the boat to the car and the rear to the shore...and rigged a safety line up to the road anchored to the BLM Jeep...nice job. When the tow truck arrived, Cody went into the water to attach the chain. We stood by as the vehicle was towed up the approximately 75-foot bank to the road.
   Given the location, the fact that there was virtually no sign on the road of an accident, and a rising river, the car could have gone undetected for a very long time. It was impossible to see from the road...unless you were standing right on the edge of the road at a location where there were no turnouts.
   Cody is now our DPR (Designated Plate Ripper). He made short work of ripping the submerged plate from the vehicle so an ID could immediately be made." Responders: Frank, Kris, John, Melissa, Cody, Dave, Jeff, Lee, Nancy S

07- 35    4- 15- 07    Potato Salad Hill
   Person fell off of Potato Salad Hill. ?? 10- 22.
Responders: Frank, Dave, John, Lee, Kris, Cody, Nancy S, Melissa

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--->  By all means, check out <http://www.rescueoneverest.org>

CNN News: "So rescuers are gonna have to rappel down to the victim and rappel back up with some kind of gurney........"

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07- 36    4- 17- 07    Search      Exit 221 on I - 70
   He last remembers going to Lowe’s to shop on Sunday afternoon. He called his wife Sunday evening to say he was lost in the desert. His family and Mesa County deputies looked Monday
   Tuesday morning GCSAR was paged. We also paged the Department of Public Safety helicopter out of Salt Lake. A helo team went to the air, looking mostly north of I - 70. ATV teams went south of I - 70. Later in the morning some local sheepherders came by the CP and said they had seen a blue pickup truck out in the middle of nowhere south of the freeway.
   And that is where the ATV teams found him-- out in the middle of nowhere, a long way from the nearest dirt road. He was stuck. Sitting there at the steering wheel. Since Sunday. He wanted to know if we had a tow strap.
   All was not entirely well tho cuz he was way late for his insulin and a day late for dialysis. He was taken to the hospital in Grand Junction.
Responders: Bego, Rex, Frank, John, Lee, Kris
                     Plus 1 T 5 and 1 T 6 and 1 T 11 from Grand and a deputy from Mesa County
                     Plus Terry Mercer, helo pilot who was last seen having a donut with Pace.

07- 37    4- 17- 07    Motorcyclist Down      Kane Creek
   He said his motorcycle fell over on his leg and it broke. We took the Ranger and EMTs to the scene out in Kane Creek Valley (after getting San Juan County’s permission of course).
Responders: Bego, Rex, Duckie, Barbara, John, Lee, Mike, Aug, James

07- 38    4- 20- 07    ATV Wreck      Steelbender
     CareFlight beat us there and 1 T 15 TJ took care of it. Our 2 Rangers with EMTs turned around.
Responders: Bego, Lee, Jon, James, Aug

07- 39    4- 25- 07    Broken Down Jeepers      Rusty Nail Trail
   A weird tale. These 2 guys broke down Monday in the middle of a very difficult jeep trail. Later, a bunch of jeeps came thru. They talked to the jeepers and claimed that the jeep party ignored them and went on, offering no help. ( ?? ) Monday and Monday night it rained a lot and they stayed by their jeep.
   Tuesday they............................................ by the time we got the 911 call, they claimed to have hiked miles to the north ( ?? ). We told them to stay put and light a fire.
   We got out on ATVs to the jct of Gold Bar and Rusty Nail. There we had to decide which way to go. We could see their fire. We went along Rusty Nail until we couldn’t. Then we hiked a half mile up to them, passing by their broken jeep.
   Sitting by the fire, they had not eaten or drank (water) since becoming stranded. They had spent the 2nd night right there, not at their jeep with sleeping bags just 15 minutes away.
   We hiked them back to the ATVs and rode out.
Responders: Dave, Rex, Bego, Steve, Lee, Murray, Melissa

07- 40    4- 26- 07    ATV Accident      Hells Revenge
   A GCSAR member went over backwards on an ATV during ATV training, injuring his back.
Responders: Dave, Rex, Bego, Dave, Nancy M, Margy, Barbara, John, Lee, Nancy S, James, Kris, Steve

07- 41    4- 27- 07    Motorcycle Accident      White Wash Sand Dunes
   Reported as a motorcycle accident with a broken clavicle.
   We arrived at "Base Camp" at the same time as the subject who was brought out by private vehicle. 10- 22.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Nancy S, Steve, Lee, James

07- 42    4- 28- 07    Mountain Biker Down      SRBT
   Fell off her bike, wrecked her arm and maybe a neck injury. Ranger with 2 EMTs. Transported out.
Responders: Dave, Steve, Lee, Bego, Nancy S

07- 43    4- 30- 07    Dehydrated Biker      SRBT
   He was reported to be just west of Shrimp Rock so John hopped on his motorcycle and went looking while the rest of us went to get the rigs at the Shed.
   When we left the parking lot, he still hadn’t been found. He was making his way out toward the parking lot and was found first by Jim Walker of the Slickrock Bike Patrol. Jim gave him water.
   He was transported out in our Ranger and refused EMT attentions.
Responders: Rex, Bego, Lee, Steve
 


"Silt Happens" Back Issues
#07-1 (Jan-Feb, 2007) -- People are Stranded by Topography and Lack of Light,  WINTER AWARE-BEFORE YOU GO
 

#06-6 (Nov-Dec, 2006) -- Taz, a mixed breed dog, speeds trackers to his injured owner
#06-5 (Sept-Oct, 2006) -- Record rains mean marooned hikers on Delicate Arch Trail
#06-4 (July-August, 2006) -- Geo-Cachers seek trailhead, we assist Arches NP with a search for an overdue hiker
#06-3 (May-June, 2006) -- Summer avalanche takes a hiker, a boater steps from Room of Doom
#06-2 (Mar-Apr, 2006) -- Rock rescues, jeeping without a seatbelt, Exxon demonstration
#06-1 (Jan-Feb, 2006) -- Eyewitness evidence, up a trail without a spare, MINS
 


#05-6 (Nov-Dec, 2005) -- Multiple BASE jumpers hang-up on the same cliff,  we slip into the New Year
#05-5 (Sept-Oct, 2005) -- ATVers, BASE Jumpers and a River Rescue
#05-4 (July-August, 2005) -- An angry  rattlesnake , a manhunt and an ATV accident requiring a 100 ft technical rock rescue
#05-3 (May-June, 2005) -- ATV incidents increase but it's heat that takes the toll
#05-2 (Mar-Apr, 2005) -- Winter rescue at a B&B, a rock falls from under a camper and a night-time river trip
#05-1 (Jan-Feb, 2005) -- Search training, an active snow season, and a night-time rescue
 


#04-6 (Nov-Dec, 2004) -- Snow and mud mean overdue people
#04-5 (Sept-Oct, 2004) -- Bikers fall, camper falls, and one person picks up a snake
#04-4 (July-August, 2004) -- Dehydration and falls
#04-3 (May-June, 2004) -- Lost hikers, a fallen climber and a missing hitchhiker


#02-6 (Nov-Dec, 2002)--Depressed people, a speeding semi and winter warnings
#02-5 (Sept-Oct, 2002) – Floating Hummer, Mystery Ropes, Two Recoveries
#02-4 (July-August, 2002) -- Stuck kids, more broken bikers and lost hikers
#02-3 (May-June, 2002) -- Hot bikers, dried bikers, late bikers...lessons in desert biking.
#02-2 (Mar-Apr, 2002) -- Flying cars, rolling jeeps, crashing ATV's -- another typical Easter in Moab
#02-1 (Jan-Feb, 2002) -- Hummering along, Olympically Torched, Dogsgone


#01-5 (Sept-Dec, 2001) -- Three cheers for Nancy, more fun on the rocks, broken bones
#01-4 (July-August, 2001) -- Mock muck, river claims victims, aMAZEing survival
#01-3 (May-June, 2001) -- Group heat exhaustion, Zane flies, boys get stuck
#01-2 (March-April, 2001) -- Rocks fall, bones break, bikers get lost
#01-1 (Jan-Feb., 2001) -- Doggie Bagged; Pilot dies in Book Cliffs crash


#00-5 (Sept.-Oct. 2000) -- Brad finds a son; a relatively quiet couple of months.
#00-4 (July-August2000) --
Airplane crash, a note from Colin, the search for Jeff Firak
#00-3  (Apr-June2000) -- Stuck on the Tombstone, the usual lost and dried bikers, Chris's Mill Creek adventure, Clinton stabilizes Frank's porch
#00-1,2,&2.5 (Jan-Apr2000) -- Nathan jumps, Matt splats, waiting for high water, confluence disappears, Mill Creek wall strike


#99-5 (Sept-Dec99) -- The "Mari" incident, Westwater drowning, Jeeping off Gemini, Stuck on Fine Jade
#99-4 (July - August 99) -- NPS Whitewater Rescues; Prepare Fair; Tracking by Sgt.Green; Credit for responding, finishing the job; Air Life's preferred radio freq;
                                               The Puke Frog returns; Lightning
#99-3 (May-June 99) -- Cataract High; Web rescue; Disaster Brothers; Search Training; Short Haul at altitude; Leadership; Rescue: Who pays
#99-2 (Mar-Apr 99) -- River Peak Flow Forecast; Arches Rock Rescue; Lift Evacuation Team; Huge Fund Raiser; Thanks Brad; Knotcraft
#99-1 (Jan-Feb 99) -- Adventure; "Too Short"; Gary Haynes; Evac Team Paid Now


#98-6 (Nov-Dec 98) -- Thanks Yous; Tramway and rescue plans; Cellular Phonefinder; Practice Safe Response; Pipeline Go BOOM
#98-5 (Sept-Oct 98) -- Credit for Responding; Colin Smith @ NPS SAR; Response Statistics; Old Men Do Cliff ResQ; Documentation; SLTrib: $ for SAR
#98-4 (July-Aug 98)
#98-3 (May-June 98)
#98-2 (Mar-Apr 98)
#98-1 (Jan-Feb 98)


#97-6 (Nov-Dec 97)
#97-5 (Sept-Oct 97)
#97-4 (July-Aug 97)
#97-3 (May-June 97)
#97-2 (Mar-Apr 97)
#97-1 (Jan-Feb 97)