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DO YOU HAVE A RESCUE CARD? Autumn Hike Ends in Rescue -- by Joyce Gellhorn Autumn is often the best time in the high country with clear skies, cooler temperatures, brilliant colors, the chance to watch pika gathering hay, and to see ptarmigan molting into their winter plumage. Last September, the high country beckoned us as we hiked through the forest with aspens starting to turn. At the ridge above timberline we stopped to enjoy the view of high peaks, to eat lunch, and to assess our trip. Some of our group felt they had hiked enough and rested in the alpine meadows while others hiked on to the summit of St. Vrain Mountain. Clouds starting to gather were not threatening as we climbed upward. Near the summit, one person slipped on some rocks, hitting her knee, but got up quickly saying, “I’m OK.” She continued onward, but suddenly her knee gave way. Again she smashed down upon some rocks and she heard bones breaking. Seeing her fall, I ran to my friend’s side, moved her into a more comfortable position, and bound her knee with an ace bandage. Her pain was intense and she was unable to move on her own. Another member of our group whipped out her cell phone and called 911. Soon, a rescue team was on its way. But by now the harmless looking clouds of an hour ago were growing dark and menacing. We needed to get everyone off the peak’s summit. Luckily other people also had the idea of hiking up St. Vrain Mountain that day and we recruited them for help. Three men helped us fashion a makeshift support out of our trekking poles to carry our friend out of immediate danger. The sheriff department contacted the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and the Allenspark Fire Department. Within minutes, men and women from these organizations grabbed their gear to come to our aid. Dispatch kept us informed as to their progress as they directed the rescuers to our position. Knowing help was on its way kept all of us going. We piled extra coats, down vests, rain jacket and pants on our friend, trying to keep her warm in the cooling temperatures and rain that began to pelt upon us. Clouds crept up the mountain and we couldn’t see anything. We started to blow whistles hoping the rescuers could hear and home in on our position. A little over two hours after the accident, an EMT with Rocky Mountain Rescue arrived, assessed our situation, and passed information to others following him up the mountain. On a radio he talked to dispatch about the possibility of a Flight for Life helicopter. The low clouds were a concern, but suddenly clouds began to break, and a rainbow encircled the valley to the east. Swirling clouds playing about the rainbow made a dramatic scene, which for us was even more dramatic because at the end of the rainbow we saw our “pot of gold.” There they were, more rescuers coming up the mountain. Because of our high elevation, dispatch ordered a high altitude helicopter from Frisco and shortly we saw the golden and orange bird swooping up the valley. It climbed over the pass to survey for a safe landing spot and to assess the takeoff route. Passing by a second time, the helicopter landed and waited for their patient. By now more than a dozen rescuers were on the scene. Each person knew his or her job. Some set up ropes for belaying the litter. Others set up the litter. Still others worked with the injured person, assessing her condition, setting her leg in a splint, applying heat pads to her body, and administrating oxygen. Then after stabilizing her, they carefully lifted her onto the litter, checked her again, and then began to lower her down the mountain to the awaiting helicopter. Rocky Mountain Rescue and the Allenspark Fire Department impressed me with their professional efficiency and careful concern. Moments later the helicopter whirled away, whisking our friend to Boulder Community Hospital where X-rays revealed her kneecap was broken into six pieces. Surgery has wired the pieces together but the recovery will be slow. What have we learned from our experience? First and foremost, I recognize the importance of carrying extra gear—clothing, foam pads, space blankets, hats, gloves, and a first aid kit. The dedication and expertise of the search and rescue teams, the sheriff’s dispatch team and Office of Emergency Services, and the St. Anthony’s helicopter pilot and nurse made the rescue operation go smoothly. The Red Cross met us and the rescue teams at the trailhead and provided hot drinks and sandwiches for everyone. I wish to thank all those involved; your teamwork was essential and I wish I could thank each of you personally. In addition, I wish to make a plea to all outdoor enthusiasts to carry one more item in your backpack—a hiker’s certificate. Its cost of $3.00 defrays rescue expenses and supports the volunteer organizations that we depend upon. Surely, this is a small token to support the dedicated men and women who make our backcountry experiences safer. The hiker’s certificate is available through the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance—no person should go into the backcountry without one.
MOVING MOUNTAINS -- IT ISN’T JUST FOR BULLDOZERS ANY MORE The Northern Pocket Gopher is the research topic of this year’s David Paddon Memorial Scholarship winner, Renee C. E. Culver, a graduate student in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado. This brief summary of her intended research and its significance was provided by Renee and by Joyce Gellhorn. Renee has also promised us an article on the little critter. Excavations from the northern pocket gopher can be seen throughout mountain meadows from 8,000 feet to above timberline as amorphous mounds of soil or sinuous ropes of soil that appear as snow melts in spring. These animals alter ecosystems through their diggings, and are in the top three mammalian dominants in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The species is highly variable, with 66 described subspecies. Due to their subterranean existence, gene flow is limited between populations. Until recently, descriptions of subspecies have been limited to variations in color and body size. New techniques allow for genetic analysis to determine gene flow and degree of relatedness. Renee's project will use mitochondrial DNA sequence data to produce a phylogeography of the species and to determine whether the subspecies designations in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, as well as areas around the Southern Rockies, are justified.
BACKCOUNTRY HOST TRAINING DAY June 5 was bright and clear, as 43 new and returning backcountry hosts gathered at the Boulder District Ranger Station for their annual Wilderness Host Training Event. Nourished by continental breakfast, lunch and snacks coordinated by Andy and Patty Rohacs, the volunteers were introduced to a variety of Forest Service Personnel, including the Forest Service’s Christine M. Walsh (District Ranger), Glen Cook (Planner - Recreation, Wilderness, Trails), Paul Krisanits (Law Enforcement), Bev Baker (Wildlife Biologist and Noxious Weed Expert), Francisco Escobedo (Air Resource Lake Sampling Coordinator), and Laura Nilo (Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics). After lunch, the Volunteers dispersed to the various training stations. Station 1 featured role playing for situations involving campfires and for campers without permits. Station 2 featured role-playing for situations involving dogs off leash and visitor sensitivity. Station 3 featured a compilation of safety issues. At Station 4 information on the Weed Scout and Trail Project programs was available, as well as the opportunity to sign up for various committees. Annual membership dues were collected and Volunteers were able to purchase Hiking Certificates and a couple of outdoor books. New Volunteers were also issued their uniforms. Most everyone enjoys this one-day concentrated training format, but they are also open to a well-structured two-day event. As usual, food preparation came out with the highest rating on the evaluation. First Aid was the one subject that most would like to see added, and other topics of interest included survival, archeology, plant identification and backcountry cooking. Special thanks to Larry Patterson (Training Committee Chairman), Glen Cook and the Training Committee for putting it all together..
I TAWT I TAW A PUDDY TAT! -- Lion Around on those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer Herewith is the text of a Forest Service Report of a mountain lion sighting near Mitchell Lake. “Just an FYI, VIS had a report yesterday of a mountain lion that followed two individuals along the trail from Mitchell Lake to Brainard Lake. This occurred the evening of June 16 (Wednesday). Be alert if you are in the area, and maybe pass this along to those who might be interested to know. -- MB” I DID, I DID, I DID TAW A PUDDY TAT!!! Special
thanks to our
editor Mary Anne Davitt
for supplying this newsletter! |
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