A Tale of Search and Rescue... And the importance of a good knife for survival

Good point about a lightweight, packable saw. For building something like a sled, you could do it much more quickly and easily with a saw than a knife. Having both gives lots of options and is still lightweight.
 
So what was the problem with the subject hikers that needed rescuing? Were they caught in the early snow storm and not prepared for colder weather? Did they have shelter of some sort? I would assume they had a tent.

Enjoyed your pictures and story. Yes, better to be a little more prepared than you think necessary. Glad everyone got out.
 
We were wondering the same thing as we were hiking up- they just weren't prepared for that much snow this early in the year. (Rain turned to snow on them the first night, and a foot or so accumulated. They had a tent, stove, food and water, but just needed some help getting out.
 
You don't use snowshoes in a situation like that ?

Thanks for your volunteer effort!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
You don't use snowshoes in a situation like that ?desmobob
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We definitely should have had snowshoes, but we weren't properly informed about the conditions at the subjects' location. If we had known how deep the snow was, and how far up the mountain they were, we would have requested snowshoes and a sled at the least.
 
Ground pads and sleeping bags of the proper rating during winter really, really helps big time. I own a sawvivor and it cuts wood rather well. Glad yea all made it out ok.
 
Woods Walker said:
Ground pads and sleeping bags of the proper rating during winter really, really helps big time. I own a sawvivor and it cuts wood rather well. Glad yea all made it out ok.
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We all had ground pads and 32 degree or warmer bags ( I have a 15 degree down waterproof bag). It almost never gets below 20 in Washington State. I too have a sawvivor, and was REALLY wishing I had brought it with. But the becker worked well enough.
 
Glad you guys got out OK, you cant win every time. It's instances like this that will forge you into a better outdoorsman. Just like anything in life to become good at something you need experience.

I'm sure you will learn from this experience and next time round you will do better!!!!
on a lighter note a lot of obstacles can be overcome with determination and ballz!!!
 
I'm glad you all came out okay. I shared your thread with Ethan Becker. He'll get a kick out of knowing a BK-9 saved somebody's bacon. :thumbup:
 
olybears57 said:
Another thought-If we weren't able to get a helo because of conditions, etc, we would have had to walk our guy out with a broken leg 8 or so miles. One thing that I was thinking about was building a makeshift sled with wood, the becker, and paracord... Another great reason to carry a large fixed blade in the field.
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Knowing how to improvise things in a pinch is a skill worth having. Ideally though the plan should be robust enough so you don't have to. S&R implies that there might be a need for some rescuing in addition to the searching. In that sense having a stretcher, sled or something of the sort on the packing list is a good idea.
 
sideways said:
In that sense having a stretcher, sled or something of the sort on the packing list is a good idea.
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The way SAR operates, we don't carry a litter into the field unless we are certain we are going to need it. In this situation, if the hikers were not in condition to walk out, we most likely would have had to get a helo out anyways. But on normal missions, we search, and if the subjects are found and can't walk, a litter is brought by other teams while the party who found them stabilizes the subject.

Guyon, That would be great! Don't tell him that I usually carry an ESEE though ;)
 
snowmobiles. for sure for sure, even if they only get you in a certain distance, that's that much more difference you don't have to hike out, at the very least, a sled too for injured.

this time of year? snowshoes. Winter is sneaking that way.

sounds like you made the best of a bad briefing though.

i would have a word with the people that brief you though.

as well, why didn't they helo the party out? instead of sending in a team of people on foot, in bad conditions?
 
As a retired SAR volunteer I have to say I am concerned about the lack of IC and support. Your mission seemed to doomed for failure from the get-go. I in know way judge you or your team mates, You should be all appluaded for your efforts. But SAR missions are only as strong as good IC. Ops and Planning would have been beneficial. Remember your number one priority is not the lost hiker but yourself then your team mates.
 
Hey olybears 57......

Esse,schemessee......LOL .....Glad you made it ok...... Please email me your phone number at beckerkt@gmail.com.....

I think I may have a little something .......I really want you to be with me the next time I screw up in the wilderness......

GOOD JOB..........

Ethan
 
olybears57 said:
Another thought-If we weren't able to get a helo because of conditions, etc, we would have had to walk our guy out with a broken leg 8 or so miles. One thing that I was thinking about was building a makeshift sled with wood, the becker, and paracord... Another great reason to carry a large fixed blade in the field.
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There's a way to make a litter out of just 1.5" webbing. My buddy showed me one time but it was a while ago and I can't remember exactly how it works. 1.5" webbing is a very versatile tool if you know how to use it. I assume you're already carrying it as it was mandatory when I was an explorer but if you don't, you should look into it.
 
panzertroop said:
As a retired SAR volunteer I have to say I am concerned about the lack of IC and support. Your mission seemed to doomed for failure from the get-go. I in know way judge you or your team mates, You should be all appluaded for your efforts. But SAR missions are only as strong as good IC. Ops and Planning would have been beneficial. Remember your number one priority is not the lost hiker but yourself then your team mates.
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Panzertroop, I totally agree. I was upset at our lack of base support. I believe we got so little because with the intel given, the other search in the area was much higher priority, and our mission was supposed to be straightforward and easy.
 
Shotgun said:
There's a way to make a litter out of just 1.5" webbing. My buddy showed me one time but it was a while ago and I can't remember exactly how it works. 1.5" webbing is a very versatile tool if you know how to use it. I assume you're already carrying it as it was mandatory when I was an explorer but if you don't, you should look into it.
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Shotgun, we do know how to make a makeshift litter with webbing or thick rope, but in this situation, a litter would have been miserable to carry our 250 pound searcher down in. A sled would have still been bad, but better. But it's definitely a great skill to be able to improvise a litter!
 
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