Members of CCSAR’s ATV Team happily pick up the new track vehicle purchased from Stanwood Mortorsports West in Silvercliff. (Photo courtesy of The Wet Mountain Tribune.)

15 February, 2011

CCSAR needed an additional ATV, as a backup, to provide for evacuation of either ATV crew in the event of a mechanical breakdown or other event that would render the ATV immobile and distant from help. So last November we submitted a request for a grant to the El Pomar Foundation to purchase an in-line 2-seater tracked ATV. Late December 2010 El Pomar awarded the grant at 50% of our request. The CCSAR BOD decided to accept the grant and contributed the remainder of funds out of reserve funds plus the sale of 2 snowmobiles and trailer. The trade-off of snowmobiles for tracked ATV is a good one since the ATV can operate effectively in snow depths more than 2-3 times that of a snowmobile and has more capability for equipment transport.

In January 2011 we purchased an Arctic CAT 700cc TRV w/tracks from Stanwood West in Silvercliffe. It is narrower than the UTV which should enable it to operate in places that are prohibitive to the UTV. The UTV was very effective during the recent mission to recover subjects from the plane crash, but we found that it lacked a few key accessories when operating in very cold temperatures and deep snow. So this second purchase includes heated grips and an enclosure to keep the rescuers drier and warmer during winter missions.

We also purchased two 14 foot trailers required to transport the 2 ATVs. This has been an expensive year for CCSAR, in terms of capital purchases, but we expect this new equipment to improve our response times in delivering personnel and equipment to a rescue site. We also expect to perform welfare checks and help in evacuating valley residents that may become stranded during periods of bad weather.