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BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY

HIKER RESPONSIBILITY CODE

These are all essential principles for anyone venturing into the backcountry. They emphasize the importance of self-reliance, planning, safety, and teamwork. Here’s a breakdown of each key point:

  1. Knowledge and Gear:
    Before setting out, you should familiarize yourself with the terrain, weather patterns, and potential hazards of the area. This includes knowing how to use all of your gear, from navigation tools to clothing and emergency equipment. Preparation is crucial to reduce the risk of accidents.
  2. Leave Your Plans:
    Always inform someone you trust about your trip details. Share your planned route, estimated return time, and emergency contact information. In case something goes wrong, this person can alert authorities, making rescue efforts more effective.
  3. Stay Together:
    Hiking as a group requires cohesion and mutual support. The group’s pace should be set by the slowest person, ensuring no one gets left behind or overextends themselves. This fosters a stronger team dynamic and helps prevent exhaustion or accidents.
  4. Turn Back When Necessary:
    Being aware of your limits is vital. Weather can change suddenly in the mountains, and fatigue or unforeseen conditions can turn a safe hike into a dangerous situation. It’s better to turn back early than risk getting caught in hazardous conditions.
  5. Self-Rescue:
    Emergencies can arise at any moment, and self-reliance is crucial. Whether you’re out for an hour or an entire day, knowing how to handle situations like injuries, adverse weather, or getting lost could save your life. Rescue teams might not be able to reach you immediately, so it’s essential to have the skills and tools to handle emergencies on your own until help arrives.

These principles are not just about reducing risk—they’re about enhancing your ability to enjoy the wilderness safely and responsibly.

RESCUE PATTERNS

“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory”  Ed Viesturs.

 
Rescue Patterns

Visit the Rescue Patterns story map above, by clicking on the button.  This ArcGIS Story Map project, is a collaborative effort between the author, Kim Jones Thomas, and Custer County SAR (CCSAR). It reflects documented missions in the Crestone Group, including those in the Saguache County SAR response area, where detailed mission data was available and/or Custer County SAR responded as the primary, or assist agency, in the mission response.

This project exams navigation errors as one constant for SAR responses on Crestone Needle, as well investigating other patterns, such as a higher rate of death among solo male climbers in the region.

“Live to climb another day”

NO CHARGE FOR RESCUE

While there is no charge for search and rescue services in Colorado, EMS agencies like helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS or Air Ambulances) may still charge for their medical transport services if needed to reach a patient during a rescue operation; meaning you might incur a cost for the medical flight even if the search and rescue itself is free.

Recreate responsibly and be prepared in the case of an overnight bivy, when a rescue cannot occur until daybreak.

 

The arrival of a helicopter in a search and rescue setting should never be considered an expectation. It is an exception.

 

Introduction to 3rd Class: Avoiding Navigational Problems on Challenger and Kit Carson

In this episode Custer County Search and Rescue member Patrick Fiore explains the unique terrain traps and inherent difficulties on Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak that have led to several recent mountain rescues and climber fatalities. Most climbers have run into problems trying to regain “the Avenue” after descending from the summit of Kit Carson. This has led them into ever-steeper terrain below “the Prow.” Climbers also get into trouble trying to shortcut down the Kirk Couloir or steep and cliffy terrain on the mountain’s north side because they do not want to re-climb Challenger Point.

  • Climbing is inherently dangerous!
  • People die on Colorado 14ers every year.
  • CFI’s goal is to provide you with education and perspective.
  • Our videos do not address all climbing risks.
  • Viewing the videos does not guarantee your safety!

Colorado Hoist Rescue Team (CHRT) activation Crestone Needle – Sep-19-2020

(COARNG) UH-60 and its crew from the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) at Buckley Air Force Base, at a location high on the Crestone Needle’s Ellingwood Arete.  Custer County SAR managed the operation, and had field teams ready to go if conditions did not allow hoists of the two climbers. Favorable conditions enabled the flight crew and hoist operator to deliver the rescue tech on target.

Please know that while one rescuer rides the hoist, there is a team of more than 20 others from the organizations mentioned above, along with the Colorado Search and Rescue Association – CSAR , working together to make the rescue possible.

The use of a helicopter is limited to rescue those whose injuries are life-, limb-, or eyesight-threatening, or when conditions put ground-rescuers at significant peril.

The arrival of a helicopter in a search and rescue setting should never be considered an expectation. It is an exception.

PLACEHOLDER

The balance of the organization consists of generalists commonly referred to as ground pounders. Ground pounders break into small teams to carry out searches, give first aid to subjects, transport subjects to ambulance or Flight For Life helicopters in wilderness areas that don’t require technical expertise, and move equipment and supplies in areas that ATVs or horses can’t operate effectively.

PLACEHOLDER

Support members may assist in non-emergency activities like fundraisers, administrative work, or vehicle maintenance.

They may also assist on missions in a limited capacity assisting with call-outs, check-in sheets, equipment check-out, mission logistics, obtaining and preparing meals for field personnel, etc.

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We are so proud that the Custer County SAR team is featured in this special SAR Documentary. We invite you to watch this 16 minute documentary and to consider donating to support our all-Volunteer Team.

Special thanks to Westcliffe, CO Local Tristan Owen, Producer of SAR.

For rescue assistance call 911

If calling from outside Custer County, and you need to report an overdue party or need other rescue assistance in Custer County call Dispatch at (719) 276-5555 Ext 8

For Non-Emergency Inquiries call the Custer County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 783-2270

For rescue assistance call 911

If calling from outside Custer County, and you need to report an overdue party or need other rescue assistance in Custer County call Dispatch at (719) 276-5555 Ext 8

For Non-Emergency Inquiries call the Custer County Sheriff’s Office at (719) 783-2270

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