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Show Backcountry rescue crew plans fundraiser ff.- - ;- fi'f1 , ' lz j If ' by Nan C'halat An avalanche which injured a backcountry skier earlier this month has mobilized a group of volunteers to organize a new backcountry rescue organization. The group, which includes ski patrolmen from all three Park City area resorts, nordic instructors, helicopter skiing guides and emergency emer-gency medical technicians, will offer its assistance on a round-the-clock basis to the Summit County Sheriff's Department. "So far we've had to rely on whoever we can get," said Sheriff Fred Eley. "I think this will improve our response time 100 percent." "We have people schooled in underwater and mountain rescues but we have no one schooled in avalanche rescue. These people would give us a highly trained advance team," Eley added. In the past, when faced with avalanches in the backcountry, the sheriff's department has called on the ski patrols at the ski areas or snowmobilers and Life Flight. Eley said with the increased use of the backcountry by cross country skiers the dangers have significantly increased. The accident earlier this month occurred in Red Pine Canyon between Park City and ParkWest involving a group of skiers coming over from Brighton, he said. Jim Miller, co-owner of White Pine Touring Center, agrees that use of the backcountry in the Wasatch Mountains has increased dramatically, dramatical-ly, and with the increased use comes the inrroasrrt probability of avalan ches. "I figure we can expect two serious accidents involving personal injuries each year," he said. Having a group of volunteers on call would eliminate the need for the ski areas to send out patrols who are needed on their own mountains, said Miller. "We have the volunteers. We just need the financing," said Miller who added the group's first goal will be to increase public awareness of avalanche avalan-che safety. The Utah Powderbird Guides, are also lending their support to the group. "When we are flying we will make our helicopter available," said Jim Silva, one of the guides. "We are often in the best spot to respond but so far there has never been a central point or a separate team to call." Silva said as soon as they get the call from the sheriff the helicopter could pick up the team and a rescue dog and be on the scene within five to six minutes. Though the specific logistics of the system are still being determined, the group has already identified a need for radios, a dispatch system and rescue equipment. To raise money for equipment, Red Pine Back Country Rescue is hosting a fundraiser this weekend. A Gravity Sport Film Spectacular will be held Friday and Saturday at the Prospector Square Convention Center Cen-ter from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Each night will feature filmed adventures in surfing, skiing and mountain climbing. Kay Santa Maria, an Interconnect guide, and Jim Silva of Utah Powderbird Guides are helping to organize Red Pine Country Rescue. |
