Summer season keeps Search and Rescue, EMS busy around valley

“Be realistic about travel”

By Alissa Johnson

With the busy season in full swing, workers at Elk Avenue shops and restaurants and in local lodging properties aren’t the only ones feeling the surge in visitors. Crested Butte Search and Rescue (CBSAR) and EMS have had their hands full, with CBSAR responding to four calls in three days over the Fourth of July weekend.

“We’re rescuing babies, the usual stuff,” joked Randy Felix, a mission team leader with CBSAR.

In all seriousness, Felix explained, the level of activity is on par with the norm for this time of year. As the population in the valley increases, so does the number of calls for search and rescue.

“Stuff can happen anywhere depending on weather, how prepared people are and how well they communicate with others about their plans,” Felix said.

On Saturday, CBSAR searched for and located an overdue party of two that was supposed to be hiking to Aspen but didn’t arrive when their family expected them.

“They were fine and didn’t know anyone was looking for them,” Felix said.

On Sunday, CBSAR was on standby to assist Western State Colorado University’s Mountain Rescue Team, which sent a team out on the Summerville Trail in Taylor Canyon to search for an overdue party of two plus a dog. The Western team located the individuals and CBSAR did not send a team into the field.

Also on Sunday, CBSAR assisted EMS with a response for a woman who was thrown from a horse at Fantasy Ranch and evacuated by helicopter. Finally, on Monday, a team went up to Long Lake to help carry out an intoxicated female.

“We have a lot of people in town and in the backcountry, and accidents happen. Some are more experienced than others, some make good decisions, some make poor decisions,” Felix said.

Mike Scott, EMS coordinator with the Crested Butte Fire Protection District, confirmed that the woman thrown from the horse was air-lifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, although he did not know the full extent of her injuries.

Scott also confirmed that EMS typically sees an increase in calls over the Fourth of July holiday. Rather than receiving one or two calls per day, they respond to four to six daily. What’s more, Scott has seen the number of EMS calls increase throughout the year. Prior to June, the number of calls was up 49 percent over last year.

“Every month except June, I have had a record month, and this past month was shy of a record by just three calls. So the call volume has increased tremendously and the types of calls have changed. It’s not the old broken legs, it’s the unresponsive, not breathing and cardiac arrest,” Scott said.

It’s a trend that Scott has seen since he joined EMS in 2012, and he attributes the growth to the growth of the community.

“The town, the community, the area is just growing… With the call volume increasing, we’re going to have to up our staffing,” Scott said.

According to CBSAR president Nicholas Kempin, people can take some responsibility for their own safety in the backcountry and take precautions to avoid getting into trouble or having family initiate a search for overdue hikers.

“Always have a plan and then try to communicate that plan to somebody who’s not out there with you, and if you have a time you expect to be back let people know that. Let people know your intended routes so if you are overdue then we know where to look,” Kempin said.

He also recommended building some extra time into that timeline for unforeseen circumstances such as weather delays or equipment repair.

“If you are a couple hours overdue, which would be common for someone repairing a shoe or stopping in a rainstorm, your loved ones won’t be freaking out.

“Give yourself enough time too. The Maroon Bells folks left late in the day to hike for Aspen. Be realistic about travel,” Kempin explained.

The rise of GPS tracking devices that allow people to signal for help can also create complications. Fire chief Ric Ems, who is also a team leader for CBSAR, noted that they can be misused.

“They’re good but the problem is that sometimes people push them because they want more water,” he said.

It’s up to the individual to be accountable, know the terrain where he or she is traveling and be prepared with food, water and supplies. As Felix said, “People just need to be prepared when they go in the backcountry, be aware of changing weather conditions, have a plan, and leave an itinerary with someone.”