Denali NPS and 212th PJs in Alaska

We just returned from our annual pre-Denali climbing season seminar with the ranger cadre from Denali NPS. The training also included a contingent from the 212th USAF Pararescue (PJs) based in Anchorage. The PJs regularly augment the Denali climbing ranger patrols and serve as rescue medics on the mountain during the climbing season of May/June.

The weather was unseasonably warm and we had to battle some adverse conditions that included rain and an isothermal snow pack.

The ice climbing conditions were on the way out in Valdez, but we managed to put together some good training exercises despite the warm weather.

Our last day included crevasse rescue scenarios on the Valdez Glacier.

Tagged Alaska, Denali, Mountain Rescue, PJs, Rangers