Update and Beyond: Highlines, Guiding Lines, Deflection Lines, Oh My
A diverse group of rope access, fire service, swiftwater and mountain rescue personnel attended last week’s Update and Beyond seminar in Ouray, including folks from Australia, Rescue Japan, North Carolina, and Colorado’s Front Range. As usual, it was a skilled and motivated crew that found time for both training and fun in the Ouray sunshine. Deflection Line over the Gorge Guiding Line to float the litter over difficult terrain Highline over the reservoir
Rigging for Rescue in Iceland
2011 marked Mike’s third trip to Iceland and fourth time working with members of ICE-SAR. This year’s training was held in and around the Reykjavik area. It included ICE SAR participants from various teams around the island nation.
Instructor “Training” – Mt. Huntington
Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek took some time following their recent contract seminar with Denali National Park and the 212th RQS to climb the much revered Mt. Huntington. Gibbs and Koprek chose the Colton/Leach route, a neighbor to the much more often climbed West Face Couloir. This Alaska Grade 6 route was established by British climbers Nick Colton and Timothy Leach in 1981.
Denali/212th RQS
Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek recently completed an annual seminar with 212th Rescue Squadron and Denali National Park. This year’s collaborative training between the Denali Mountaineering Rangers and Air Force Pararescuemen took place in the Ruth Gorge. As always, it was a great seminar in an incredible setting with skilled, motivated participants.
Busy Spring!
Recent months have seen Rigging for Rescue instructors racking up frequent flyer miles crisscrossing the continent conducting both open enrollment and contract seminars, including seminars for The Canadian Department of National Defense, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue, the South Marin Fire Protection District, the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, the Ontario Provincial Police and two open enrollment seminars in the Yosemite Valley. Kootenay Highline System with a reeving variation with the South Marin Fire Protection District The blue glacier ice surrounds Brian as he waits for rescue Eklutna Valley falls away under the rescue crew as they work at passing a knot during a long lower Special thanks to seminar participant John Borland for the above photos from the AMRG seminar. More can be found at his blog: http://www.morffed.com/2011/Rigging-For-Rescue-Seminar/16472600_q9bsS#1239626232_n7M4w If you participated in any of these seminars, feel free to email us with any photos that you would like posted.
Ice Rescue Seminars on Contract
In addition to our open enrollment Waterfall Ice Rescue Workshop, we were please to host several ice rescue workshops on contract in Ouray this year. Participating groups included the 103rd Pararescue Squadron, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, and Canadian Forces SAR Techs from various Squadrons. Thank you to all who participated. Leading Ice Companion Rescue
2011 Ice Workshop
Another Rigging for Rescue Waterfall Ice Rescue Workshop is in the books. Thank you to all our participants who helped make it another fantastic training! Transitioning to the second station during a multi-pitch exercise
