Episode 17 – Jeepers Saving Lives
Welcome to the High Sierra 4×4 Podcast!! I’m your host Greg Bakken and joining me is my co host Jeff Bakken. We have been wheeling for 15 years and we are here to share our passion for off roading with you!! Whether you’re looking for a Sunday drive or some hard core rock crawling!! We will cover it all!
Episode 17!!
What’s up Jeff?
Sierra LED lights.com
Announcements:
Sweet things in the works!!
Interviews, SEMA Build, Giveaways
March Giveaway!!
Main Topic: Being Safe in The Back Country
Summer is upon us and everyone is starting to head out and enjoy the outdoors.
Once-missing Bay Area dad, 2 children found safe
We’ve been coming up here for almost 30 years, camping at Fiddle Creek
All three were airlifted out of the area and are said to be doing OK.
He is no stranger to the rugged terrain of the Tahoe National Forest, according to his friends.
“The week before he was through the Mojave Desert with friends,” said Rob Wharton, a friend who works with Vlohas. “Every chance he gets, he really tries to take the kids and get out and show them nature. He is such a family guy. He is dedicated to his kids, he loves his kids.”
Two Rivers Member Assists in Rescue of Fallen Climber
Easter Sunday morning a member of TRJC was instrumental in helping retrieve a fallen climber from a 250 foot deep canyon in Moab, Utah. A 28 year old climber from Salem, Oregon, had been free-climbing, alone, the day before, and had fallen the last 40 feet into the canyon. He was severely injured, unable to move, and was finally able to yell for help Sunday morning.
A mountain biker heard the call for help from the bottom of Abyss Canyon and flagged down a couple people who used their GPS and a cell phone to call in the accident. At the same time, Dave Christensen (Red Rock 4-Wheelers and Two Rivers Jeep Club), Bob Micklick (Red Rock 4-Wheelers), Garry Shadwick (Two Rivers) and Craig Mullauer (Sundowners 4×4) were starting the Hell’s Revenge 4WD trail and came upon the scene. The group of 4-wheelers remained at the scene to help render assistance.
A Utah State Police helicopter soon arrived with members of the Grand County Search and Rescue (GCSAR) team to assess the situation. The helicopter was able to drop several EMTs in the canyon about ½ mile from the injured climber. They hiked up the canyon to render aid while another group of personnel were flown in and gathered on top of the canyon. After an assessment, it was decided that due to the severity of the injuries, the climber could not be carried out. He was also unable to be lifted out by the helicopter because of his location within the canyon. Since the 4-wheelers were on site and had offered assistance, GCSAR decided to use one Jeep as an anchor to allow additional rescue personnel to rappel down to the injured person and then use the other Jeep’s winch to raise the injured person up the 250 foot cliff.
Bob positioned his Jeep so the team could use it as an anchor to rappel down the canyon with a litter basket and medical supplies. Dave positioned his Jeep well behind Bob’s (for safety, in case it started to slide) and prepared to use his winch to raise the injured person and an attendant EMT up the canyon.
After two hours of medical attention and careful preparation by GCSAR, Dave raised the climber in the litter basket along with the attendant EMT 250 feet out of the canyon. That process took close to 20 minutes as there were frequent stops so the EMT could move the basket around rock ledges on the way up and also to respool the 100′ winch line several times.
Listener Feedback:
Send us your questions and comments!!!
podcast@highsierra4x4.com
Events and Happenings:
Meet and Greet coming soon!!
May 21st
Outro:
podcast@highsierra4x4.com
www.highsierra4x4com/podcast
www.facebook.com/highsierra4x4
www.highsierra4x4.com
