Fresno County SAR
Mountaineering Unit
Ropes Training
4-21-18
Click On Photographs To Enlarge
I was buying some trail supplies at
the Fresno REI and asked a clerk a question about the latest Suunto watches. As
we talked I mentioned that I was an inactive semi-retired team member of the
Mountaineering Unit of the Fresno County SAR team. She introduced herself as
Ann and noted that she was an active member of the SAR team also and they would
be training in the San Joaquin River Gorge this coming Saturday.
They would be doing ropes training
(for high angle rescue) and the fitness hike for the prospective members. The
fitness training consists of an 8-mile loop hike with a 20 lb. daypack on a
course with considerable altitude gain. The course must be completed within
three hours. The particulars of the hike can be found on a prior report here: http://midsierramusing.blogspot.com/2014/03/sar-hasty-deployment-training-03-15-14.html
Well, I decided to drop in on the
training and with the training leader’s permission (Michelle) I took some
photos and videos. I joined the team when I was retired and 60 years old and
was active for about 12 years. I did not choose to participate in the high
angle rescue or swift water rescue trainings but was generally available for weekday
searches when many of the other team members could not be available because of
their employment. I was pretty much an infantryman.
I also wrote a book about some of
the searches I participated in called “Seeking The Lost: Stories Of Search And
Rescue”. During those years the team developed into a very professional
civilian volunteer organization, attached to the Sherriff’s Office, with a much
younger average age. Russ Richardson, Martin Wendels and Nick Kohli before them
really turned things around for a team that had seen declining membership.
I was impressed with the
professionalism and training I saw today and thank the team for allowing me to
photograph and video the ropes training. I wish all of you folks Godspeed and
protection as you ready yourselves for the upcoming outdoor activities season.
Dale+
Ann
Michelle
The Other Dale
Bill Allen Oldest Active SAR Team Member
Mike By His Classic Diesel Suburban
San Joaquin River Gorge Bridge From Above
Fitness Hike Folks
Climbing Gear
Kyle Fitness Hike Record Holder At <1:45
Wiping Pine Needles Off The Granite
Rodger Leading Ropes Class
Gorge
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