Denver Post on SAR overload

[MidsizeAl]

One of the things I think gets missed in these types of discussions is the reduced time and effort of rescue teams with the use of PLBs. Holding all other things constant, if SAR can get an exact location of someone in trouble in the backcountry and communicate them about their situation, the duration, cost, and risk incurred by search teams reduces significantly.

Also, I'd guess the more risk-averse crowd, including those who are prone to making better decisions in the backcountry (like bringing appropriate gear, researching routes, etc.) are the ones bringing PLBs into the field, not the dumb ones who are heading up Quandary as storms are building. How many of you have run into a Dasani-carrying, jean-wearing, pack-less touron who IS equipped with an inReach?

Blaming PLBs (and even cell phones) for an increased number of people needing to be rescued is a red herring.

[mtree]

The article was pretty lame. More marketing spin with pseudo-science.

Are there more SAR attempts now because of evolving technology? Is it because there are more volunteers willing? More SAR resources? More people? More stupid people? More online info on hikes and adventures? Or is it Bill?

It all comes back to Bill. I blame Bill.

[okeefemb]

I'm with k_fergie on this. It is disappointing to see this written as an opinion article. It seems very easy to turn it into an actual story backed by data. That would have introduced interesting discussions. This article seems like an excuse to rag on our generation.

LOL first time reading the Denver Post?

[Matt]

How about that titanic sub?

It's been found.
For $40 per adult and $25 per kid, you can see it, too, once the soft openings end and the rest of us can get in. I'm going for cliffside seating, myself. Only $5 extra.

Screenshot 2023-06-21 at 12.24.51 PM.png (1.25 MiB) Viewed 10333 times

Source: r/denvercirclejerk

[peter303]

I'm telling ya, re-introduce grizzly bears into Colorado.

Then we would have to rescue obese grizzlies who get stuck in caves or on tree tops.

[Trotter]

More people in mountain, more devices that allow you to call for help, and a few people that try to get rescued for the instagram story.

And yes, this website definitely causes more people to hike 14ers and 13ers, prepared or not.

But I also would like to see the SAR statistics. They have to have some.

[JROSKA]

Don’t take it personally that this article rags on the younger generation if you aren’t one of the idiots. Let’s not forget, there were THREE, yes three rescues in ONE WEEK on Quandary this year for morons without freaking shoes. This is the problem. Those types of rescues need to be curtailed somehow. The education and information is out there and available, but do people actually do their research? Seems not in a lot of these cases.

As far as actual rescues for real issues and not idiots, I doubt that number has gone up much or has gone up proportionally to the increase in numbers of people in the mountains. Real situations happen, even to the most experienced. It’s just a shame that SAR has to deal with so many stupid calls on top of the serious stuff.

I agree. Millennials in general will need to develop a bit thicker skin when perceived (fair or not) criticism is thrown their way. Look at some of the things that older generations get ripped for. As you point out, if someone knows that they’re not “one of the idiots”, why worry about what people think of different generations, etc.

Others have pointed this out, and I really think the answer is in education. In our climbing lives, if we encounter someone being careless or nonchalant towards SAR, just point some things out to them. Regardless of how old they are. I needed that a few times early in my path; I remember one of my first hiking partners walking though what SAR has to do, step by step, to launch a rescue. I had never thought of some of it. Education is key.

[Scott P]

Lack of navigation skills is a serious pet peeve of mine. Learn how to navigate. There is no good excuse for getting lost on any standard 14er route.. There is also no valid excuse for climbing a 14er or any other peak you aren't familiar with if you are someone you are with doesn't have navigation skills.

While I respect a lit of what CFI does, I'm not sure that dumbing down all the routes so no route finding is required is the right answer. The huge cairns installed on Holy Cross is an example (though I climbed HC before they were there so haven't seen them in person). The route finding on Holy Cross is very easy for anyone who has even basic route finding skills or who pays attention on the way up. It's both sad an perplexing why people get lost on that one and sad that there is a need for big cairns on the route.

If you don't know how to navigate, simply go with someone who does. It's really as simple as that. It's OK not to have navigation skills if you go with someone who does.

[mtree]

The route finding on Holy Cross is very easy for anyone who has even basic route finding skills or who pays attention on the way up. It's both sad an perplexing why people get lost on that one and sad that there is a need for big cairns on the route.

You may think its easy, but without forethought it happens. On the ascent - once out of the trees - folks don't think about looking back. From there it looks fairly straightforward. Trail segments. Cairns. Just keep going up! However, coming down it appears completely different. Its a massive expanse of rocks with little trail. Looks simple enough... just head towards the trees. That's where the confusion sets in. I think folks don't realize they need to stay hard right and naturally start descending too fast. And by then the hiker is completely off route. It all looks the same so they don't even realize they're lost. There are no cairns in sight. Just rocks. Lots of rocks.

When I've been up there, as I'm ascending, I take a couple photos of the entry area back into the trees. This gives me good reference points even if the weather goes south. It also reinforces my brain to realize I need to stay hard right on my descent.