The Program Last Week 07/28/22They are a 501c3 all-volunteer group working with the Chelan County Sheriff’s office, which will call them when needed. Their mission is to save lives through search, rescue, emergency medical care and mountain safety education; their focus is alpine areas and technical rescues, most often in the Enchantments. Other groups coordinate with the Sheriff, such as the Swiftwater Rescue group, Search and Rescue, and the Sheriff High Angle Rescue (for highway or close to town).
Vern described a few rescues off Mt Stuart, where climbers either were injured or became exhausted. Their group had 14 missions in 2021 (756 hrs) and so far, 12 missions (347 hrs) in 2022. Certain missions eat up a lot of hours, such as one on Mt Stuart with 241 total team hours.
NAWSI is the Whidby Island Naval Station which sometimes sends in their helicopter to assist (which although it costs $18,000/hour to fly, counts as training for them, so it is a win-win). However, in hot weather or adverse conditions the chopper cannot operate. Vern’s reason to volunteer is to give back. It is sometimes fun, sometimes not. CCMR holds training 1-2 times each month for their approximately 25 members who are hikers, skiers, climbers and medical professionals. This is a good number; they may get/lose a couple members a year and are always looking for volunteers. Their missions only require a certain specific small number of people, so they need enough but not too many. In contrast search and rescue is lots of people.
He was featured by Wenatchee World as a "30 under 35" last year. You are encouraged to watch the ZOOM video recording here.
 |
 |
 |
 |