Dana Couloir Alpine Training

Another small alpine training has come and gone successfully!  This time, a team of three set out for the summit of Mt. Dana via the Dana Couloir.  At 13,053 feet, Mt. Dana is a wonderful venue for an alpine training as it offers the perfect mix of steep snow (35-45 degrees), 3rd-4th class rock, a rappel on the descent and a taste of what it's like at altitude.  


Kito, Blake and Kyle set out on June 8th and headed over Tioga pass to camp for the night.  On Saturday morning gear was packed, and they hiked from Tioga to Dana Lake, where they set up camp and did some snow skills training.  Blake led the team as they practice snow anchor placements, self arrest, and climbing with a running belay. On Sunday they headed directly up the couloir, placing snow pickets and rock pro along the way up. 


"Despite the low snow levels this year, conditions allowed for solid crampon placements and enjoyable climbing. A few pitches of rappelling and downclimbing followed by a hasty retreat to the trailhead left us at our car just before dark."  -Kito


As some of you may know, Sierra peaks this time of year can often bring unpredictable weather, hail, thunder, lightening and wind and it can come in very fast.  Always have a Plan B and maybe C or D just in case you need to bail off a route due to weather.  As you can see from the photos, they were able to follow Plan A all the way!


Nice work guys!  Thank you Kito for the write up and Kito and Blake for the photos.

Springtime Donner Traverse

Green grass, tulips, and chocolate bunnies are some things that may come to mind when we think of spring.  For BAMRU, it's all about the corn!  Not on the cob, but backcountry spring corn.  Spring is when we get our last licks of snow in before the big melt comes, Tioga pass opens and the climbing season begins.

With the growth of our team, we have recognized the need to create several alpine trainings of smaller size so that everyone can have the opportunity for alpine travel in safe numbers.  In mid-April, a team of four journeyed out to enjoy the long awaited conditions by heading out into the Tahoe backcountry on this year's first in a series of alpine trainings.  With some late snowfall, there wasn't much corn at all.  More like fluffy, fresh powder!  So much in fact that the team had to choose an alternate route due to risky avalanche conditions.

As a reminder, always travel in the backcountry with a beacon, probe and shovel and know how to use them.

  Here are some photos of their powdery journey.

Mock Search Training

On Saturday, March 26th, BAMRU conducted a Mock Search Training with 18 guests that have expressed interest in joining BAMRU. The scene was cold and rainy, and provided a great venue for an introduction to our people and search techniques.

During the mock search, we organised our group into 5 teams, and handed out search assignments. Our victim was placed somewhere near the swollen Pescadero Creek, where he had fallen and suffered a sprained ankle, with a possible spinal injury and symptoms of diabetes.

The finding team quickly started the patient assessment process, while maintaining c-spine precautions. Another guest crafted an improvised rigid splint using trekking poles, duct tape and emergency blankets. They administered food and water to elevate the patient's level of consciousness, and kept him insulated.

The team did a terrific job with our patient.

To wrap up the day we discussed guest's next steps before the April Meeting (completing the ICS-100 course), previewed the SAR Basic Training in April, and reviewed BAMRU's application and interview process.

This training was completed while BAMRU was simultaneously responding to a Mutual Aid search. Many thanks to all our guests, and to BAMRU members who led this training.

Storm Watch

'Storm Watch' is an emergency response procedure that the San Mateo Sheriff's Office uses for the Santa Cruz mountains and San Mateo coast.

During a severe storm on March 24, BAMRU received a Storm Watch callout. A BAMRU team was dispatched to the coast, and immediately started responding to calls.

Over a twelve hour period BAMRU was deployed to check water levels in creeks, to assist on scenes with downed trees and power lines, and to clear rockfall from roads.

During this exercise, the BAMRU team covered a wide area, including Woodside, Skyline Boulevard, Pescadero, Tunitas Creek and Half Moon Bay.

MRA Recertification

Last weekend, BAMRU completed the annual Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) recertification, this year held near Lone Pine, CA.

The Lone Pine Recert focused on technical rock rescue. Teams were engaged in scenarios involving an injured climber who was immobile in a high-angle environment. Once the subject was located, teams were expected to administer appropriate medical treatment, then extricate and transport the subject back to a command post.

On all accounts, the event was a huge success. BAMRU attended the event on the heels of a number of recent mutual aid responses across the state.

Oakland Health Fair

John Mandish, Chris Seffens and Ethan Frantz represented BAMRU during a recent Health Fair at Oakland Technical High School. The event gave students a chance to talk with a wide variety of health and wellness service providers.

BAMRU answered questions from about 200 students over the course of the 5 hours we were there.

BAMRU displayed the contents of a trauma pack, AED, Satellite Phone, Puxing Handheld Radio, Personal First Aid Kit, Candy and other SAR related items. We also demonstrated our litter, technical rescue equipment, avalanche probe and shovel.

Thanks to Melissa Brown, the Director of La Clínica de La Raza who sponsored the event. We met a lot of great kids, and hope to attend again next year.

Shasta Search

This weekend BAMRU was involved in a difficult search for a 23 year old man who went missing while snowboarding on Mt. Shasta. Our main search assignments were done on back-country skis, in steep terrain and deep snow. Saturday our team was on scene from midnight to 6pm, with a four hour break for sleep. We left completely exhausted.

The body of the missing man, Alex Gautreaux, was found Sunday morning.

During the search we witnessed friends and family who had hoped for Alex's safe return. This man will be profoundly missed. We send our deep condolences for his loss.

More news: Missing Snowboarder Found Dead | Rescue Effort on Mt. Shasta

2011 Winter Training

BAMRU held its winter training in the Castle Peak area on Jan 22-23. We practised skills for travelling and camping in the winter mountains. Topics included avalanche avoidance, route-finding, search for avalanche victims using beacons and probes. We also practised winter camping and building emergency snow shelters. These skills help to keep our teams safe during winter operations.

BAMRU thanks Planet Granite

BAMRU is grateful to have gotten a generous offer of support from Planet Granite (PG), a local business with climbing gyms across the Bay Area.

PG has long been the favorite climbing gym of many BAMRU members, and some have actually been employees of PG over the years.  PG's generous discounts for BAMRU members are already helping to build and maintain the climbing skills and fitness of our team.

On Dec. 9th Eric Leong presented a Certificate of Appreciation from BAMRU Unit Leader Tom Grossman to Renee De Angelis, co-owner of Planet Granite.

Learn more about Planet Granite at http://planetgranite.com.

New Twist on Litter Handling

This weekend BAMRU practiced litter handling techniques in Cave Gulch in Santa Cruz county. Instructors from the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC) introduced BAMRU to various litter movement techniques, including The California Shuffle, The Lap Pass, The Turtle, The Snake, and The Caterpillar.

All of the techniques included generous helpings of dirt, mud, cold and wet.

Everyone was impressed with how hard it is to haul a patient out through a narrow passageway.

After the exercise the team met for hot tea and a debriefing session. Everyone then headed towards their own homes; colder, muddier, and definitely wiser.

Many thanks to our NCRC trainers.

BAMRU on Alcatraz

On Thursday October 7th, BAMRU volunteered with the NPS to conduct routine maintenance on Alcatraz Island. After meeting at 0830 and taking the first ferry out to the island, BAMRU began work setting up simple main/belay rope systems over the east side of the prison cliff-side, to eradicate the non-native eucalyptus trees growing over the edge. At around noon, we broke for lunch courtesy of the NPS.

After lunch, Owen, a NPS Ranger kindly let us atop the lighthouse to see the blue angels' practice run. BAMRU returned to conduct an evening eradication session before calling it a day.

It was another great day on Alcatraz. Super thanks to the NPS, and specifically Mike Coffey for being such a great host.

Yosemite Training

Last week BAMRU conducted advanced technical rescue training above Yosemite Valley.

The team built rescue systems in environments with considerable vertical exposure. The training covered rigging methods and techniques, rescue forces, and safety protocols.

Some BAMRU members are also active with YOSAR (Yosemite Search and Rescue), and we greatly benefit from their local knowledge and experience.

BAMRU Service Award

The city of Hillsborough paid a special recognition to BAMRU and the other SAR teams involved in the search for a missing woman on August 27. The award was given at the Hillsborough City Council meeting last week. Representing BAMRU were Tom Grossman, Ethan Frantz, Chris Seffens, James Cutsinger, Kurt Gross, Emily Ghio, Jenna Wiley, and MacRae Linton.

After giving a brief summary of the events of August 27, Hillsborough Police directly congratulated the SAR unit leaders, including Gary Vielbaum (Sheriff's Communications), Pete Nuding (Sheriff's Air Squadron), Gary Bloom (SMCO SAR), Tom Grossman (BAMRU), Lt. Ed Barberini (San Mateo County Sheriff's Office), and Sgt. Joe Sheridan (San Mateo County Sheriff's Office).

The community was very thankful for SAR's involvement in the search and relieved that the missing woman was found with no serious injuries.

BAMRU at SAREX

SAREX is the annual conference for the Search and Rescue community in Northern California. (learn more at http://www.sarex.org) Last weekend's SAREX conference in San Francisco had over 600 attendees. BAMRU was able to supply eight instructors and taught five sessions at the conference, with topics including technical rescue, medical care, rescue gear, mapping and web infrastructure.

Technical Rescue Training

BAMRU completed a basic technical training last weekend. The two days of training included practice operating high-angle rescue with high-angle redirect, team communications and commands, anchor systems, and the high angle rescue tripod.

Special thanks to Ethan Frantz and the instructors for an awesome weekend. Also, thank you to the National Park Service for their participation and assistance, and to Marin SAR for bringing SAR2 and the rescue tripod.

Retreat from Mt. Conness

Last weekend during BAMRU's Alpine Training, we sent teams on three different routes (North Ridge, Glacier, and West Ridge) to the summit of Mt. Conness.

A sudden and dangerous thunderstorm interrupted all teams as they were high on the mountain. Strong electric charge was noted by some members' hair standing on end.

Everyone retreated rapidly. One team had to descend off the back side of the mountain, requiring a long hike-out that ended at midnight.

We had 22 people on the mountain. All returned safely.

BAMRU in Ireland

BAMRU's Shannon Lucas has returned from a trip to Ireland where she had the opportunity to meet and train with the Sligo Mountain Rescue Team. (find them online at http://sligoleitrimmrt.ie) It was a fun and educational visit, and we are grateful for their warm hospitality.

Western States UltraMarathon

Last Saturday (June 26) through Sunday morning, BAMRU (& friends) provided medical support for the WS-100 trans-Sierra Ultra endurance run. Stationed at mile 85 was Lucas, Martha, Cal, Jenny (Marin SAR), & Eva (Bellingham Fire). At the finish line was Tom, Kira, Callum, Bill, & Colin.



Throughout the night we evaluated 345 runners and treated severe dehydration, muscle/skeletal issues, blisters, hypothermia, extreme exhaustion, GI issues, hyponatremia, and a case of renal failure. The night progressively got busy and the team did an amazing job handling whatever was thrown our way. The team-work and attitude was amazing, even after 26hrs of no sleep. Huge thanks to all who helped! We did our best to help athletes realize their dream of a 100 mile ultra.

Philips AED Donation

Philips Medical Systems has generously donated a Philips HeartStart FR2+ automated external defibrillator (AED) (http://www.medical.philips.com/main/products/resuscitation/products/FR2plus/index.wpd) to BAMRU via their HeartStart Giving Program.

By doing so, Philips Medical Systems has proven its commitment to saving lives. "Early defibrillation and quality CPR have been proven to save lives. The FR2+ AED, with its clean, uncluttered design is optimized for fast, efficient operation and rapid delivery of life-saving therapy. Commands are clear, streamlined, confident, and concise: ideal for responders who are trained, drilled, and ready to save a life now." BAMRU is grateful to Philips Medical Systems for their generous donation and their commitment to saving lives.

Iridium Communications Supports BAMRU

In 2009, Iridium Communications (http://iridium.com/) generously donated an Iridium 9505A (http://iridium.com/products/product.php?linx=0001) satellite phone and service to BAMRU. Because of this donation BAMRU was able to maintian vital communication on multiple high-profile searches in areas of California where all other outside forms of communication failed. Iridium Communications recently announced that it would be continuing donated phone service to BAMRU through 2010. BAMRU is very grateful to Iridium for the continued support of search and rescue.