Surviving an Avalanche, Caught on Camera

In this amazing video courtesy of National Geographic's Adventure Blog, we are provided an unique insight into what it must be like to fall victim to an avalanche. To me, the video was particularly striking in showing the claustrophobia that seemed to grip the skier, especially as his rescuers momentarily turn away from him.  Among other things, the video highlights the need to maintain victim/rescuer communication at all times.



Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo.

On Alcatraz with the National Park Service

A wonderful BAMRU opportunity, assisting the NPS and operating technical systems on Alcatraz Island (above).

Chang recognized by MRA

BAMRU's John Chang was recognized by the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) with a nice feature article its October Newsletter.

Congrats John!!

Contra Costa SAR Search & Tracking Test

BAMRU members joined with MRA teams from Monterey, Ventura, and Marin counties at Briones Regional Park to evaluate Contra Costa County’s SAR team (CoCo SAR) as they tested and successfully passed in the MRA team disciplines of Search, Tracking, and ELT location.


In the evaluation, CoCo SAR located two subjects (CoCo SAR volunteers) and an ELT. One subject had fallen down a hill and had been attacked by an animal.  The second subject was down with a medical issue, and was extricated via litter with a roped low-angle belay.


Real temperatures during the day were above 90 degrees, and while participating in the scenario, there were two CoCo SAR members who needed to be treated for real heat-related injuries.

At the conclusion of the testing scenario, there was a full debrief discussion, the CP area was dismantled, and everyone departed the park. (BAMRU) Yaffe, Meister, Ahntholz, Hoagland, Kantarjiev, Chang; (MARIN) Michael St. John; (Ventura) Andy Puhek, Antonio Arizo; (Monterey) Steve Hershey, Joe Moses, Alain Claudel.

Thank you to BAMRU's Lars Ahntholz, for the submission.

Alpine Skills Training

During the Yosemite Alpine Skills training, a group of us climbed Tenaya Peak (above).