Blogs: 2010

On October 13th, 2010 the Utah Olympic Park hosted the annual WBR obedience test for the area avalanche rescue teams.  17 teams attended from throughout Northern Utah.  Each team must pass an annual obedience evaluation to be operational for the up-and-coming winter season.  The teams were tested on behaviors such as sitting, staying, healing, and coming.  Each team practiced "dropping" behaviors where the dog would stop and drop midway while returning to the handler.  Teams also practiced retrieving drills that are good skills for an avalanche team to exhibit.

On April 15th, Chris Monroe from the UOP Patrol tested at Snowbird Ski and Summer resort as second handler to Parley, the UOP's only "A" level avalanche rescue dog.  The test was held in the Mineral Basin area on the south side of the resort.

The test consisted of two live burials with one article in the search area and one outside for a reward.  The first live burial was located in under five minutes and all three were completed in just over twelve minutes.

The Canyons Rescue Training Center is up and running in it's new home.  It took a little while longer than we hoped, but we finally got enough snow to bury the targets and open it up.  It is currently located at Mid Mountain on the Chicane ski run - about 100 Yards north of it's old location.  It's still a great, convienent place to stop and do a few quick drills to keep your skills sharp on your way to Tombstone and beyond, or use it to learn your beacon and hone your skills.  Stay tuned for beacon seminars later this month.

CSP

Slick...that is the general consensus of the WBR Interagency training in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Friday, December 17, 2010.  The Interagency training was designed to facilitate the seamless interface of the several WBR affiliated agencies that operate as an cohesive team in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah.

On Monday Dec 13th WBR Brighton, The Utah Avalanche Center, and Brighton Education Program (BEEP) hosted our annual Know Before You Go Avalanche Awareness Clinic. This FREE clinic is geared toward Brighton employees, and open to the public. Presentations by the Brighton Patrol and UAC educate users about avalanche awareness, side-country use, and Brighton policies. With over 180 employees and guests in attendance it was a fun and educational evening. Thanks to The Utah Avalanche Center and Brighton Resort for thier support.

Wasatch Backcountry Rescue would like to announce the 2010/2011 Avalanche Rescue Dog School to be held in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  The WBR Dog School is open to all professional rescue teams. 

Dates: January 10-14, 2011
Cost:$800-includes lodging and meals from Monday night through Friday lunch.
Limited to 28 teams: first come, first served.
Lodging at the Alta Peruvian-check in Monday the 10th, check out Friday the 14th.

If your able to attend, the 2010 Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) will be held in the intermountain's mecca for winter sports, Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, November 6th.  USAW is a great opportunity to glean some knowledge from professionals in the snow and avalanche industry. 

As the season draws to a close Brighton WBR would like to offer thanks to all the volunteer professionals who make this organization great. Brighton WBR responded to 15 backcountry incidents in the 2009-2010 season. Three avalanche call-outs included. Assistance of a buried avalanche victim recovered by his partner in a heroic beacon search, evacuation of a backcountry skier after losing his equipment in an avalanche, and a precision stabilization and evacuation of a severely injured backcountry avalanche victim with SLC SAR and Airmed personnel. WBR Brighton personnel responded to 12 other backcountry recreation injuries in and around the Brighton Basin including skiers, snowboarders and even a snow mobiler.

The mountains of Utah are filled with countless opportunities to explore new areas and experience the epic terrain up close.  However, as more and more people push farther into the back country, the importance of the professional rescuer being prepared for a back country call out increases dramatically.  The evolution and proliferation of touring equipment has made it easier for the average individual to get out and about.  In the event that you do get called out on a backcountry rescue, make sure your gear is in good working order and that you have the best combination of equipment to get yourself in and out in one piece.