From Stowe Rescues book
Stowe Mountain Rescue
17h ·
Hello 2022! Yesterday we had a beautiful dump of snow and the inevitable uptick in outdoor recreation – which in turn resulted in the first three calls of the season.
One was a call to the Cottonbrook area to help extricate two injured snowmobilers. They were patrons of a snowmobile tour who had suffered a mishap about 4 miles out from the trailhead. Our hasty team immediately headed in to deliver medical care while other team members followed with the ATV and boggan to bring the injured parties down. The operation went smoothly and we delivered the subjects to the waiting ambulance.
Night fell before the next call went out. This was for two skiiers, disoriented and suffering from cold and dark in the backcountry high above the Mt Mansfield touring center. It’s always striking how the most beautiful day with perfect conditions can become dangerous as night falls and the temperatures drop. Here’s the mantra: Head lamp, head lamp, head lamp. Oh, and spare clothing. And water, food, spare batteries, first aid kit, a means to light a fire, a compass (the mantra gets less snappy the more things we add, but your safety and comfort increases…)
Call number three: an injured snowboarder who was out of bounds from Stowe Mountain Resort. Two of our team members were working at the mountain when the call went out and were able to respond as hasty team. Mt Mansfield Ski Patrol was also in attendance. Luckily the incident had happened within sight of 108 so access by ATV and snowshoe was relatively straightforward. Our team brought in the litter, greatly helped by the subject’s friends who were capable and willing assistants throughout the extrication. A brief rope belay was required at one point but otherwise it was a straightforward haul to get him down to the boggan and onwards to the ambulance.
We’re delighted that the snow is finally here but it’s a little sobering to be called out three times within 24 hours. Be warned: the base is still thin. Go easy, folks!
TOPT We had so much fun at the show! Much thanks to Buckethead for inviting me to a show in Albany some years ago. They are touring doing the Lamb the next two years and are rumored to be retiring after. See them whilst you can;)
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