UMASAR In Action

Rope Rescue in Dark Canyon

UMASAR personnel responded to a a male and female who had dropped into Dark Canyon while elk hunting for the first time. The female was injured in a fall and also had other medical issues that prevented her from being able to hike back out of the canyon. When UMASAR volunteers arrived she was also suffering from hypothermia. Assisted by members of the U.S. Forest Service, UMASAR searchers built a large warming fire, provided food, brought in blankets and erected a temporary shelter. Two searchers stayed with the pair all night. In the meantime mutual aid was requested from the Union County Search and Rescue unit's rope rescue team. Early next morning the rope team and UMASAR volunteers hauled the victim to safety using a special sliding litter and a rope system. The female was subsequently taken home where she made a full recovery from her ordeal.