The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management at 1:30 P.M. on the 3^rd of March. The King County Police requested our assistance for an evidence search for a possible suicide of a 20 year old male in the Greenwater Area. They requested we meet at the search base on the FS 70 road 6 miles off Highway 410 at 8:00 A.M. Friday morning.

A callout was made and five members responded: Jeff Sharp, Dave Treber, Fran McFarland, Cheryl Wells and Kate Roberts. They met at the Cache at 7:00 A.M. on Friday morning and proceeded to the search base.

Upon arrival they were briefed by the King County Police; the subject's car had been found. They wanted our team and other search teams to make a visual search, and to also use probe polls to check in the snow for a couple of hundred feet around the vehicle. Later in the afternoon the search moved to the nearby banks of the White River. No evidence was found and the team was released to return home around 5:00P.M.

The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management at 11:00 A.M. on Sunday the 21^st of March. Mt. Rainier Park Rangers had requested six Mountain Rescue Volunteers for a 56 year old climber who had fallen on the Upper Nisqually glacier.

A callout was made by Gus Bush and Fran McFarland and seven team members responded: Jim Andrues, Stan Kartes, Mike Mixon, Rob Penny and Ken Capron. Members Chris Berryman and Cheryl Wells responded from a Mountaineers training near Irish Cabin on the north side of the mountain by the Carbon River entrance to the Park.

The subject, E. Dawes Eddy, was ascending the mountain solo with permission from the Park. He had reached the 12,500 foot level around Gibraltar ledge when he fell down the area commonly known as the Nisqually chute, landing at around the 10,500 foot level. His fall was witnessed by a team of four other climbers who notified the park by cell phone. While one climber went down to Eddy to assess his injuries the rest returned to Camp Muir for rescue supplies.

Tacoma MR members were told to report to the Cache at 12:30 P.M. or at the Paradise Ranger Station at 2:30 P.M. When they arrived they were told to gear up for a climb to Camp Muir. They would be the back up to carry the injured climber off the mountain in case an attempt to get a helicopter to the injured climber failed. The weather was intermittently clearing up and then clouds would surround the mountain. A small Long 208 helicopter was able to land below the injured climber and remove him to the Kautz Creek Helipad around 3:30 P.M. Both Chris and Cheryl were standing by at the helipad and helped remove the subject from the park litter for transfer to the Northwest Airlift Helicopter's stretcher. He was then airlifted to Harborview Hospital where his injuries were determined to be a broken right lower leg (a very lucky man, Editor.) Our team met with Park Ranger Rick Kirschner who was the incident commander at Longmire to debrief and then returned home.

This is the first Prez's Corner written by our present Unit chairman Alan Givotovsky. Editor

Unsung Heroes

Greetings! The Unit is off to a good start this year with rave reviews for our efforts on missions outside of our home county. Our professionalism and skill have been described "as second to none." It is gratifying to know that all those hours of training are appreciated by agencies calling on us for help.

The efforts of many individuals are required to keep our organization running smoothly. I'd like to recognize a few of these folks this month. My hunch is that you know who they are but don't really think twice about the effort they put forth. As President of the Unit, I count them among my unsung heroes.

I suppose if you attended the Unit's 40^th anniversary banquet you'd agree that Dolores and Lee Tegner are no longer unsung heroes. Finally, they received a smidgen of recognition for all the years they coordinated our kit sales. Our survival kit has been the financial lifeblood of the Unit for many years and has given us a degree of independence that is uncommon among mountain rescue groups. Due to the Tegners' efforts, our suppliers and customers know they can rely on TMRU to provide consistent professional service. Taking over the reins from the Tegners are Tracy and Chris Berryman.

The Berrymans are no strangers to extra service for the Unit. Chris has been Secretary, Membership Chair, instructor, helicopter crewmember and general Unit handyman. Tracy has headed up our Callout Committee. I can't thank them enough for taking on this extremely important task for the Unit.

Gus Bush has been editing the Rucksack for over nine years. Several of his articles have been published in the national MRA Forum. Every month we can count on the Rucksack arriving dependably in the mail (or in person at board meetings). This publication is a vital communication link for our members and a permanent record of our activities. As President I am spoiled, I never have to worry if the Rucksack will be done properly and on time.

Finally, there is Shorty Williams who has been spearheading our kit parties for many years and has been Master of Ceremonies at our annual banquets. Shorty has allowed our kit supplies to invade a substantial part of his home and he has coerced many family members into the kit building process. Let us all send our best thoughts to Shorty and his family as they deal with health problems.

There are other unsung heroes, of course; in the future, I'll identify some of these key players in our organization. Without these folks putting in extra time we would not be as successful as I mentioned earlier. Perhaps you'd like to become an unsung hero; I'm sure we've got a position tailored just for you. Give me a holler if you'd like to be more involved with your organization.

One final note, we've already had one mission to Mt. Rainier this year. With near record snowfall for the season, the rangers are anticipating a potentially active rescue season. Although it is Spring according to the calendar, the mountains are still on Winter schedule. Avalanche hazards could be quite extreme for the next few months. So let's be careful out there.

Alan Givotovsky,

The Prez

Convened 19:37

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Fran McFarland, Alan Givotovsky, Bill Weber, Gus Bush, Larry Crum, Jim Andrues, Phil Pletcher, Jeff Sharp, Stan Kartes, Connie Crum, Russ Brinton, and Ken Capron.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Tegner, Dave Treber, Wayne Walls, William O'Brien and John Kirkman

VISITORS PRESENT: Dave Burdick, Seth Brothers. Sanford Winslow and Russell Anschell.

The January 99 minutes were read and approved as read.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Larry Crum

• Accepted as presented for Jan., Feb. and year end report. (Copies to board members)
• Larry provided a copy of the truck drivers list as requested by Alan Givotovsky and Russ Brinton.
• Larry will discuss membership and dues with Chris Berryman to prepare the annual membership list for MRA and to pay MRA dues. This information will then be forwarded to Gus Bush so that he can update the Rucksack mailing.
• Larry will be sending in the annual $200 contribution to WMRA.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• Gus reported on the Feb. 9^th search for two lost snowshoers at Mason Lake. See March 99 Rucksack for full details.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton

• Ken Capron reported the Feb. training was held at Box Car Canyon. Six members attended the Saturday training and practiced raising and lowering. The Wednesday training in Feb. was cancelled due to the mission that was in progress.
• Russ is in the process of setting up a training (possibly in April) for the truck drivers. All members are welcome to attend. This is not a certification course. Tom Miner will be the instructor.
• Russ reminded members that sign-up sheets for training can be found on top of the file cabinet.

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Ken went through two rigging kits and replaced the webbing. He also inventoried all of the truck equipment and cleaned the truck.
• The rope log books can be found on the pegboard.
• Ken has found polypro shirts that can be silk screened. He will present these at the March 10 general meeting.
• Dave Treber purchased a "deep discharge" battery for the truck and will also be getting the tires rotated .
• The issue of where to store the generator, chain saw, gas can and chains in the truck was discussed. At the present time the generator is stored in a plastic bin.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: Stan Kartes

• Dave Wright and Andrew Cull turned in their pagers 2-1-99. A new pager was issued to Keith McIntosh on 2-19-99 and he is now on the call out roster.
• The radio harnesses are now in one case with all of the other radio equipment.
• A replacement battery (approved last month) was purchased for the radios.
• Mike Mixon opted to pay for his pager. John Miner was added to the most active list for 1998 and will get his pager paid for by the Unit.

SAFETY & EDUCATION REPORT: Phil Pletcher

• Phil reported that TMRU's booth at the Seattle Home Show was a success; kits were sold and good contacts were made. A snow- mobile dealer is interested in buying kits.
• Ideas were discussed to make the booth better: i.e. banner, videos of our rescue missions, trainings, etc.
• Phil asked if anyone had any information on where we purchased the bumper for the truck. Anyone knowing should share the information with Phil.
• The Puyallup Home Show is March 27 and 28 and will be outside.
• March 11^th Chris Berryman will be speaking at the Mountaineers.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• Four new members were voted in at field support: Dave Burdick, Seth Brothers. Sanford Winslow, and Russell Anschell.
• The application form will be removed from the web page.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• No activity.

AIR OPERATIONS REPORT: Jeff Sharp (Rob Lutz reported for Jeff)

• The old helicopter at Clover Park did not have to be moved in order for the below ground storage tanks to be removed.
• The gear from the helicopter is being stored in the cache.

SAR COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Jeff Sharp

• No Report.

MAST MEETING REPORT: Bill Weber

• The next meeting is March 9^th in Yakima.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Alan reviewed the four building options and suggested that we look into grant money to obtain a more suitable building. He stated that we would need to write up a proposal and need the board and membership behind it. The whole process would take 3-4 years.
• Gus stated that most other units have their classes where their trucks are parked. The problem with an alternative site meeting is that you don't have your equipment when you need it. The plan is to look at short and long term goals. Alan will bring the topic up at the March general meeting.
• Bill Weber suggested having other groups share the building. Jeff Sharp suggested that would be inappropriate.
• Gus attended the WMRA meeting on Feb. 6^th. Gus asked if we should be involved in SARVAC.
• There is a problem with the garbage. It was decided that we will take turns taking it home to avoid the problem of pick-up at the Cache.
• The mentor program will be presented to the membership.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Russ Brinton reported that he read on the MRA lister that they are looking for volunteer rescue teams to assist at the 2002 Olympic Games in Utah. It was decided that we would not attend as a group. Individuals may respond if they desire.
• Phil Pletcher reported that he is working on getting pro deals on Atlas snowshoes.
• Alan inquired about business cards. We have a supply at the Cache.
• Jeff Sharp requested to be reimbursed for a zip drive that he purchased to do graphics for the Unit. The board approved.
• Stan Kartes and Fran McFarland will be attending the Rigging for Rescue course May 29-June5th The board voted and agreed to pay for half of the tuition (up to $250 each).

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

• The Survival brochures will go to the print shop on 2-25-99.

Adjourned at 21:55

Respectfully submitted,


Connie Crum, Secretary

Purpose: To give unit members specific instruction on rigging rope systems commonly used in rescue work.

When: 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. April 15, 1999

Where: Rescue Cache

What to bring: Bring a note pad and pencil for notes and to diagram systems.

Instructor: Chris Berryman

Attendance: RSVP 581-6614

The following members attended the Kit party on Wed., Mar 3, 1999

Shorty Williams,
John Simac,
Jeff Sharp,
Stan & Angela Kartes,
Tracy & Chris Berryman,
Bill Weber,
Ken Capron,
Fran McFarland,
Stan Engle,
Marie & Roger Ternes, and
Kevin Voller

They made 350 kits.

A Kit Component/Pizza party was held at the Cache on Mar 24. The following people laughed, worked and ate:

Kate Roberts,
Terry Leiby,
Ken Capron,
Chris & Tracy Berryman,
Stan Kartes,
Jeff, Lynn & Nicholas Sharp,
Larry & Connie Crum,
Bill Weber,
Jim Andrues,
Fran McFarland,
Alan Givotovsky, and
Gus Bush.

They made 630 Shelter Kits.

Remember the kit party is 7:30 P.M. the first Wednesday of the month at 2905 Parkway Dr. W. If you need directions call Shorty Williams at 564-0581. We need your help.

One last note. Check out a slide presentation by Mike Gauthier (Gator) Lead climbing Ranger at Mt. Rainier at the Mountaineers Clubhouse at N30th and Carr St. in Tacoma on April 16 at 8:00P.M.

©Copyright 1999 Tacoma Mountain Rescue