The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management on Sunday, May 25 at 6:18 p.m. Mt. Rainier National Park had requested six members to report to Gray Army Airfield on Ft. Lewis. They would be airlifted up to the base of Liberty Ridge to help recover the body of a 31-year-old climber who fell while trying to ski down the ridge.

David Mattias Persson had climbed to the summit of Mt. Rainier via the Liberty Ridge route. They then decided to down climb the ridge back to the Carbon Glacier. The fact that only 5% of the climbers who climb this route down climb it attests to the danger involved. To add to this danger Mr. Persson decided that he would try to ski down the last 1000 feet above the high camp at Thumb Rock at 10,800 feet. According to his fellow climbers he caught an edge of his ski and was last seen cartwheeling over the edge of a cliff. His body was found at the 9800-foot level.

Six members responded: Fran McFarland, Larry and Connie Crum, Roger and Maria Ternes and Jim Andrues. They arrived at Gray Field around 8:00 a.m. The Ch47 helicopter that was supposed to lift them to the mountain had already departed. And they were told to drive to the Kautz Creek helipad on Mt. Rainier. Before they could leave though Gus Bush, the Unit operations Leader, was called by the Park saying the recovery was in a high avalanche area and the recovery was called off. Everyone was released by 9:15 a.m. Mr. Perssons body was recovered two days later by Park Rangers.

The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management on Sunday, June 6, at 7:00 a.m.. The King County police had requested six to eight members to help escort the medic from an Army MAST medical helicopter off Kendall Peak. The medic had become stranded on the peak when his helicopter was sent to rescue a 55-year-old climber who had fallen 200 feet down the peak. After the helicopter had lowered the medic to the scene they were engulfed in a snowstorm and had to divert to Boeing field to refuel. Another helicopter from the Yakima firing Center was able to lift the injured climber out around midnight. This left two rescuers from the Seattle Mountain Rescue Council and the medic who had no experience in the steep snow and ice that he now found himself in.

Six members responded: Stan Kartes, Fran McFarland, Jeff Sharp, Mike Mixon, Russ Brinton and Jim Andrues. Before they could meet at the Cache, the first helicopter returned and retrieved the medic. King County called and terminated the mission.

The Unit was contacted by the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management on Tuesday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m.. For the second time in as many months Mt. Rainier National Park had requested 12 Mountain Rescue volunteers to help in the search for a lost snowboarder on the Muir snow field.

William "Tres" Teitjen, 28, was last seen about 5:30 p.m. Sunday as he changed into dry cold weather clothes in the public shelter at Camp Muir. He was planning to snowboard down to the Paradise Parking lot and he left the high camp in a whiteout. Tres had never been to Camp Muir or the Park before, and though he had some experience in snow and ice he had never been in the Cascades before. Also he had never back country snow boarded before; all his experience was at ski resorts. He was not reported missing until Monday night when he failed to show up for a meeting with his father.

Seven members responded to the call-out: Chris Berryman, Scott Nicholson, Mike Mixon, Ken Capron, Marcus Collins, David Burdick and Rob Penny. The rest of the team was filled out by Mountain Rescue members from Olympic and Skagit Mountain Rescue Teams. They were told to report to the Cache at 4:40 a.m. or to the Longmire Ranger Station at 6:30 a.m.

After a briefing by Park Rangers they split into two teams: Team One was Chris Berryman, Rob Penny and Scott Nicholson. Team Two was Mike Mixon, Marcus Collins, Ken Capron and David Burdick.

Team One was driven to the Nisqually River bridge and then followed the river up the moraine to the Nisqually Glacier. After reaching the glacier they roped up and continued up to Glacier Vista at 6500 feet and then down to Alta Vista to the Paradise parking lot. Team Two left from the Paradise parking lot and went up through Alta Vista to Panorama Point to around 7000 feet. They then searched down to the Golden Gate, into the Edith Creek Basin and back to the parking lot. They were then sent back out to search the Mazama Ridge and down to the Paradise Cliffs. While searching around the cliffs Mike Mixon fell into one of the hazards of hiking in spring snow: a moat around a boulder; he was unhurt though rather muddy from the experience. No sign of the subject was found by either team. The Unit was released at 6:00 p.m. The rangers stated that if the weather clears on the weekend they may request us again

It's a nice sunny day in western Washington as you and some friends head for your favorite climbing spot. On the way you pass others also intent on enjoying the outdoors in their nice, large and comfortable recreational vehicles. I've always wondered that while these people are enjoying the wilderness sitting in an auto-leveling, air conditioned vehicle with a refrigerator and stove, are they really getting a true picture of it and the dangers involved or just seeing what's outside their window?

When an article appears in the news on a rescue that the Unit has participated in and the debate over rescue cost arises, are they applying this same Winnebago Factor to the facts involved; are they seeing the true picture?

Using the National Park Service annual search and rescue report for 1998, climbing incidents (187) come in a distant fourth place compared to hiking (1115), boating (534) and swimming incidents (1885) in a report that covers the entire National Park Service. Looking at the actual injuries/illness figures brings climbing up to third at 260 with swimming coming in first at 753, and hiking second at 649. And the most telling of all is the fact that there were only 8 climbing fatalities in the entire National Park Service in 1998. What makes this figure so telling is that on Mt. Rainier alone last year 11,188 people attempted a summit climb. So while climbing rescues on Mt. Rainier may grab the headlines, climbing incidents nationwide for 1998 were around 2% of the National Parks search and rescue load.

The National Park service report quoted in this article does not break down the actual cost summary by type of incident. It does show that for 6,338 search and rescue incidents in 1998 it spent $1,792,363.00 and expended 82,240.1 hours. It also shows that the use of aircraft in searches and rescues cost the Park Service a total of $1,952,149.00 on 1389.25 flying hours of both military and non-military aircraft. While close to 4 million dollars is nothing to sneeze at when spread nationwide and over an entire year it breaks down to about 580 dollars per rescue which makes it a little more bearable.

While the figures quoted are for the National Park service only, I am sure they are comparable to rescues that take place in other areas.

So next time you hear someone debating the cost of rescue, see if they have the true picture or are just applying a Winnebago factor.

Convened 19:40

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

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Tegner, Kate Roberts, Terri Leiby, Maria Level, Roger Ternes,and Mike Mixon.

GUESTS PRESENT: Pat Steele from Bates Technical College, Gary Dunn, Bruce Smith, and Philip Fortier.

The April 99 minutes were approved as read.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Larry Crum

• Accepted as presented for March 99. ( Full report is attached to the official minutes)
• Contributions were received from United Way and for Shorty Williams’ Memorial.
• The letter to Bull & Bear requesting that our money market funds account be closed and the money sent to our account in Rainer Pacific was rejected. It was stated that they didn’t accept the authorization of signature on the letter. They again requested the certificate of incumbency which we have been unable to complete. Larry suggested that we may need to get help from the Secretary of State or from an attorney. It was suggested that possibly Talus Abolins a TMRU member could be of assistance.

KIT REPORT: (per request of the President) Chris Berryman for Tracy Berryman
               (The full text of the report is attached to the official minutes)

• Packaging Containers of Canby, Oregon donated 9000 white 18" wire ties for the survival kits.
• The "packaging parties" have been very helpful and we have a good head start on the summer orders. Mari Bachman has requested the job of packing shelters, so we may be able to skip a few parties.
• Kit parties will continue at the William’s house until further notice.
• TMRU has a sales flyer for customer information requests. These are also available for any TMRU member to give to any potential customers.
• TMRU now has a sales kit that can be used for events or shows. Fill out purchase orders to sign out the products. These are located on a clipboard on the packing shelf.
• Tracy is willing to work on an earthquake/urban survival kit if there is an interest.
• There was a discussion of the prices we should be charging for kits. A committee consisting of Fran, Ken and Tracy will put together a proposal regarding kit pricing.

OPERATIONS REPORT: Gus Bush

• The unit has been on three missions. 5-6-99 Liberty Ridge and 5-16-99 lost climber at Pebble Creek. Please see the June 99 Rucksack for details. The unit was also on the Pebble Creek mission on 5-22 & 23 – 99. The third mission was 5-25-99. Six members responded to Gray Field for a helicopter rescue for the fallen snow boarder on Liberty Ridge. The mission was called off due to high avalanche danger.
• Fran reported that she was concerned that teams were being sent out without an O.L. Gus stated that he takes responsibility on that and makes the decision on a case by case basis.
• Russ suggested the hotline message regarding current missions should be changed to call regardless of whether you can respond or not.
• Chris also emphasized that members should respond to the pager callout with a yes or no.
• It was stated that missions with Mount Rainer National Park have been going well.

TRAINING REPORT: Russ Brinton

• Approximately 20 members attended the swift water training on Saturday May 15,99.
• Russ will be working on putting together a three day swift water certification course for next year.
• The driver training course will be June 25^th. The board voted and approved to pay $200.00 for this course

EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ken Capron

• Two throw bags and a prusik minding pulley were lost at the Big Foot operation. These items were replaced at a cost of $123.00. Losing gear on missions has been a chronic problem.
• Alan suggested that we use a check off sheet for teams to fill out. Ken will work on a system of checking out returning equipment and will present this at the next meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT: Stan Kartes

• Double frequency avalanche beacons need to be purchased. Stan will check into prices.
• Stan stated that more training is needed on the radios.
• Keith McIntosh has turned in his pager, he was on the callout committee. We need a couple of volunteers to be on the callout committee. It is currently only Chris and Tracy Berryman.

SAFETY AND EDUCATION REPORT: Phil Pletcher

• Phil will be checking into Sportsman Shows for the fall of 99 for selling kits.
• The Home Shows will be in May 2000. Kits may be sold there as well.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Chris Berryman

• The following members were voted in at field support: Gary Dunn, Bruce Smith, and Philip Fortier.

FINANCE REPORT: Bill Weber

• Bill bought a supply of trash bags for a good price.
• The wilderness medical books are in. Please see Bill at the next meeting if you ordered one.

AIR OPERATIONS REPORT: Fran McFarland for Jeff Sharp

• The helicopter training is scheduled for the 17^th and 18^th of July. MAST will be on the 17^th and training with Snohomish County on the 18^th.

SAR COUNCIL MEETING REPORT: Fran McFarland

• Fran is continuing to work on getting information on hepatitis shots for TMRU members.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Rob Lutz is home from the hospital and progressing well.
• Ken reported he has two estimates on the locks and will proceed with the lower estimate.
• Stan has found a file cabinet for the approved price and is working on getting the 600 pound cabinet delivered to the cache.

NEW BUSINESS:

• The MRA national conference is June 18^th – 20^{th in} Arizona. The board voted and approved to send Alan Givotovsky and Jeff Sharp with the cost not to exceed $1200.00
• WMRA is June 5^th. We need a representative.
• Larry stated that we will need to move our web site. He will keep the unit informed.
• Pat Steele gave a short presentation on a leadership program that he can offer to our unit for the O.L.’s and full rescue support members. The board voted and approved to commit to 6 months of services from Bates Technical College for leadership training. Russ Brinton will organize the committee for writing up scenarios for the leadership training progaram.
• Alan would like for a committee consisting of Russ Brinton, Chris Berryman, and Roger Ternes to set up a long term training plan.
• Alan asked for advice regarding voting on MRA policies at the June national conference. The board voted not to accept the national standards for accreditation as written. At his request the board gave Alan approval to use his judgement in the voting at MRA.
• The board voted and approved to purchase a plaque for Shorty Williams to be placed out at Spire Rock during a ceremony. Chris will check into getting a couple of estimates.
• Fran, Chris,and Bill are planning to meet with MRNP and other groups to discuss 2000 and beyond.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

• None

Adjourn 22:15

Respectfully submitted

Connie Crum
Secretary

Please make the callouts go as smoothly as possible by doing the following:

• WEAR your pager-you can't hear it in the glove box of your car!
• CALL in when you receive a 911. Tell us YES or NO as soon as possible.
• INFORM us whenever there's a change in your status or information:
  • Vacation dates,
  • new phone number/address,
  • new pager,
  • new cell phone, etc.
  (This can be done by leaving the information on the hotline, 531-2120 at the and of the main message)

Currently the active Callout "Committee" is Gus and me. We would love to share this job with other TMR members. If you or someone in your family would like to assist, please call me at (253) 581-6614. Even if you can only assist with calls on the occasions you're unable to go on a mission, it's greatly appreciated.

John Simac,
Ken Capron,
Jim Andrues,
Tracy Berryman, and
Bill Weber.

They spent most of the evening unpacking and re-packing kits with rattles, from previous sessions and packed 198 new 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 Gena Williams at 564-0581.

On June 23 at the Kit & Pizza Party,

Tracy Berryman,
Gus Bush,
Fran McFarland,
Jim Andrues, and
Bill Weber

The next Kit Component & Pizza Party will be at the Cache, July 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. We need your help.

©Copyright 1999 Tacoma Mountain Rescue