Douglas search and rescue team puts Saturday training into action Sunday with lost skier
A day after search and rescue teams in Douglas County went through backcountry training on the east slope of the Carson Range via Heavenly Mountain Resort, members put their lessons into action with a lost skier reported in the same area on Sunday.
The skier became lost and was found in the same area the terrain training took place, according to Douglas County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Pat Brooks.
On Saturday, Heavenly Mountain Resort allowed the Search and Rescue members to ride the Gondola and Tamarack chair before the resort opened to the public so that the training could focus on safely traveling down to the valley, as would be required on a real rescue. The training session involved navigation in avalanche terrain, a technical rope scenario, and a mock patient transport in a ski toboggan.
They didn't have to wait long to use their finely tuned skills. The SAR team was able to safely locate and rescue the unidentified skier Sunday afternoon.