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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2017)
24 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon RESCUE: Preparedness was key to successful outcome Continued from page 1 This area in Death Valley is an arid, desert environment with extreme temperature changes ranging from highs in the upper 80s this time of year to lows in the 40s and winds gusting up to 50 mph. In preparation for this trip, the group spent time reviewing and practicing rappel, rope and anchor techniques, stud- ied topographical maps and journals of previous group trips on this descent, which included pictorials of the types of anchors you might expect to see. Typical anchors in Hades Canyon are created using streambed boulders. Having been to the area last year, the group had some experience in planning and had more than enough rope to rappel, retrieval rope plus extra, enough food and water and appropriate clothing to spend a night in the canyon if needed. The group had also left a note on the dashboard of the truck at their end- point noting that their intent was to be out of the canyon on Thursday night or Friday morning as well as informing friends and family when they should expect phone contact indicating they were out of the canyon. The hike starts at approxi- mately 5,475 feet in elevation at the parking lot, includes 14 rappels and ends near Bad Water at around 200 feet below sea level. The group started their day in the park- ing lot around 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 13. They had covered approximately 3,500 feet in elevation and four miles of linear distance when around 3:30 p.m. dur- ing the fourth rappel, Captain Thornton Brown lost con- trol of a rappel and suffered an approximate 40-foot fall. He was the first of the three to rappel down. Fire Medic Millar and Captain Liming were able to communicate with Captain Brown, asking him what he thought his inju- ries were, and the other two began their descent down to help him. After Fire Medic Millar and Captain Liming reached Captain Brown, they did a complete assessment and found that the injuries he sustained would prevent him from hiking out on his own. The group spent time working together to make a decision on whether or not Fire Medic Millar would go out alone to get help or for both Captain Liming and Fire Medic Millar to go out together. Because Captain Brown’s injuries did not appear life-threatening and the group had sufficient water, food and clothing, they determined it wasn’t critical for Captain Brown to get out that night. They decided the biggest potential for something more to go wrong would be for Fire Medic Millar to go out alone in case something happened to him. The group spent time stabilizing Captain Brown’s injuries and repositioning him below an overhang to protect him from rock-fall. Captain Brown was left with a down jacket, more than a gallon of water and food, and the other two members of his team pro- ceeded out of the canyon to get help around 5 p.m. After another four rap- pels, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Fire Medic Millar and Captain Liming set up a bivy and spent the night in the can- yon for safety reasons. The duo proceeded out of the can- yon at first light on Friday, April 14 and contact was made with local emergency services at approximately 11:30 a.m. The Inyo County Search and Rescue and National Park Service emer- gency services personnel con- tacted California Highway Patrol Inland Division Air Operations (H-80) for a hoist rescue immediately after speaking with Fire Medic Millar. Fire Medic Millar said PHOTO PROVIDED The circled area marks the location from where Captain Thornton Brown was rescued in an airlift. “a traditional high-angle rope and was able to fly home rescue with a ground crew commercially the next day. would have been an extraor- Fire Medic Millar said that dinarily difficult extrication during the trip, “many lessons involving a great deal of were reaffirmed including: trained personnel and mul- hope for the best, but prepare tiple days.” for the worst; be prepared to CHP H-80 located Captain stay out at night; carry extra Brown in what they said was water, food and have appro- “some of the most inhospi- priate clothing; and think table terrain” their area has through and take your time in to offer. H-80 worked their making critical decisions.” way up the canyon to where Fire Medic Millar said Captain Brown was posi- as an emergency response tioned, and lowered a res- professional, he “under- cuer from 100 feet to evalu- stands how incredibly effi- ate and package him for a cient the response was and hoist. The crew of H-80 had has the utmost appreciation Captain Brown on the ground for assumed risk that rescue in Furnace Creek in just over personnel take on with such four hours of being notified. work.” Captain Brown was The group offered their assessed by an ambulance sincerest thanks and respect crew and evaluated at the local to all of the responders for a hospital in Pahrump, Nevada, job well done. The Nugget Presents R e a l E s t a t e S p e c i a l S e c t i o n Publishing Memorial Day Week • May 24 & 31, 2017 SHOWCASE LISTING Designed to catch Memorial Day Weekend/ Summer Visitors & Locals, Sisters Showcase of Homes is the center of this special section featuring area listings for sale to make for an easy, user-friendly experience. 1161 E. Cascad Ave. Steps away from e all the amenities of Sisters! Th is si single-level home fea eat tur ure es s hardwoo od d & tile fl flo oo ors rs, , 3 bedroom s, 2 baths s, , large kitchen open to the dining ng and greatroom with fi replace. Family room, utility room, deck, 2-car garage, tiki bar. MLS#201602059 sam $ $429 , ,000 REALTOR SPOTLIGHT This special section also includes a very limited number of Realtor Spotlight spaces. Your contact information and color photo along with your story provide potential real estate clients plenty of information to make the right decision when choosing a Realtor in Sisters Country. Realtor Spotlight spaces will run one week and are available for $125 Reserve your space early ... they will sell out Agent listing dimensions 3.1” wide x 6.1” high Phil Arends Principal Broker 541-420-9997 www.realestateinsister s.com Re al estate listing dimens www.blackbutte.com ions 4.6" wide x 3" high Cost to place your real estate listing in the Showcase is just $245 for 2 weeks Call Karen to help you with your ad 541-549-9941 or ads@nuggetnews.com
