At 1247 on Friday, July 28th, a call went out to the Brigade for a team to assist in extraction of an injured hiker in the Windsor trail area. The subject had two companions with him and there was cellular service at their location so the team had a very clear picture of the situation upon arrival at incident base. It was agreed that the most likely evolution would be to litter the subject out from his location, about three and a half miles from the trailhead.
During our briefing at incident base we learned that a mixed team from Santa Fe and Atalaya SAR were about 20 minutes ahead with a litter. We formed up as Team 2 with another member of Santa Fe SAR who arrived at incident base about the same time we did. We quickly hit the trail as between the two teams there were a dozen personnel, about the minimum needed for a litter haul in that terrain. Given that the trail conditions were somewhat uncertain and technical rope work might be needed to lower the litter in some sections, the IC called in additional resources.
Team 3 brought a mix of Atalaya and Santa Fe Fire with technical gear and paramedics. Team 4 was a wildland fire team who did an absolutely awesome job of clearing deadfall and other obstacles from the trail to allow passage of the litter. Team 5 included additional personnel from Cibola SAR.
By 1815 the subject was in the litter and the combined task force started to move down the mountain. As the saying goes, many hands make light work and those working the litter were generally able to switch out and rest every 10 minutes or so. In the steeper spots there was some tricky maneuvering but in the end no technical work was required. Overall very good time was made and everyone was off the mountain and at incident base by about 2130.
We wish our subject a speedy recovery from his injury!