At zero dark thirty on May 13th 2021 eight members of the Brigade along with two members from Cibola SAR hit the trail from Jacks Creek campground. The mission will be one of the our more arduous missions. Our job is to support a team from Santa Fe that is about an hour ahead of us. The overall mission is to rescue four backpackers who were heading into day four of what was supposed to be a three day loop on the Skyline Trail. The backpackers had encountered waist deep snow and after much postholing were exhausted and out of food and water. The group had managed to find one of only a few spots where cell service was available and had called for help. Incident base was able to get their coordinates so we know exactly where they are – 11 miles in and 4,000 feet up from the trailhead. Starting to get clue as to why this mission will be arduous?
The hike in is uneventful, however, we change in and out of showshoes several times and it is colder than many expected it to be. We come prepared for all weather so all stayed warm. We slowly gain on the first team and when team one reaches the subjects we are about a quarter of a mile behind. Two from our team go forward to see what help team one needs while the rest of us hang back, provide radio relay and await further instructions. The two Brigade members meet up with team one and the subjects, help provide medical assistance and are assigned to be subject advocates for two of the subjects. Two members from the Santa Fe team are assigned to be advocates for the remaining subjects. Turns out the subjects are in good shape and once they take in calories, rehydrate and given snowshoes they are ready to hike out with us.
An awesome team effort ensures the hike out is also uneventful. By now the Civil Air Patrol has a high bird circling our location providing a reliable radio relay. A high bird is a small, fixed wing aircraft with radios on the State SAR frequencies. Many thanks to the CAP! Seven miles from the trailhead we meet up with the New Mexico Mounted Search and Rescue Team from Tijeras NM at Pecos Baldy Lake. We are so glad to see them because this means we can off load many pounds of no longer needed gear like snowshoes, tents, sleeping bags, etc. Many, many thanks for the NMMSAR for coming out! Did I mention we no longer have to carry snowshoes?
Twenty four hours after leaving home, 36 to 40 hours without sleep, 22 miles and 4,000 feet up and back down all arrive home safe and sound. Although arduous, the mission was glorious as the pictures below attest. I want to thank all involved for helping return our four subjects home safely.
