MORA Nordic Patrol Report 2/22 - 2/23
Hugh Gallagher
Logistically busy patrol weekend with two avalanche training sessions, a large MRA presence on Saturday and normal patrol activities punctuated by high avalanche danger and very wet weather. All marked routes (Devil’s Dip, Narada to Reflection Lake, Edith Bridge/Snow Bridge Crossing) were checked and/or reset, except for the Mazama pole and the gully poles north of Alta Vista. One truck fueled up after patrol on Sunday and the other was above a half tank.
Saturday
- Relatively few visitor contacts.
- A couple of large scout/trail life groups that bailed during the night.
- Highly motivated Avy 1 and Avy Refresher students who endured very bad weather.
- Devil's Dip checked/reset.
- Taskbook Work.
- Great potluck and birthday celebration for Sherry Mezger.
- Very few visitor contacts.
- Modified the patrol plan to reduce exposure to the atmospheric river.
- One team went to Paradise to check the Edith Creek Bridge and the alternate snow bridge route, and to check on the group campsites (See attached photos of the bridges from Denis)
- One team reset Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes (fairly not fun skin/ski!).
- Taskbook Work.
Note: The Winter Techs have been departing for uphill admin travel at 08:30 sharp. Despite arriving at the EOC early on both Saturday and Sunday, our GAR and beacon checks were rushed to ensure timely departure with 889. Upon reflection, there was no urgent need to go up admin on either day, and on Sunday, we held at Narada on an avalanche hold anyway. Typically, I conduct GAR and beacon checks after the 08:00 briefing to benefit from park input. Going forward, I will likely perform GAR as soon as the team is ready and may opt to drive up with the public if necessary to ensure thorough and unhurried GAR and beacon checks.
Hugh
Hugh Gallagher
Jose M Garcia
Hi All,
I was acting lead and Sean was lead this weekend.
Saturday: We had 8 patrollers (Sean, Federico, Gene, Terry, John H, Monte, Denis, Jose). The gate to Paradise was closed, and in the morning we split in two teams and did PSAR from Longmire on the Wonderland trail (one team in each direction). A SAR was called late that morning and we returned to EOC and were on stand by as a back up team but eventually were not needed. We practiced patient packaging and a full scenario (chest pain). In the afternoon a second SAR was called on the Wonderland trail and we were sent out by the Park. We were first on scene and led the rescue medically until the patient was transported out of Longmire by ambulance. The extraction was lead by Kevin and TMR and all our team participated. It was a great opportunity for us to practice all our training and work alongside with the Park Staff and TMR.
Note: Ryan, the Park’s EMT, triggered an avalanche on the way from Canyon Y to Inspiration point on the first SAR. He was on the road and the avalanche ran from 40 ft below the road, was 80 ft wide and 2 feet deep according to his report. He was not caught and there were no other victims.
Sunday: We had 9 patrollers (Sean, Ray, Federico, Gene, Terry, John H, Monte, Denis, Jose). The gate to Paradise was closed and we practiced how to secure patients to different litters and the full body vacuum splint with Kevin and Jillian. Then we went up to Narada Falls under admin traffic, split into two teams and set the poles on the way to Devil’s Dip and Reflection lake. We were not able to fully reset the routes as breaking trail with 2 feet of fresh powder slowed us down significantly. We did not see any avalanche activity.
Notes: The parking lot at Narada was very slippery and John H sustained a minor shoulder injury during a fall. We evaluated him and treated him. We also offered transport back to Longmire for further evaluation and treatment but he declined as the injury was minor. He did not come on the trails and waited for us at Narada Falls. During debriefing we discussed mitigation strategies including wearing helmets and traction devices in the parking lot.
General comments: There were food leftover in the fridge from prior weekend(s). Please remind patrollers to remove all food when leaving on Sunday. There was only one truck available to us this weekend. We picked it up at the EOC as there no vehicles at NH.
Please let me know if there are any questions. Sean, thank you for the opportunity and please feel free to chime in.
Thanks!
Jose
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Jose M Garcia
Hi All,
I was acting lead this Saturday and Gretchen was lead.
Overall, a great day out in the Mountain! We had 9 patrollers (Gretchen, Federico, Michelle, Ruth, Remo, Greg, Julia, Kevin, Jose). Rangers had been involved in an afternoon SAR on Friday (walking a lost/tired skier off the Nisqually Chutes) and there were no climbing rangers, two LEs and three EMTs on site. We were asked to “keep some energy in the tank just in case”. We went up to Paradise with admin traffic and the gate was open 9-5. The weather was great, snow conditions were very good for spring skiing. Several cornices and roller balls were evident everywhere, snow bridges still holding up on the Paradise river area for now.
The park was busy and we did PSAR contacting 200 visitor split in three teams of 3 (two in the Pan face/pan point area and Edith Creek Basin and one in the Paradise valley road/4th crossing pole, and Mazama Bowl area). An exhausted skier that had camped near little Tahoma was escorted down but there were no other events of concerns. We debriefed at the JVC and hanged around in case we were needed. We came down around 4 when rangers started to close down things.
Note: Edith creek gully needs a second pole (unless one was placed on Sunday). Also, the Park pickup truck makes a clicking noise that can be felt on the steering wheel when making a close turn. It may be worth having it checked out although it does not appear to be an immediate hazard. Lastly, rangers told us the Park has had their trash pickup contract rescinded and we should pack out all trash form the park and ask visitors to do the same.
Please let me know if there are any questions. Gretchen, thank you for the opportunity and please feel free to chime in.
Thanks!
Jose
