Jan 17-19 2026 Patrol Weekend Report

[Tom Hobbs]

My thanks to this weekend's amazing team - Greg Arden, David Boschwitz, Leanna Slingerland, Jodie Wolf, Ian Bellows and, last but not least, Amanda Yekel. They all contributed in big ways, had a few laughs and ate a lot of pasta; they persevered even when their patrol lead didn't send a pre-weekend email (some how it was stuck in my draft folder).

A couple of admin items - 

• Each vehicle now has an ice scraper; we need to mark these so that they don't disappear with the vehicles at the end of the season.
• Both vehicles were refueled on Monday morning before our GAR.
• All of the vests and jacket have been washed and re-waterproofed.
• ***The driver's side headlight on the truck is not functioning and needs to be replaced.***

Saturday's goals focused on PSAR with 3 patrollers. We attended the morning training session with the Winter Techs and LEOs presented by the Hood Craig Rats and then reset the poles around Edith Creek so as to push guests across the foot bridge and not the snow bridges that had melted out (pictures). On standby for Muir Snowfield Collarbone SAR (first SAR of the winter season) and assisted as needed. One of the after-action comments was that it would be a good thing if Nordic patrollers were re-hydrated, fed and ready for a potential SAR. (10-hour day)

Sunday's focus was PSAR and to be back at the vehicles by 2:30pm (LEOs requested that we be ready for potential SARs later in the afternoon so we returned to vehicles to re-hydrate, eat, prep gear.) Both parking lots were full shortly after the gate opened and conga lines were observed in several locations during the day. Jodie, David and Greg re-established the trail closures above the Alta Vista Falls that flow into Edith Creek (3X pole markers 46.79702, -121.73519) see pictures. (9-hour day.)

Monday's goal was to reset the poles between Paradise and Narada Falls and, if possible, do some beacon training. 744 (Ash) and 745 (Chad) asked that we focus on PSAR around Paradise so we did that while several potential SARs were being investigated/developed. Jode, David and Amanda when to the base of Pan and Leanna, Ian and Tom shoveled out the Edith Creek footbridge. Then Leanna and Ian reset the poles from Paradise to Narada Falls and brough back the Expedition from Narada. Very close to end of the day, a guest injured her leg behind the Inn on the trail to Mrytle Falls. 643 (Breanna) and Tom were the hasty team and Amanda, Jodie, David, Ian and 642 (Winnie) were the litter team. (8-hour day).

In summary, a very busy 3-day holiday weekend; tons of contacts, 3 SARs, and some poles reset while enjoying the clear weather that hovered in the low 50s. 

I'm exhausted typing all of this and you probably want to return to your evening streaming event. Take care and continue to perform your thrice daily snow dances - we need it.

Tom

425-766-5135