SAR COORDINATES

April 2008

TONTO RIM SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUAD, Inc.

P.O. BOX 357
STRAWBERRY AZ 85544

 A self-supporting, not-for-profit group of volunteer citizens dedicated to improving safety in the Arizona wilderness.

Operating under the authority of the Gila County Sheriff's Office
John Armer; Sheriff

TRSAR Squad meets monthly

General Public Welcome
2nd Thursday @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Payson Public Library Meeting Room
328 N. McLane Road - Payson, Arizona

Busy Month Ahead: 

 April looks to be a very busy month for SAR activity. 

·         April 5, 6:  SAR Academy at TRSAR squad building.  This is a required training that must be taken sometime during the first year of SAR membership.  It is offered by various SAR units throughout the year, and we will be joined his year by some CAP (Civil Air Patrol) new members.

·         April 12:  Emergency Response Preparedness Show;  Church parking lot at Ponderosa and Aero (just south of the hospital).  We’ll have a booth, show off gear, raise awareness.

·         April 18, 19, 20:  AZ State SAR 2008 Conference near Heber.  This is an event packed with educational opportunities, and a chance to get to know members of other SAR units from around the state that we may work with occasionally.

·         April 19:  Payson Business Showcase – We’ll be selling quad tickets at this event – please help out if you can, this is the same weekend that many of us will be attending SAR 2008 in Heber, so we’ll be shorthanded.

·         April 25:  DJ’s Bed and Bath/Dan Good Floors – live remote.  Thanks to DJ’s Diane, she has put together a terrific opportunity for us to get some exposure in the community and sell quad raffle tickets

  Mission Summaries: 

Once again, it was a slow month for SAR activity, but there was one callout.  Thanks to all who responded.  Two callouts went out, but it was basically for the same mission.  The subject was overdue on a trip from Flagstaff to the Phoenix area.  We were called in when Verizon detected his cell phone signal near Mt Ord.  We dispatched various quad and jeep teams into the area.  When DPS Ranger helicopter arrived, we had it narrowed down to 3 roads, with Reno Pass road being the primary focus.  Ranger was able to spot the subjects vehicle down a sharp drop within a few minutes.  Unfortunately, the subject did not survive.  The second callout went out when it was decided it would be most expedient for DPS Ranger to perform the recovery.  DPS Standard Operating Procedure is to have a ground rope rescue team standing by when they are performing a technical operation, and that was our purpose during the second phase of the mission.

Stay safe and stay prepared.

Bill Pitterle – Commander, #500

Fundraising Events
and Raffle Ticket Sales

Here are a few pictures of our booth taken at the Sportsmen's Expo.  We raised $6,616.00 during the three day event.  Again, I want to thank the members of our squad who made it down to work the show.  They put in some long hours and really hustled to sell raffle tickets for our fundraiser. 

Thank you Charlie, Karen, Claudia, Don and Don, Paul, Eddy, Ed, Hal, Kathy, Mary, Frank, Roger and Tammy for all your support. You all have now entered the "Elf Free" zone.

    Attached, is an updated schedule of our fundraising events.  Please note that we are planning some upcoming one-day, parking lot, fundraising events at Safeway and Ace Hardware.  As soon as we confirm dates and times they will be added to this schedule

 Also, we owe a big "Thank You" to Diane Johnson for all the work she has done on setting up the Live Remote Fundraiser at DJs Bed and Bath and Dan Good Flooring on April 25th.   She has done a tremendous amount of work to put this fundraiser together to benefit TRSAR.  She calls us "Heros" for the work we do.  I think that Diane and Dan are also "Heros" for the work they are doing.  Diane has definitely gone above and beyond the call of duty to support our squad and our community.  Just like TRSAR, she is doing her part to help make Rim Country a better place for all of us to live.  I hope you all will plan to attend this event and help support Diane and Dan as well.  

 Greg 521

 Emergency Response Preparedness Show - Church of Jesus Christ of LDS - Ponderosa and Aero - Payson

 12 - April - Saturday     Time  0900 - 1200

 Business Showcase - Mazatzal Casino Gym. - Payson

 19 - April - Saturday      Time 0900 - 1500

 KMOG Live Radio Remote - D J’s Bed and Bath/ Dan Good Floors - Payson

 25 - April - Friday     Time to be determined

Payson Wildlife Fair - Green Valley Park - Payson

 10 - May - Saturday      Time 900 - 1500

 Aero Fair - Payson Airport - Payson

 17 - May - Saturday     Time  (Set up 0600 - 0700)  Show 0730 - 1400

 Pine /Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festivals - Pine AZ

24 - May - Saturday     Time 0800 - 1700
25 - May - Sunday       Time 0800 - 1600

 Pine /Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festivals - Pine AZ

4 - July - Friday     Time 0800 - 1700
5 - July - Saturday      Time 0800 - 1700
6 - July - Sunday     Time 0800 - 1600

 Pine /Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festivals - Pine AZ

30 - August - Saturday     Time 0800 - 1700
31 - August - Sunday       Time 0800 – 1600

Drawing will be held on this day, Aug 31 at the Pine A&C Festival

Don’t forget; the meetings this month are April 8th for the Board and April 10th for the General Meeting.

April 2008 Training & Events Schedule
 

Planned Training Sessions (Coming this Year)

Requested Training Sessions

…                If you would like to volunteer to run a training session, or if you have a training session request contact any Board Member or Don Johnson 

Cool Stuff for the Outdoors-

 A couple of us were talking to Sgt. Terry Hudgens at our last rope training when the subject turned to tents.  Terry said how he had a hammock/tent that he always carried in his truck and took it out to show us.  It is called a "Jungle Hammock" and is only sold direct at a web sight:

www.junglehammock.com.  He said how much he liked it and told us about all the unique features it has to offer. 

 Just think about never having to find a flat spot to pitch you tent.  You can set it up level on the side of a steep hill.  You don't have to worry about clearing rocks, twigs, etc to have a smooth place to sleep.  You are up off the ground so you don't have to worry about sharing your tent with snakes, bugs or other crawling things.  Because it is up off the ground you don't have to worry about pitching it in a drainage or low area that might collect water during a rain storm.  And it comes with a bug net and rain fly to keep the flying bugs and rain out too.  The warm weather version only weighs 2 pounds 13 ounces...now try to find a good back pack tent that has all those features, is comfortable and weights so little.

 The only requirement is that you need two trees about 15 feet apart to support it.  As Terry said, you can also use one tree and a rock face or even a pair of sturdy walking sticks if you know how to tie it out the right way.  Anyway, visit their web sight for a full list of features and benefits.  This is really "Cool Stuff" for a light camping tent. 

 Greg 521 

Guest Article

Dave Pirtle requested we run this article as it's worth printing again. 

TRSAR Mission

RON HAMBY SEARCH

This is as close to the "perfect search" as Gila County has come. We often talk about training, practice and more practice to hone the skill of tracking. We often talk about teamwork. This is it all in action. The following is taken from the debrief reports done by Commander and Master Tracker Jim Martin and Master Tracker Jim Oelerich with their permission since they were there.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2003 the Sheriff's Office was notified that two rider-less horses had returned to the Doll Baby Ranch- West of Payson- minus their saddle and gear. Two weeks earlier the owner of these two horses had camped there overnight at the edge of the wildness boundary where he had spoken to the caretaker of the ranch. Sgt. Terry Hudgens Gila County SAR coordinator and Tonto Rim SAR Commander Jim Martin went to the L-F Ranch further west down the trail to discuss with the operator if she had seen or knew of the whereabouts of the owner of the horses. While she had not seen him, she had heard a commotion the previous week but could not tell where it came from as it echoed off the canyon walls. The two men hiked over to the #34 trail and found two distinct sets of horse tracks, one unshod, going in both directions. Further checking at the Doll Baby confirmed that indeed one of the horses was unshod.

While Commander Martin followed the outgoing tracks down a lesser trail, the L-F Ranch caretaker, Maryann, acting as guide, and Sgt Hudgens, flew with a DPS Ranger Helicopter down a portion of the trail checking water holes and known springs and corrals where horse escape was suspected. Commander Martin followed the trail ¼ mile further where it cut cross-country up hill to rejoin the #34 trail. In tracking west on that trail, he confirmed the subject had indeed rode west and the same tracks covered themselves going back east. ATV and foot personnel were called out to track the trail between the two ranches to eliminate the possibility of the subject becoming unhorsed on either the trail or the FR406 road which connects the two ranches.

 On Wednesday, command was set up and foot searchers were assigned to stage at the L-F Ranch. Commander Martin was assigned to fly in and cut sign along the #34 and #269 trails. At Trailside Tank he confirmed tracks in both directions. He then checked the #269 trail where it crossed the East Verde River and at the lower Wet Bottom Mesa and found no tracks.

On Thursday one team was flown into Childers Seep Spring (last sign). Dave Beckstead and Bill Pitterle tracked the subject to where he got into trouble. Ron Crimmins and Jim Martin were dropped in a half mile lower on the trail and confirmed that he had not been on at least one mile of the #269 trail. It was Thursday before Sgt Hudgens finally found out the subjects' name.

On Friday Bill Pitterle and Jim Oelerich resumed the search from where Pitterle and Beckstead had left off the previous day. Quoting from Jim Oelerich's report, he "was immediately impressed with the work the previous trackers had done. The terrain had a bit of everything. Transition zone flora mainly, the grass was high and thick. In the past week, rain had obliterated the sign. Hoof prints vanished as quickly as they appeared, as though the horses had flown over the area, only once and a while touching down to leave a clue." Forty minutes into the off again on again progress south, the helicopter was heard bringing in the third team. Over the radio was heard that Don Johnson had found the subjects' campsite, just around the bend from where Pitterle and Oelerich were. The subject's gear was spread out on the ground-saddles, backpacks, compass and rifle in a scabbard, tent and tarp all rolled up, a western coat and more personal stuff was trampled into the ground This was all photographed. Then fearing for the subjects life, the trackers moved on, finding an old marijuana growers camp with no sign of the subject. Finding a questionable track in a dried mud pool, Pirtle called to Oelerich to come check it out. So deteriorated was this track that it was barely recognizable. They circled that sign and proceeded down the Mesa following a difficult trail, putting the puzzle together a clue at a time. Still they were not sure if the subject was moving south. Needing to confirm their suspicions, the men worked better stronger together than apart, because one would see what another hadn't. Each time when they thought they had the direction figured out, the clues would vanish. They found what they thought were heal prints, very soft outlines. They saw disturbed stones, disturbed soil, etc, but so confounding was the sign that more then once they wondered if they were tracking a large deer. Remember this sign could have been up to two weeks old and prior to a rain storm. When the trackers came to the bottom of the slope, they found two faint but full prints, a left and right boot print along side an ocotillo. These tracks were so unusual as the subject walked splay footed.

They now knew two things about the subject for certain-he was off the Mesa and that he had a manner of walking as unique as a fingerprint. However, his tracks created a fly in the ointment. Whenever he walked it always looked like he was going off trail. Martin and Crimmons were south of Oelerich and Pirtle, and were able to track backwards up to them over terrain black with patina and almost volcanic in nature. They described it as finding onyx on asphalt! The men were convinced that the subject was headed toward the Verde River and had only a few more miles to go to prove it.

They contacted the DPS Ranger helo, who landed and moved Pirtle and Crimmons to just north of the river. They found sign once again. Ranger then picked up Martin and Oelerich and immediately a sense of urgency was present in all the men as they knew they were hot on his trail. Well over twenty miles later, in the loose sand of the Verde River, it was obvious the subject had shuffled through. His Charlie Chaplin-like track was so distinct that they didn't need to land to follow it. When the chopper crossed the Verde River, the men left Gila County. They headed into Red Creek, tracking from the helicopter, going deeper and deeper into Yavapai County. It was the easiest tracking of the week. When Ranger thought they had gone far enough, coordinates were taken and calls were made to turn the search over to Yavapai County Search and Rescue.

CONCLUSION: A good one. The subject Ron Hamby was found alive, though very dehydrated less then a mile from where the search was turned over to the Yavapai SAR. His story: He ran out of water, could not find any, hence on and off the trail. The animals balked, so he figured they would have a better chance of survival on their own, so he turned them loose, stowed his gear and moved on alone. His eventual goal was to winter in Yuma in the south west part of this big state. Short term goal-he was confused and dehydrated. We just don't know.

Oelerich's summary is worth repeating: "This is a tracker's dream. Seven years of participation with Tonto Rim SAR and this mission was the most dazzling group effort that I have ever witnessed. The mission tested our abilities as searchers and we worked flawlessly as a team. Everyone performed well, no exceptions. Credit goes to the TRSAR volunteers who were not there because on some level, their contribution and commitment produced the group that was-a few may go, but everyone was there. In addition, from the Sheriff's Department, Sgt Terry Hudgens was his usual meticulous, detail driven self. He organized an excellent search, and he displayed as usual his uncanny ability to produce results, just as he has so many times in the past. We are lucky to have him. This time, we really made him smile! Overall there was no single searcher responsible for the eventual location of Hamby-it was teamwork. However, Beckstead and Pitterle should get the MVP for tracking those horses up and down those canyons. I saw that country; Tough stuff. Dave and Bill were so close to Hamby's camp, a stone's throw, really. It was upon their success that the mission arrived to a satisfactory conclusion. As far as DPS Ranger One: Dave and Ron, the chopper pilots out of Flagstaff were extraordinary. On that last day they let us do our jobs and helped us in every way they could, hauling us here and there. They flew, they landed, they were comedic too. We'd be happy to work with them again! At one point, just at the end, after several late afternoon mid-air spins, I could feel green washing over me. Merry-go-rounds bring on the same. Big beads of sweat! I kidded with them, 'One more circle and we will need air freshener back here'. They laughed but we were already on our way home."

To other SAR members, this is what it is all about: Training, practice, team work, dedication and LEADERSHIP. This was a perfect search with perfect results. What Tonto Rim strives for: --

THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE!
Jane Boyles

Computer Tips, Techniques, Rants, Raves, and Netiquette

Submitted by  Les Hulse

This month, let’s take a look at batteries for digital cameras.

The batteries for your digital camera are probably the most important accessory. The old 35mm camera I used to use could sit around for months without requiring a battery replacement. Today, some digital cameras can burn out the batteries very quickly, possibly within a few hours. Some cameras are well-known for their batteries' longevity, allowing users to snap away with barely a thought to power consumption.

There are essentially two types of batteries for digital cameras: those that use the standard AA-size batteries and those that use a proprietary battery made by the manufacturer. Sometimes these batteries will be rechargeable.

The key points to remember about AA and proprietary batteries are:

Proprietary batteries will be much more expensive than AA batteries, and may be difficult to find in an emergency. The purchase of several backup batteries can be costly and is worth consideration for the camera buyer. However, the proprietary battery is generally lighter and more compact than carrying lots of AAs. In my case, the rechargeable proprietary battery I use normally lasts through a full day of shooting (150+ photos), with the camera left on all the time, and still ready to go the following morning. However when it dies, it goes quickly.

A camera that uses AA batteries will usually ship with disposable alkaline batteries (the same ones we use in GPS units and radio clamshells). Unlike these examples, digital cameras using these batteries will run out of power in a very short time - less than an hour in extreme cases. Alkaline batteries will make an acceptable emergency backup, but it would be better to buy at least one set of rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A rechargeable set of NiMH batteries and charger will offer substantially longer life for less than $50 dollars.

You can also use non-rechargeable Lithium batteries and rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCD) batteries. While lithium batteries last longer than alkaline AA's and are better in cold-weather conditions, their price and non-rechargeable nature make them less useful than rechargeable NiMH batteries. Just make sure that your digital camera (or one you are considering purchasing) is OK with Lithium batteries – some cameras are not. When considering rechargeable batteries, remember that NiCD batteries will retain their charge while unused, unlike NiMH batteries, but will have a shorter life span and will have to be discharged completely before recharging – making them inconvenient for most users.

And now a few closing comments:

The LCD screen on the digital camera consumes power at a rapid rate. If battery life is a concern, use the LCD only when necessary. Don’t bother to check each and every photo after you take it unless you really want to carry a lot of battery weight along with you.

Whenever practical, carry at least one set of backup batteries so that a dead set doesn't leave you powerless. This is particularly true if you plan on being away from power outlets for an extended period of time. If you have the money, three sets of rechargeable batteries are ideal - one for the camera, one carried as backup, and one always being charged.

The rechargeable NiMH batteries will lose their charge even when they are being stored, so be sure to charge them before use, even after relatively brief periods of inactivity.

Alkaline AA batteries have the nasty habit of leaking when left in a camera (or any other piece of equipment) for too long. Do not leave alkaline batteries in your camera for prolonged periods of time.

Question: Do any of you find this section useful?

We can rant and rave about many topics, but do not know if it is appreciated. Also, we will most likely choose topics that “tick us off” and ignore the ones that you may be interested in. We can give you our opinion on just about anything (opinions are cheap).

So let us know if this section is useful, and if you would like us to tear into some topic, just tell us.

Send any comments and/or suggestions to the editor; Mike – address at bottom of newsletter.

Related SAR News

Climber clung for life before 80-foot fall
Mary K. Reinhart, East Valley Tribune
3-19-2008

Emily Decker reached out to grab her boyfriend as he tumbled down the jagged face of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains.

“He was about five feet above me and he slipped passed me. We touched hands,” she said.

“I watched him fall... I keep seeing the image in my head.”

John Wilkinson bounced off a ledge then landed flat on his face in a thicket of brittlebush 80 feet below. He lay still and Decker clung to the cliff face, sobbing, certain that he was dead.

But after a few moments, he started to move. Then, miraculously, the 19-year-old Texan rose to his feet, blood streaming from gashes on his face, arms and chest.

He pulled out a cell phone and called 911, though he doesn’t remember doing it, while Decker, 24, started to faint.

Wilkinson’s call Saturday afternoon alerted the Superstition Search and Rescue team and launched one of the most daring rescue efforts in the volunteer group’s history.

The nearly 12-hour, 400-foot rescue spotlights the often unheralded work of a dedicated team of trained climbers who risk their lives to help strangers, and pay for their own equipment.

“I don’t see how he lived,” said team commander Robert Cooper. “But he was the easy one.”

Cooper and his team set up a command post at the end of the street where Emily Decker’s family lives. They hiked in about a mile and started to work on Wilkinson.

Once he was stabilized and “packaged” in a rescue basket, team member Mike Wallace hooked himself and the basket to a line dangling 175 feet from a Department of Public Safety helicopter and off they flew.

Wilkinson was then air-evaced to Maricopa Medical Center, where he waited for word about Decker. He would have a long wait.

After she saw her boyfriend fall, Decker started to black out. Then her ears started ringing and the world came back into view. Still clinging to the cliff face, she looked up and saw a tiny ledge. Somehow, she managed to scramble up to it.

“I thought I was going to fall, too,” she said. “I closed my eyes, and I was breathing and I was holding on tight.”

The rescue team started up the way as Decker and Wilkinson, but soon realized it was too dangerous, even for them.

A helicopter rescue was ruled out because of Decker’s location and the possibility that, alone, she might panic and be knocked off her perch. The only choice left was a 400-foot descent.

The DPS helicopter returned and dropped Cooper, technical rescue team leader Mike Mello and three others atop the Flatiron. They fashioned a 600-foot rope system and lowered Mello down.

The sun was setting, the wind was picking up and Decker was worried.

“Finally, Mike appeared above my head. It was the best sight I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Mello leaned against her and helped her into a harness, but still had to coax her off the ledge.

“She was a trooper. But she was a young lady who was scared witless at that point,” he said. “She was just hanging on for dear life... and she was mighty thankful.”

Decker wasn’t sure about the rope system, and didn’t know exactly what she was supposed to do. She took a leap of faith.

Rescue personnel help Emily Decker rappel down the Superstitions during a canyon rescue.

“I was so confused. I had to trust him and walk off the ledge,” she said.

The pair rappelled down the 80 feet that Wilkinson had fallen and a profoundly grateful Decker hugged her rescuers. By the time the team hiked out and headed home, it was nearly midnight.

“They saved our lives,” she said, sitting next to Wilkinson in his hospital bed. “They are so amazing. They are the most incredible group of people.”

The Superstition Search and Rescue team is affiliated with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. In the past year, the team has helped nearly 300 people get out of the Superstition Mountains. The roughly 25 members rely on donations and

volunteers.

Wilkinson expects to be released from the hospital in a few days. He suffered a bruised lung and got stitches to close gashes along his right eye and chin. He lost about seven teeth, and his chest and arms are covered with broad scrapes. There are more stitches in his knee and results from an X-ray of his right ankle are pending.

“I can’t believe I’m alive,” he said, his right eye swollen shut and his mouth a mass of red and purple. Decker smooths his hair back.

“At least you know I’m tough,” he says to her.

Decker moved to Arizona a few months ago, and Wilkinson was visiting from his home outside Houston. They readily admit that they made several mistakes and hope their experience will help other hikers.

“We didn’t plan anything. We didn’t tell anyone where we were going. We were just setting up for a day hike. We wanted to go to the top. That was our plan,” Decker said.

“We just had no idea of the danger that we were getting into.”
 

Website

Tonto Rim SAR Members can now have your very own email address through our site. Just contact our Webmaster at jack@jackswebs.com  to arrange for it, no cost to you or us.

Humor me

Everyone has a photographic memory. some just don't have film.

A man boarded an airplane in New Orleans, with a box of crabs.  A female crew member took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator, which she did.

The man firmly advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for the crabs staying frozen, and proceeded to rant and rave about what would happen if she let the crabs thaw out.  

Shortly before landing in New York, she announced over the intercom to the entire cabin, "Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?"

Not one hand went up; so she took them home and ate them herself.

Men never learn.