Found Safe WY - 4 snow mobile riders, Snowy Range Area, Albany County, 22 Dec 2018

[crhedBngr]

We're not allowed to post scanner info, right?

Not on this thread. You need to go to "The Parking Lot", and start a thread down there (or contact our Mods).

Here is "The Parking Lot" link: https://www.websleuths.com/forums/forums/the-parking-lot.35/

 

[MsFacetious]

We won't need a scanner thread, it's almost over! 3 SAR have reached them and are waiting with them until the military helicopter gets there from Cheyenne!!

Pretty sure a Blackhawk is the only realistic option in this environment.

Rocky Mountain Sled Conditions

12/26/18 1:00 pm Quick update....the 4 are in good hands, been in contact with SAR on the ground....awaiting weather/ air support to rescue! be patient, appears we might get a weather window this afternoon.

 

[Hippononymous]

They are so close on foot but I don't think there's time to get them out that way today. I think they would need to pull them out with the helicopter that they are still waiting for approval on.

It sounds like they did have radios but they were just short range ones. Man technology has spoiled us I'd love a live feed right now!

Oh I hope they can do this today...only a few more hours of daylight!!!

 

[crhedBngr]

We won't need a scanner thread, it's almost over! 3 SAR have reached them and are waiting with them until the military helicopter gets there from Cheyenne!!

Pretty sure a Blackhawk is the only realistic option in this environment.

Rocky Mountain Sled Conditions

12/26/18 1:00 pm Quick update....the 4 are in good hands, been in contact with SAR on the ground....awaiting weather/ air support to rescue! be patient, appears we might get a weather window this afternoon.

Great!

 

[MsFacetious]

Oh I hope they can do this today...only a few more hours of daylight!!!

We have OFFICIAL confirmation these are the guys we were looking for.

It's taken SAR 7, SEVEN HOURS to reach them.
Now granted part of that was looking for another way to get in, but still. I think they are spending another night if they don't get a window to fly. I don't think SAR will want to risk all of them spending a night out in a worse environment than the one they've survived for 5 days in.

 

[MsFacetious]

Oh they brought snowshoes for them, I hadn't even thought of that. The helicopter can't reach them where they are at so they have to hike a little to even be reached by helicopter.

So they will work to do that and the Blackhawk will come and be there on standby. So if there is a weather window everything is ready to go and can be done very quickly.

IF all goes perfectly they will be out by dark. The weather has to cooperate.

 

[Hippononymous]

I have to head out soon and will have no way to check in for a few hours. Ack!!! Thank you, MsFecitious for all of your updates!!

 

[MsFacetious]

I have to head out soon and will have no way to check in for a few hours. Ack!!! Thank you, MsFecitious for all of your updates!!

I had to do that yesterday while we were awaiting news and it drove me nuts!
We know they are okay. That's the most important part. They have been okay for 5 days alone and now they have 3 SAR members with them. It only gets better from here. It's just uphill both ways through the snow to get there!

 

[Razz]

Oh they brought snowshoes for them, I hadn't even thought of that. The helicopter can't reach them where they are at so they have to hike a little to even be reached by helicopter.

So they will work to do that and the Blackhawk will come and be there on standby. So if there is a weather window everything is ready to go and can be done very quickly.

IF all goes perfectly they will be out by dark. The weather has to cooperate.

I am trying to visualize their current situation. I don't have any mountain climbing experience or snowmobiling experience so I'm wondering why the helicopter can't hover high above and pick them up in a basket. (Like the Coast Guard?) What would be the reasons they can't do that? Maybe located between narrow gorges? The helicopter might set off an avalanche?
Too high?

 

[PrairieWind]

I am trying to visualize their current situation. I don't have any mountain climbing experience or snowmobiling experience so I'm wondering why the helicopter can't hover high above and pick them up in a basket. (Like the Coast Guard?) What would be the reasons they can't do that? Maybe located between narrow gorges? The helicopter might set off an avalanche?
Too high?

Wind would be my first guess.

 

[Hatfield]

Good news to hear SAR has located them. Prayers for a safe eventual extraction. Great summary of events in this article in the Snowmodbile Club insert down a little bit in the article.

"Update 12/26, 1pm: Searchers have reached the subjects!!"

Not sure if this has been shared.

Four Men Matching Missing South Dakotans' Descriptions Spotted in Wyoming - KDLT

 

[MsFacetious]

I am trying to visualize their current situation. I don't have any mountain climbing experience or snowmobiling experience so I'm wondering why the helicopter can't hover high above and pick them up in a basket. (Like the Coast Guard?) What would be the reasons they can't do that? Maybe located between narrow gorges? The helicopter might set off an avalanche?
Too high?

Between two mountains, too many trees, wind, avalanche, weather, all of the above. I'm confident it isn't too high but all of the others probably apply.

I am visualizing that they drove off a very steep grade they were unaware of into a hole next to a thick grove of trees. So SAR couldn't ride in from above or below. I think they very likely got very lucky that nobody hit a tree. But this could all be my imagination too.

The pictures and videos here will give you some idea, but obviously we don't know until we see where they were.

Rocky Mountain Sled Conditions

 

[Hatfield]

I am trying to visualize their current situation. I don't have any mountain climbing experience or snowmobiling experience so I'm wondering why the helicopter can't hover high above and pick them up in a basket. (Like the Coast Guard?) What would be the reasons they can't do that? Maybe located between narrow gorges? The helicopter might set off an avalanche?
Too high?

JMO
My guess is wind and overcast cloudy skies could be the main issue for attempting a copter flight today.

The link below shows a picture of what the Snowy Range looks like and there are sheer cliffs to one side so I am sure wind comes sweeping down the cliffs and can make flying difficult unless nice calm weather.

Im pretty confident now that they will eventually get them out safely since SAR is with them now and they dropped supplies to them already. They are just waiting to do a safe extraction. Whether it is walking out to other snowmobiles or maybe helicopter tomorrow if weather is good.

Flying in altitude is a finicky thing. Many an airplane has gone down trying to fly in mountain ranges at high altitudes. I think the thin air does not help lift of copters or planes and that may also come into consideration.

The Snowy Range, Medicine Bow-Routt Nat'l Forest - Vedauwoo

 

[cybervampira]

Rocky Mountain Sled Conditions

12/26/18 100 pm Quick update....the 4 are in good hands, been in contact with SAR on the ground....awaiting weather/ air support to rescue! be patient, appears we might get a weather window this afternoon. I will also confirm these are the 4 we were looking for, I know everyone already assumed this, but since personal contact has been made, it is official! Now to get them out! Thanks Brett and Cass

 

[Darling136]

Missing snowmobile riders from South Dakota found safe

 

[mickey2942]

Hopefully they can get out today. Temperatures tonight will drop to zero or below.

Glad that they are found and safe.

Now, do you think that people who get lost and need SAR, should be charged for these services? If they have enough money for snowmobiles, gear, trailers, etc...they should be set up for monthly fees until their rescue is paid for.

 

[MsFacetious]

Glad that they are found and safe.

Now, do you think that people who get lost and need SAR, should be charged for these services? If they have enough money for snowmobiles, gear, trailers, etc...they should be set up for monthly fees until their rescue is paid for.

Actually there is a fee you pay when you register your sleds that pays into SAR. When you go to ride in another state you pay a fee there as well.

I don't think bankrupting people over needing rescue is wise.

I know I personally would struggle to call for help to begin with, not wanting to inconvenience anyone. If I knew I'd have to pay I simply wouldn't call. Just like I don't go to the doctor when I don't have good health insurance. This has been the concern of SAR groups as well.


The cost of search and rescue

Ciocarlan's stance against billing for SAR services echoes the official position of the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Mountain Rescue Association. The idea that people in trouble may not call for help for fear of a bill is the main reason for NASAR opposition, according to Howard Paul, who is on the Board of Directors for NASAR as well as Public Affairs manager for Colorado SAR. "Where do you draw the line on a reasonable action or negligence?" said Paul. "What is reasonable to me may not be reasonable to my neighbor."

 

[MsFacetious]

12/26/18 2:40pm Update. Snowshoes delivered to the 4 individuals, they will have to use them for about a mile. This will get them to the SAR teams. Then still have to get them back to parking lot via sleds/snowcat. Weather not allowing air support.

Rocky Mountain Sled Conditions

 

[mickey2942]

Actually there is a fee you pay when you register your sleds that pays into SAR. When you go to ride in another state you pay a fee there as well.

I don't think bankrupting people over needing rescue is wise.

I know I personally would struggle to call for help to begin with, not wanting to inconvenience anyone. If I knew I'd have to pay I simply wouldn't call. Just like I don't go to the doctor when I don't have good health insurance. This has been the concern of SAR groups as well.


The cost of search and rescue

Ciocarlan's stance against billing for SAR services echoes the official position of the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) and the Mountain Rescue Association. The idea that people in trouble may not call for help for fear of a bill is the main reason for NASAR opposition, according to Howard Paul, who is on the Board of Directors for NASAR as well as Public Affairs manager for Colorado SAR. "Where do you draw the line on a reasonable action or negligence?" said Paul. "What is reasonable to me may not be reasonable to my neighbor."

I actually diagree with many of the points in this article. While this particular situation may not merit charge, I would think that if a person deliberately skiis outside of ski area boundaries, that is clearly marked, and needs to be rescued, that person should be charged.

Same as with people who deliberately go into closed mines and need rescue.

Perhaps there should be some sort of SAR "insurance" policy for people who have ATV, boats, snowmobiles...

That being said, it is unlikely that these folks will need SAR services again. Hopefully.

 

[PrairieWind]

Glad that they are found and safe.

Now, do you think that people who get lost and need SAR, should be charged for these services? If they have enough money for snowmobiles, gear, trailers, etc...they should be set up for monthly fees until their rescue is paid for.

I think being charged for rescue should only occur when people are grossly negligent or breaking the law. I don’t want forest access to be restricted to the wealthy.