China Lake Mountain Rescue Group CLMRG

1. China Lake Mountain Rescue Group CLMRG

2. CLMRG The Organization • All-volunteer, non-profit providing search and rescue (SAR) services on an on-call basis at no cost • How we are supported • Group Equipment and Operation Expenses Only: • Private Donations • Combined Federal Campaign • The United Way • Kern County Sheriff’s Dept • NAWS • Team members purchase their own Individual Gear/Equipment: • Equipment • Training (A Lot)

3. CLMRG The Organization • Formed at the request of the Inyo Co. Sheriff and NOTS because China Lake had many experienced mountaineers - Formalized organization in 1958 - Celebrated our 55th Anniversary in 2013 • One of the oldest Mountain Rescue Teams in California - Member of the California Region Mountain Rescue Association - Member of the National Mountain Rescue Association • Specialize in high altitude search & rescue on technical rock in any weather • All responses coordinated w/ the Kern County Sheriff's Dept

4. CLMRG What We Do • Search and Rescue of lost or injured persons, in any season, in the mountains and desert or in any type of wilderness terrain Types of Operations: SEARCH: This is an operation involving one or more missing persons. We are broken into search teams and given field assignments to search for the missing persons. RESCUE: A rescue involves a person who is stranded or injured and needs technical mountaineering help to return to safety. RECOVERY: This involves recovering the remains of deceased victims. This type of operation may begin as a SEARCH or RESCUE.

5. CLMRG What We Do • Provide wilderness safety education to members of our Ridgecrest, CA community Elementary School Wilderness Safety Program - Teaches kids what to do if they get lost in the wilderness….. • Stay in one spot • Carry a whistle to signal • Carry a garbage bag as emergency shelter • Make themselves big • Wear bright clothing

6. CLMRG Summer Mountaineering Course 7 weeks in June - July (Tues/Wed) Topics covered: - Conditioning* / Wilderness Travel - Packs & Equipment - Clothing - Mountain Maladies - Camping & Bivies - Rock Climbing Techniques* - Belaying* / Rappelling* - Navigation* - Basic Safety System - Snow Travel & Climbing - Food & Stoves - Leave No Trace & Access - Mountain Weather - Safety & Leadership - Alpine Rescue - Knots* - Day and Overnight Mountain Trips*

7. CLMRG Random Statistics • Current members = 34 • Years of service per member = 2 mo to > 50 yrs • Cumulative years of service (current members) = 759 yrs • Average # of operations/year = 20+ • Operations in 2015 (thru June) = 3 • Training in 2014 = 4933 hrs and 19710 mi driven • Training in 2015 (thru June) = 2,767 hrs and 11,005 mi

8. CLMRG Member Categories Operational Structure - Roster divided by skill category: • Operational Leaders • Coordinators / Telephoners • Field Members - Technical - Rescue - Support • Special Skills - Doctor/Medical Advisors - Quartermaster - Radio/Communication Equipment Operators - ASTM Representative • Trainees

9. CLMRG Necessary Skills for Field Members Required in all conditions - rain, snow, night, at altitude, etc • General Mountaineering • Navigation (Map and Compass) • Use of Electronic Gear, GPS, Radios, ELT, NVG, etc • Rock Climbing • Stretcher Rigging and Handling • CPR/Standard First Aid • Wilderness First Aid • Search Techniques and Strategies • Tracking • Base Camp Operations • Joint Team Operations

10. CLMRG Minimum Annual Training Req’ts

11. CLMRG Chronology of a Rescue Mt Whitney - East Face (May 2000)

12. CLMRG Chronology of a Rescue Mt Whitney - East Face (May 2000) Day 1 1430 - Climber falls 40 ft on East Face, very serious condition 1900 - Climbing partner arrives at Whitney Store to call for help 2100 - Initial phone call from Kern Co. Sheriff’s Office 2110 - Coordinator and telephoner call down the roster 2145 - Meet at Hut 2215 - Depart Hut 2345 - Arrive Whitney Trailhead 2400 - Head up the trail with group gear and minimal personal gear Day 2 0400 - Winter storm w/high sub-zero winds forced to hunker down (11,000 ft) 0530 - Up and planning 0630 - Moving up the mountain (high winds hamper progress) 1000 - Arrive Trail Camp (12,000 ft) - Wait for helo 1200 - Helo arrives and flies everyone to summit (14,496 ft)

13. CLMRG Chronology of a Rescue Mt Whitney - East Face (May 2000) Day 2 - Continued 1210 - Begin rappeling the 600 ft to victim with medical gear 1220 - Stretcher is taken down to victim 1230 - Begin setting up load and belay anchors every 200 ft for the raising 1300 - Rescuers arrive at victim and provide O2, water, food, warm clothing 1500 - More assets arrive by helo 1800 - Begin raising the victim Day 3 0230 - Victim and attendants reach the summit 0400 - Last rescuer reaches the summit 0700 - Back down the East Face to retrieve gear 0800 - Victim and most rescuers flown to Lone Pine 1000 - All gear cleared & helo returned to the summit 1100 - Last members flown back to Lone Pine 1300 - Debrief, secure, and dinner 1700 - Returned to the Rescue Hut on base - SECURED! ~ 60 Hours

14. CLMRG Interested in Learning More? • Come to a group mtg – next mtg is Monday, Sept 14th • Mtgs held monthly (except Aug) on the 2nd Monday of the month at a member’s home • Visit our website, www.CLMRG.org • Talk with group members • Join group trainings/climbs/hikes -------------- • Meet with CLMRG Qualification committee (New Membership) • Pass Kern County requirements for Special Deputies - Extensive background check to include: • 66 page background questionnaire • Fingerprint check • Interview with Detective • Polygraph - Drug Test - Physical