December 6, 2019

Hiker Assist (Pinnacle Trail, Stowe, VT)

A male hiker lost his footing while descending the Pinnacle Trail, injuring his ankle on the steep section just above the intersection of the main Pinnacle Trail and the Upper Pinnacle Meadows Trail.  He was in considerable pain and unable to bear much weight on the injured leg. He attempted to continue down the Upper Pinnacle Meadows Trail with the assistance of a hiker (nurse) he meet after the injury. The subject was in considerable pain and moving slowly and called 911 for assistance.

SMR interviewed the subject by phone and determined the party was about half way between the main Pinnacle Trail and the Upper Meadows. The subject was instructed to continue down the Upper Pinnacle Meadows Trail with the assistance of the nurse if his injury allowed him to do so.

Stowe Emergency Medical Services and SMR established staging and Incident Command at the Upper Pinnacle Meadows Parking Lot (PL).

Unfortunately, the gate at the Upper Pinnacle Meadows PL was frozen preventing ATV access to the Upper Meadows. A Hasty team of two was deployed tasked with locating, evaluating and stabilizing the patient, followed by a litter team of 5 team members.

A Hasty team of two was deployed tasked with locating, evaluating and stabilizing the patient, followed by a litter team of 5 team members.

The Hasty Team located the subject about 300 M from the Upper Meadows, he was in good condition (well dressed / prepared), with further assistance from the Hasty Team they proceeded to the Upper Meadows.

The litter team arrived and the patient’s injury was further assessed, immobilized and packaged in a litter with a vacuum mattress and sleeping bag.  The litter was dragged/slid down the snow covered Upper Pinnacle Meadows road to the parking area without incident.

The patient was delivered to Stowe Emergency Medical Services for evaluation.

Team Members Responding
Van Dyke, Veliko, Ruschp, Westervelt, Wehse, Raybold, Millick, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding

Stowe EMS

Time of Event
1545 – 1745

Weather Conditions
Light Snow, Calm / 20 deg F

November 29, 2019

Hiker Assist (Hogback Mtn/Pinnacle, Stowe, VT)

A hiker and dog heading for the Pinnacle, inadvertently turned onto the Skyline Trail and stopped when they reached the Worcester Ridge and the trail sign indicating Pinnacle Parking Lot 2.5 miles & Pinnacle Summit 1.3 mile.

Realizing she had overshot her intended target, she started back down. At 1630 she called (her parents called) 911 for assistance, without a headlamp nearing darkness and phone battery nearly depleted.

Stowe Mountain Rescue was summoned to locate and assist the subject who was descending the Skyline Trail toward Hogback Summit.

A SMR hasty team of three located the subject heading towards the Pinnacle about halfway down the ridge between Hogback and Pinnacle at an elevation of 2770 ft.

She was extremely cold and thirsty.  SMR donned the subject with warm/dry clothing, micro spikes, headlamp, provided food and water, then continued the trek to the Pinnacle Meadows parking lot, where the subject was assessed for potential cold exposure injury and released to her family.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Speer, Wehse, Millick

Other Agencies Responding

None

Time of Event
1630 – 1930

Weather Conditions
Overcast, Calm / 20 deg F

November 1, 2019

Local and State Flood Support (Stowe, Northern VT)

SMR deployed to Sterling Valley to help a motorist get access to medical care.  The motorist accidentally drove into a gulley caused by a water culvert blowout.
VT Emergency Management Requested SMR to deploy to E. Birkshire for a stranded subject; While en route, subject was rescued and SMR was re-deployed to Enosburg Falls. Thorughout the day, SMR was tasked with providing intelligence on local conditions and support rescue operations if needed in the Richford, Montgomery Center, E. Birskhire areas of opeation. Finally, SMR was deployed to Cambridge FD to backfill Hartford Team.

Team Members Responding
Wehse, Speer, Eykelhoff, Clymer, Ruschp, Chegwidden

Other Agencies Responding

Stowe Police Dept.

Stowe Fire Dept.

Time of Event
0430-2330

Weather Conditions
Overcast, Calm / 40 deg F

October 18, 2019

Medical Emergency (Moss Glen Falls / Stowe)

SMR responded to a medical emergency for a 52-year old male at Moss Glen Falls.   Stowe Police Department and Stowe Fire Department personnel were on scene and providing first aid when SMR arrived.  SMR continued providing medical care at the scene and then extricated the subject via litter/wheel to Morrisvile Rescue for transport to the hospital.

Team Members Responding
Westervelt, McLean, Wehse, Millick, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding

Stowe Police Dept.

Stowe Fire Dept.

Morrisville EMS

Time of Event
1200-1330

Weather Conditions
Overcast, Calm / 40 deg F

September 22, 2019

Injured Hiker (Pinnacle  Trail / Stowe)

SMR responded to an injured hiker on the Pinnacle Trail, Stowe, about 250meters past the Vista Lookout col.   The hiker experienced a medical emergency causing a fall and striking her head.  Her hiking party called 911 for emergency assistance.  

A single-member hasty team was dispatched immediately to the scene to assess the patient/situation.  A medic and litter/extraction team followed with a medic shortly thereafter.  The subject was conscious and alert but slightly dizzy when the hasty team arrived.  The subject was directed to sit / rest until confident to attempt the hike out.   The SMR team assisted the subject down to an awaiting ATV for transport to ambulance where she was checked out and released to her hiking party.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Speer, Westervelt, Wehse, Chegwidden, Millick, Clymer, Choularton, Raybould

Other Agencies Responding

Stowe EMS

Time of Event
1500-1730

Weather Conditions
Clear, Calm / 70 deg F

September 13, 2019

Stranded Hiker (Cliff  Trail / Mt. Mansfield)

SMR received a report of a female hiker and dog above the gondola, stranded on the Cliff Trail, unable to to negotiation the rocky terrain.  They were unable to reverse direction or proceed down the Cliff Trail.  SMR contacted the subject by cell phone in an attempt to coach her through the decent to the Cliff House, but she was clearly upset & anxious and unable to proceed either back up the trail to the Mansfield Ridge or down to the Cliff House.
A SMR team proceed up the Gondola to access the Cliff Trail and a team proceed up the Toll Road tasked with hiking north on the Long Trail to the top of the Cliff Trail (encase the subject was unable to continue down the Cliff Trail).
The Gondola team reached the subject and was able to escort her and her dog down the Cliff Trail to the Cliff House.  The subject and her dog were brought down the Gondola and delivered to her vehicle.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Speer, Ruschp, Millick, Clymer, Choularton

Other Agencies Responding

None

Time of Event
1700-1900

Weather Conditions
Overcast / 45-55 deg F

September 11, 2019

Injured Mountain Biker (Cady Hill Forest / Stowe)

The team was activated to respond to a report of an injured mountain biker at Cady Hill.  Personnel from Stowe EMS and Stowe Police arrived first and located the subject near the bottom of Florence.  After evaluation by medical personnel it was determined that the subject could walk out

Team Members Responding
Speer, Westervelt, McLean, Millick, Rogers

Other Agencies Responding

Stowe EMS

Stowe Police Dept.

Stowe FD (16K1)

Time of Event
1015 – 1100

Weather Conditions
Overcast / 45-55 deg F

September 9, 2019

Injured Hiker (Camel’s Hump / Long Trail)

Camel’s Hump Back Country Rescue (CHBCR) requested assistance with a male hiker just south on Camel’s Hump Summit with a leg injury.
Huntington Fire Department (HFD) established incident command at the Burrows Trail Parking Lot.  A Hasty Team of comprised of two rescuers from CHBCR were deployed and located the injured subject about 600′ south of the Camel’s Hump Summit.
Additional teams hiked up the Burrows Trail to the Hut Clearing, then traveled south on the Long Trail (LT) to the Summit, bring up the required extrication and medical equipment.  The patients injury was immobilized and he was packaged in a litter and sleeping bag.
The HFD Chief was designated Rescue Team Leader, CHBCR designated Medical Officer and SMR Rope Team Leader.
The evacuation required three rope raise systems to gain the Summit and multiple lowering systems on the LT and Burrows Trail.  The evacuation was completed without incident and the patient was transferred to an ambulance for transportation to the hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Speer, Westervelt, Millick, Raybold, Clymer, Choularton, Chegwidden

Other Agencies Responding

Huntington Fire Dept

Camel’s Hump Back-Country Rescue (CHBR)

Time of Event
1330-2200

Weather Conditions
Overcast / 45-55 deg F

September 4, 2019

Injured Hiker (Camel’s Hump / Long Trail)

A male with significant backpacking experience was section hiking traveling north bound on the Long Trail.  On Sep 3, his left leg was giving him problems so he established a camp just below Camel’s Hump summit, in a small col on the prominent ridge north of Wind Gap.
When he awoke the next morning (9/4), his injury had worsened, he had limited mobility and called 911 for assistance.
The subject was interviewed by Waterbury Back-Country by phone.  Based on this discussion, Waterbury Incident Command activated a multi-agency response to facilitate a litter carry.  SMR, Huntington FD (HFD), Camel’s Hump Back-Country Rescue (CHBR) and Mad River Rescue were activated.
A Hasty Team comprised of two SMR team members and one CHBCR team member accessed Hump Brook Tenting via ATV/UTV, then hiked up the Dean Trail to the junction of the Long Trail just below Wind Gap, then traveled north on the LT toward Camel’s Hump.  HFD was approaching from the Forest City Trail, and the balance of resources were following the Hasty Team’s route.  The Hasty Team located and evaluated the subject and determined he could walk out without the burden of his pack.  The subject was escorted out to Hump Brook Tenting area and transported to the trail head by ATV.

Team Members Responding
Millick, Clymer, Chegwidden

Other Agencies Responding
Waterbury Backcountry

Huntington Fire Dept

Camel’s Hump Back-Country Rescue (CHBR)

Mad River Rescue

Time of Event
0700-1200

Weather Conditions
Torrential Rain / Thunderstorms / 45-55 deg F

August 30, 2019

Injured Mountain Biker (Cady Hill Forest / Stowe)

SMR was dispatched to Cady Hill forest for the report of a male mountain bike rider who had crashed.  The subject was found on the lower half of the Florence Trail, a few hundred yards past the intersection of Zog’s/Sap Bucket..  The 911 call for help was placed by some riders who found him on the side of the trail, in obvious need of help.

Stowe EMS and SMR deployed to the  power substation on Cady Hill Rd.  SMR and Rescue personnel accessed the Cady Hill Trail system with ATV/Boggan by traveling up Cady Hill Rd and then accessing an old logging road that  connects to Zog’s at the top of Snake Trail, which has clear and smooth access to the midpoint of Florence Trail, and then proceeded down Florence to the injured subject.

Stowe EMS evaluated and treated the patient’s injuries.  SMR packaged the subject in a litter/vacuum mattress and the team extricated the subject to an awaiting ambulance near the power substation parking lot without incident.

Team Members Responding
VandDyke, Eykelhoff, Wehse, Rogers, Choularton

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe EMS

Stowe Rescue

Time of Event
1700 – 1830

Weather Conditions
Sunny / Calm / 65 deg F

August 28, 2019

Injured Hiker (Haystack Mountain, Long Trail / Lowell, VT)

Stowe Mountain Rescue responded to a call for Mutual Aid to support an injured hiker on the Long Trail near Lowell,  VT.   The subject was hiking south on the Long Trail just past Haystack Mountain with her two children when she slipped on wet/loose rocks, injuring her ankle.  Hoping for just a tender sprained ankle, the family rested for a few hours hoping the swelling would subside and they could resume their hike.  After a few hours with no improvement, the subject called for help.

SMR arrived on scene (trailhead where Long Trail crosses VT 58) and reported to Incident Command.  The Lowell FD Incident Commander had just released a Hasty Team of six to hike to the patient, assess the injury and report back.   The SMR team proceeded in with a full complement of litter extraction gear (litter, vacuum mattress, wheel, trail rope) shortly thereafter.  The subject was located about 0.5 mile south of the Haystack Summit, about 2.4 miles from the Trail Head.

The Hasty Team evaluated and treated the patient’s injury, and then SMR packaged the patient into the litter for the 2.5 mile carry out.  With tremendous support from various Fire Departments and two Patrollers from Jay Peak, the full contingent extracted the patient back up over Haystack Mountain and down to the trail head.   Due to steep, slippery and windy terrain, the team required multiple rope-belay systems for safety.   A team of Faculty/Students from Sterling College, in the vicinity for a student orientation hike, volunteered to hike back up to meet the team to provide much needed manpower support.

After the roughly 4-hour extraction, the patient was delivered to a Local Ambulance Service for transportation to  the Hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Eykelhoff, Wehse, Millick, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Lowell Fire Dept.

Troy Fire Dept.

Montgomery Center Fire Dept.

Faculty/Students – Sterling College

Time of Event
1100 – 2000

Weather Conditions
Overcast/Rainy / 65 deg F

August 18, 2019

Injured Hiker (Mill Trail, Stowe)

A male subject slipped while hiking along the West Branch of the Little River, just off the Mill Trail in the area of Bingham Falls.  He reportedly, slipped, struck his head and was non-responsive.  His family called 911 for assistance.
SEMS, SPD and SMR responded.  The subject was evaluated by SEMS and packaged in a litter w/a vacuum mattress and evacuated w/a wheeled litter.  One raise system was required to extricate the patient from the riverbank back up to the Mill Trail.  He was evacuated without incident and transferred to SEMS for transport to the hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Westervelt, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, Wehse, Raybould, Charlouton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Police Dept

Stowe Rescue

Time of Event
1415-1530

Weather Conditions
Sunny, Clear / 80 deg F

August 17, 2019

Sick Hiker (Whiteface Shelter /  Long Trail, Morrisville)

An experienced male hiker was section hiking the northern portion of the Long Trail and was on day 2 of a planned 9 day hike.  He spent the night at Whiteface Shelter in the Sterling Range and woke in the morning not feeling well.  He attempted to continue his hike, but due to extreme fatigue and being lightheaded he returned to Whiteface Shelter and called 911 for assistance.
Morrisville FD & Rescue were activated, MFD established Incident Command and requested assistance from SMR.
SMR made cell phone contact with subject, he was instructed to rest, slowly drink fluids, eat some trail snacks and wait for SMR to arrive.  The subject felt he could walk out with assistance and without the burden of his pack.
SMR accessed the Whiteface Trail via the Beaver Meadow trail with ATVs.  Medical and extrication equipment were staged w/two SMR team members at this trail junction.
Two SMR team members hiked up the Whiteface Trail to Whiteface Shelter.  The patient was doing well, still feeling weak and lightheaded, but able to walk.  SMR carried out his pack and slowly assisted the patient down the Whiteface Trail to the Beaver Meadow Trail without incident.  He was then transferred to an ATV and taken down to the Beaver Meadow parking lot and transferred to Morrisville Rescue for evaluation.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Speer, Wehse, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Morrisville Fire and Rescue

Time of Event
1130-1530

Weather Conditions
Sunny, Clear / 80 deg F

August 15, 2019

Injured Hiker (Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge)

Cambridge Fire and Rescue was dispatched to Smuggler’s Notch for a report of a male subject w/a fractured leg.
The subject was reported to be near the large caves/boulders behind the main parking lot / Information Center at the top of Smuggler’s Notch.
CFD established Incident Command and requested assistance from SMR.
The patient was located as described by dispatch, a short walk behind the Information Center.  The subject fell a short distance, fracturing his upper leg, his injury was immobilized and he was carried down to the parking lot in a litter without incident.  He was transferred to Cambridge Ambulance for transportation to Copley Hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, VanDyke, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, McLean, Chegwidden

Other Agencies Responding
Cambridge Fire and Rescue

Time of Event
1630-1830

Weather Conditions
Overcast / 70 deg F

August 11, 2019

Injured Hiker (Worcester Mountain Trail, Worcester)

A female subject was hiking on the Worcester Mountain Trail on Mount Worcester, lost her footing, injuring her ankle.   Worcester FD and Montpelier Ambulance were dispatched.  Worcester FD established Incident Command and requested assistance from several area Fire Departments.
The Montpelier Ambulance crew and ~10 Firefighters from multiple departments reached the patient.  The subject was evaluated and her ankle immobilized by Montpelier Ambulance.  Due to the steep, rocky terrain, the team did not feel comfortable executing the extrication and requested assistance from Waterbury Back-Country Rescue and SMR.  SMR fielded 9 team members and WBCR fielded 2 team members. A complete packaging and extrication kit was brought in by SMR & WBCR.
ATV access was possible from the trail head at ~1,400′ in elevation to where the trail steepened at ~2,000′.  The patient and FD/Ambulance team were located at ~2,800′, about 400′ in elevation below the summit. The patient was packaged with a litter / wheel / vacuum mattress / sleeping bag / Bivvy Sack.  Several rope lowering systems were employed until the steepness subsided.  The patient was evacuated without incident and transferred to Montpelier Ambulance at the trail head.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Westervelt, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, Wehse, Millick, Chegwidden, Choularton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Worcester Fire Dept.

Montpelier Ambulance

Barre Fire Dept.

Waterbury Backcountry Rescue

Time of Event
1630-0030 (Monday morning)

Weather Conditions
Overcast / 70 deg F

August 7, 2019

Injured Hiker (Hell Brook Trail, Cambridge)

A male subject was hiking on the Hell Brook Trail with his wife and daughter.  At approximately 3100′ they lost the trail.  They continued up a steep slab and gully, where the subject lost his footing and fell approximately 100′, sliding, rolling and bouncing, landing in a shallow gully on the Hell Brook Trail.  His wife called 911 for assistance.
Cambridge Fire and Rescue were dispatched and requested assistance from SMR.
The subject’s coordinates were plotted and the party was about 200′ in elevation below the Hell Brook Cutoff.
Cloud cover and thunder storm forecasts prevented any helicopter support and the 200′ in elevation drop below Hell Brook Cutoff prevented egress in that direction, requiring a difficult litter evacuation down the Hell Brook Trail.  The extrication down Hell Brook would only be about 0.8 miles, but would drop about 1300′ in elevation over very steep and difficult terrain.
Additional mutual was requested from Colchester Technical Rescue (CTR), Waterbury Back-Country Rescue (WBCR) and Camel’s Hump Back-Country Rescue (CHBCR).  SMR fielded 12, CTR 4, WBCR 4 & CHBCR 2.
SMR assembled at the trail head, Incident Command (IC) established and a Hasty Team of 3 EMTs deployed with medical equipment.   The required extrication equipment was selected and distributed to team members and the Rescue Team was fielded shortly after the Hasty Team.
Several storm cells were in the area and were closely monitored throughout the mission by IC and the National Weather Service in Burlington.
The Hasty Team located, evaluated and treated / immobilized the injured subject.  The mechanism of injury (~100′ fall), distance to an ambulance (~4 hours), injuries/potential injuries and level of pain prompted the request for a Paramedic from Stowe EMS.
The patient was packaged on his side (least amount of pain) with a vacuum mattress and padding, then secured in the litter.  A litter wheel was applied and the first of many rope lowering systems employed.  The evacuation consisted of multiple (~15) rope lowering systems and litter passing to navigated difficult sections.  The evacuation was completed without incident, the patient transferred to EMS for transport to UVM just as a storm cell hit the Notch.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, VanDyke, Govoni, Speer, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, McLean, Millick, Chegwidden, Warren, Choularton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Cambridge Fire and Rescue (Ambulance)

Camels Hump Backcountry Rescue

Waterbury Backcountry Rescue

Colchester Technical Rescue

Stowe Emergency Management Services

Stowe Police Department

Time of Event
1220 – 1930

Weather Conditions
Cloudy/Threatening

July 27, 2019

Injured Hiker (Long Trail North, Stowe)

A 53-year-old male slipped while hiking on the Long Trail just North of Sterling Pond.  The subject lost his footing on a very slippery slab, caught his right heal and injured his right ankle and lower leg.

The response was a two pronged approach:  A tracked ATV with a Rescue Boggan, litter/wheel, medical equipment and 3 rescuers went to Smuggler’s Notch Resort (Madonna Base) to access Rumrunner for access to the top of the Sterling Lift.
The hasty team went up the Spruce Peak work road w/an ATV and 2 rescuers, a pick up truck followed with 3 additional rescuers.

The hasty team located the injured subject approximately 0.2-0.3 miles north on the Long Trail from Sterling Pond Shelter.  The subject was in considerable discomfort and unable to bare weight on his right leg.  A patient exam identified significant edema and discoloration in his right ankle and lower leg.  He was immobilized w/a SAM splint & vacuum mattress and transported with a litter and wheel 0.3-0.4 miles south on the Long Trail back to the top of the Sterling Lift and the ATV.  The patient was then loaded into the Rescue Boggan and taken back down Rumrunner to Madonna Base.  The patient was then transferred to Cambridge Rescue for Transportation to the hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, VanDyke, Speer, McLean, Wehse, Millick, Clymer, Choularton

Other Agencies Responding
Cambridge Rescue (Ambulance)

Time of Event
1045-1445

Weather Conditions
Sunny, Calm, 90 deg F

July 23, 2019

Injured Hiker (Sunset Ridge Trail, Underhill)

SMR responded to a call for Mutual Aid to support Underhill-Jericho Fire Department extraction of an injured hiker on Sunset Ridge Trail in Underhill. A 50-year-old female fractured her ankle approximately .75 mile from the trailhead, just above the Cantilever Rock Trail. SMR dispatched a team of three to support a wheeled litter evacuation. Teams from Waterbury Back-Country Rescue, Camels Hump Backcountry Rescue, Colcheter Technical Rescue also aided in the evacuation. SMR managed multiple rope-belay segments and supported litter carry operations for the duration of the evacuation. The subject was safely extracted to the Sunset Ridge State Park entrance without incident.

Team Members Responding
Speer, Wehse, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Underhill-Jericho Fire Dept

Camels Hump Backcountry

Waterbury Backcountry

Colchester Technical Rescue

Time of Event
1415 – 1830

Weather Conditions
Sunny, Calm, 95 deg F

July 21, 2019

Injured Swimmer (Bingham Falls)

An 11-year-old swimmer at Bingham Falls fell ~12 feet fracturing his right upper leg and landing in the large pool at the base of the Falls.  Bystanders, including two members of Smuggler’s Notch Ski Patrol, moved the subject from the pool to the rock ledge where the pool drains.
SMR, SPD & SRS personnel stabilized the patient; SRS administered pain medication, traction was applied to his injured leg and the patient was moved into a litter and further immobilized with a vacuum mattress.
A 2:1 mechanical advantage system was employed to move the litter from the base of the Falls to the access trail.  A counter balance raise system was then used to move the patient up the steep access tail, then a standard litter / wheel carry back up to Route 108. The patient was evacuated and delivered to SRS without incident.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Miller, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, Wehse, Choularton

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue

Stowe Police

Stowe Fire

Time of Event
1600 – 1800

Weather Conditions
Partly Overcast, Calm, 95 deg F

July 6, 2019

Injured Mountain Biker (Cady Hill Forest)

A 28-year-old male mountain biker lost control of his bicycle and went over his handle bars, striking a tree on the Florence trail near the Zogs intersection in Cady Hill Forest.
SMR & Stowe EMS staged at the power substation on Cady Hill Road.  SMR used two ATVs  plus a rescue boggan to access the patient via the Cady Hill Connector and Zogs to the intersection of midway-Florence & Zogs.
The patient was located on Florence, ~20 meters before the Zogs intersection.
Patient was assessed and packaged in accordance with EMS protocols.
Evacuation was completed by ATV without incident and patient care transferred to Stowe EMS.

Team Members Responding
Westervelt, Speer, Ruschp, Miller, Millick, Chegwidden, Choularton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue

Time of Event
1020 – 1200

Weather Conditions
Clear, Calm, 75 deg F

June 22, 2019

Injured (Pinnacle Trail)

A party of four was hiking on the main Pinnacle Trail.  The female subject slipped, twisting her left ankle and heard a “snap.”  She was unable to bear weight on the injured leg and the party called 911 for assistance.
The Stowe Mountain Rescue Hasty Team accessed the patient from the Pinnacle Meadows Trail Head and the Litter Team accessed the patient from Farrell Farm Lane.  The patient was located at approximately 1950′ on the Pinnacle trail, just as it steepens before the Pinnacle Meadows trail intersection.
The patient was immobilize with a lower-leg vacuum splint and vacuum mattress.  She was then evacuated with a Stokes Litter and wheel down the Pinnacle Trail to a Stowe Rescue Ambulance waiting at the end of Farrell Farm Lane.  The evacuation was completed without incident.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Westervelt, Miller, Eykelhoff, Wehse, Millick, Charlouton

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue

Time of Event
1340 – 1630

Weather Conditions
Clear, Calm, 75 deg F

June 2, 2019

Lost Hikers (Deer Pond Trail)

Two elderly guests at Trapp Family Lodge became disoriented while on a hike on the resorts ski trails.  The couple called 911 for assistance at 1830 and the call was transferred to SMR.  After obtaining the couples coordinates, it was determined they were located on Deer Pond Trail, just south of Russel Knoll Track.  Multiple efforts were made to direct the couple back to Sugar Road without success.
The weather was deteriorating and the male subject was becoming very fatigued.  At 1930 the team was dispatched to locate and evacuate the couple.
The subjects were quickly located and evacuated by ATV without incident and delivered back to Trapp Family Lodge.  They were both interviewed, examined and determined to be in good condition and released.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Westervelt, Wehse, Millick, Chegwidden, Choularton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
None

Time of Event
1830 – 2045

Weather Conditions
Overcast/Raining, 60 deg F

May 18, 2019

Injured Hikers (Moss Glen Falls)

Two hikers at Moss Glen Falls fell approximately 45′ landing in the bottom of the falls.

The female subject approached the edge of the lower falls, slipped and started to fall into the gorge.  The male subject attempted to grab her and stop her fall, but he also fell into the gorge.  The top 25′ is about 80 degrees slope and the two subjects likely slide most of this distance but the last 20′ is vertical to slightly overhanging resulting in a free fall into the river with a depth of about 8-10 inches, but most likely landing largely on rocks.

Both subjects were found sitting on the edge of river right, conscious and alert, both very cold and slightly hypothermic (water temperature was very cold).

The patients were evaluated by SMR & two Stowe Rescue Squad (SRS) paramedics.  Both patients had their wet clothing removed, dry insulation applied and received medication for pain management.

The male patient sustained a potential head, neck and upper arm injury; he was immobilized with a cervical collar & vacuum mattress (head/neck injury) and a sling and swath (arm).  The male subject was evacuated first via a litter carry through the river and then a quick carry out on the trail to waiting SRS ambulances.

The female subject had multiple lacerations and a dislocated shoulder; she was immobilized in a semi-sitting position in the litter with a vacuum mattress and bulky padding and was evacuated via litter carry through the river and the trail to a SRS ambulance.

Stowe Rescue, Stowe Police and Stowe Fire Department personnel supported the rescue effort.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, McLean, Eykelhoff, Burke, Wehse, Millick, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue Squad

Stowe Police Department

Stowe Fire Department

Time of Event
1030 – 1230

Weather Conditions
Mostly Sunny/Calm, 60 deg F

April 15, 2019

Flood Support – Central VT / Pittsfield

On Feb. 15, Stowe Mountain Rescue was activated by VT FEMA to support potential flood events throughout Central VT.

SMR staged at the VT State Trooper Baracks in Middlesex and then at the VT State Trooper Barracks in Bethel.  At about 1:30 PM, VT FEMA activated SMR to respond to flooding in Pittsfield, VT.  SMR, along with Colchester Technical Rescue, went house-to-house in a flood-ravaged neighborhood cut off by flooding and road wash-outs.  No rescues were required.

SMR was released and returned to station without incident.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Ghovoni, Speer, Eykelhoff, Rogers, Wehse, Raybold, Millick, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Colchester Technical Rescue

Time of Event
0630 – 1800

Weather Conditions
Overcast/Light Rain, Calm, 45 deg F

February 22-24, 2019

Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) Recertification

On Feb. 23-24, Stowe Mountain Rescue traveled to New York’s Adirondack Park for its Mountain Rescue Association reaccreditation exam.

Every five years, the team is required to go through a skills testing process to maintain national certification.

Examiners from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and North Carolina put teams through a series of scenarios to evaluate their competence in high-angle rescue, snow and ice rescue, and lost person searches.

Team Members Responding
Full Team

Other Agencies Responding
NY Rangers

Time of Event
Saturday:  0730-1030

Sunday:  0700-1300

Weather Conditions
Saturday:  Partly Sunny, Calm, 20 deg F

Sunday:  Overcast/Drizzle, Calm, 35 deg F

February 17, 2019

Injured Nordic Skier

A 73-year old woman was skiing at Trapp Family Lodge and fell while descending the Haul Road Bypass, injuring her left upper leg / hip.  She was unable to stand and required extrication.  Personnel from Trapp Family Lodge responded and stabilized the patient until SMR arrival.
SMR and Stowe Rescue staged at the intersection of Luce Hill Road and Haul Road. Two tracked SMR ATVs and a SMR snowmobile were used to move resources to the patient.
The patient was found in a left lateral recumbent position.  Patient examination identified point tenderness in her left upper leg (Femur) / hip.  A SRS Paramedic administered pain medication.  The patient was transferred to a litter and immobilized with a vacuum mattress and padding.  She was evacuated with an ATV without incident and transferred to SRS for transportation to Copley Hospital.

Team Members Responding
Veliko, Westervelt, Speer, Wehse, Raybold, Warren, Charlouton, Clymer

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue

Time of Call
16:00 – 18:00

Weather Conditions
Partly Sunny, Calm, 20 deg F