Dog stranded on cliff

A dog named Annie went missing Friday night and the owner located her Saturday afternoon stranded on a icy 50 foot cliff, ten feet from the top. A Stowe Mountain Rescue team member rappelled to the ledge, secured the dog in a makeshift harness, attached a haul line to her and lifted her to the top of the cliff.

The rescuer then completed the rappel to the ground. The dog seemed to be in good condition, happy to be reunited with her owner.

Team Members Responding
Govoni, Reinhardt, Speer, Veliko

Other Agencies Responding
Mt Mansfield Ski Patrol

Time of Call
11:45 – 15:00

Weather Conditions
Cold

Lost teen skiers off Toll Rd

Ski patrol called about two teen girls who were reported lost off Toll Rd. They were unable to navigate the terrain and requesting rescue. They were instructed to loosen their ski boots and do stationary exercises to stay warm while waiting for rescue.

Rescuers attempted to reach them via Toll Rd, but the difficult terrain necessitated a longer, less direct approach from the Toll Road. They were located and found to be in good condition, provided with headlamps and assisted back to the Toll Road without incident.

Team Members Responding
Couper, Govoni, McClean, Miller, Palmer, Reinhardt, VanDyke, Veliko

Other Agencies Responding
Mt Mansfield Ski Patrol
Department of Public Safety

Time of Call
16:15 – 20:15

Weather Conditions
Cold

Injured skier

A skier descending “Angel Food” above Smuggler’s Notch struck a tree, injuring both lower legs. Ski patrol called Stowe Mountain Rescue to evacuate him. He was about 1,000 feet from the Notch Road. The team members were shuttled up the notch road by ski patrol. Both legs were immobilized with splints and he was packaged in a litter. Several low angle rope lowers were required to reach the Notch Road.

Team Members Responding
Couper, Eykelhoff, Ruschp, Veliko, Westervelt

Other Agencies Responding
Mt Mansfield Ski Patrol

Time of Call
11:45 – 15:00

Weather Conditions
Clear, beautiful

Lost hikers in endurance race

An endurance hike sponsored by the Endurance Society took place Saturday through Sunday over 50 miles along the Long Trail with no extended breaks for sleeping. On Sunday morning, three hikers became separated from the group between Puffer & Taylor Lodges. The event sponsors called 911 to inform authorities of the issue.

The man traveling alone, arrived at Taylor Lodge without incident. The two participants that were still separated were reporting difficulties. The man was in good condition, but the woman was extremely fatigued and was low on water and cold. Due to the weather conditions (high winds, driving rain, poor visibility and mountain temperatures in the 30’s) and the two separated hikers, the event was terminated early at Taylor Lodge. Participants able to assist with the missing hikers stayed at Taylor Lodge and the balance of participates self evacuated down the Lake Mansfield trail to awaiting support vehicles. Also staged at Taylor Lodge were “fresh” event support personnel.

The woman was reported to be non-cooperative, argumentative and disorientated. Due to concerns that she was developing moderate hypothermia and could require a litter evacuation, a litter team was deployed from Stowe Mountain Rescue. Additional resources from Vermont State Police, Colchester Technical Rescue and Waterbury Backcountry Rescue were requested to support a potential litter carry.

The woman arrived at Taylor Lodge around 4:00 pm. She was cold and exhausted, but was walking on her own. She given a medical examination and was given warm liquids, additional dry layers. She was then slowly walked to the trailhead by the rescuers. She experienced difficulties during the hike out, saying that she was disoriented and complained of hallucinations, but she did not require a litter evacuation. She was then transferred to the care of Stowe Rescue and transported to Copley Hospital.

Team Members Responding
Eykelhoff, Govoni, Miller, Reinhardt, Rogers, Ruschp, Speer, Veliko, Westervelt

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue, Stowe Police, Vermont State Police, Colchester Technical Rescue, Waterbury Backcountry Rescue

Time of Call
10:00 – 18:30

Weather Conditions
Driving rain, high winds, temps in 30’s

Snowmobile accident in Cottonbrook

Two snowmobilers were reported as injured in an accident approximately four miles up Cottonbrook Road. The initial report was that one was unconscious and the other had a leg injury. DHART helicopter medical evacuation was called. Stowe Rescue sent two first responders up with the tour company.

The patient with the head injury was found to be conscious, alert and oriented. Both patients were evacuated by Stowe Mountain Rescue via snowmobile and rescue toboggan. Both patients were transported by ambulance and DHART was cancelled.

Team Members Responding
Eykelhoff, Govoni, Reinhardt, Ruschp, Speer, Van Dyke, Westervelt

Other Agencies Responding
Stowe Rescue, Stowe Police, Vermont State Police

Time of Call
14:30 – 16:30

Weather Conditions
Cold