*** El Paso SAR Missions for May 1995 ***

Date sent:        Sun, 4 Jun 1995 20:32:37 -0400
From:             Rlee01@aol.com
To:               sarinfo@mindlink.bc.ca
Subject:          El Paso County May Missions

The following is a synopsis of missions by El Paso County Search & Rescue
(Colorado Springs, CO) during May, 1995.

May 5 & 6 - QUEENS CANYON IN THE RAMPART RANGE. Two males, ages 30 and 16
reportedly went hiking in this area north of Garden of the Gods park. Canyon
is narrow and walls consist of steep scree slopes and vertical rock walls. A
small stream courses the narrow bottom. Several stream crossings and a
waterfall area must be navigated to go up-canyon. One subject had expressed
interest in exploring an old mine. After two days of searching this confined
canyon, the search was terminated. Several discrepancies in the stories of
the older man's wife and that of the 16 year old's mother lowered confidence
in the accuracy of the report. Two weeks later, the 30 year old stopped by
the car wash where he and the 16 year old worked to pick up their pay checks.
(33 EPCSAR members and one CAP aircraft participated. Total man-hours: 567)

May 6 - OVERDUE SKIER - PIKES PEAK - This subject had planned to ski out to
the town of Green Mountain Falls along US Highway 24 West of Colorado Springs
(an unlikely feat considering the terrain above Green Mountain Falls is rock
face). Skier was located on the Pikes Peak Highway and found to have broken
into the Glen Cove store which was closed for the winter. The Pikes Peak
Patrol handled the legal issues.

May 8 - STRANDED HIKERS NEAR EAGLE LAKE CAMP (a.k.a. Palmer Reservoir) in the
Rampart Range. Subjects called for help on their portable cell phone. Heavy
cloud cover and light snow caused them to become disoriented and requested
help. Party had hiked from the "Navigators", a Christian retreat near Garden
of the Gods park, up to the top of Queens Canyon then ventured east onto a
nearby hilltop. The time and distance required was grossly underestimated and
the party was caught in deteriorating weather as night fell. The party was
told to remain in their present location. No further contact by cell phone
was made and it was assumed the battery died. EPCSAR team drove to Eagle Lake
Camp and headed toward the area of last report. The reported location turned
out to be accurate and the party was found quickly and given a ride home. (18
EPCSAR members participated).

May 10 - OVERDUE HIKER-ELK PARK KNOLL, NORTH SIDE PIKES PEAK. Hiking Elk Park
Knoll Trail between Elk Park and Barr Trail. Subject walked out safely. (5
EPCSAR participated).

May 14 - INJURED EXTREME SKIER AT GLEN COVE, PIKES PEAK. Skier lost balance
on extreme slope below Devil's Playground and suffered head injury. (16
EPCSAR members participated).

May 16 - STRANDED CAVER-OFF BARR TRAIL-PIKES PEAK. Caver stranded by
flooding. Subject extricated himself while SAR resources were being mustered.
(Incident handled by 2 members of EPCSAR overhead team)

May 17 - OVERDUE HIKERS-BARR TRAIL ON EAST FACE OF PIKES PEAK. Barr Camp (a
year round manned camp located about halfway between trail head in Manitou
Springs and the summit) reported the hikers had stopped there and left their
belongings while climbing to the summit and had failed to return. (note: A
commercial tourist facility called "Summit House" is located on top and was
stilled closed for the winter due to heavy late season snows.) The hikers
broke into the summit house and were returned by the Pikes Peak Highway
Rangers. (Incident handled by 2 members of EPCSAR overhead team).

May 18 - STRANDED SUMMIT HOUSE WORKERS-Heavy winds and snow caused power
outage. Workers unable to get to emergency power due to storm and drifts.
EPCSAR notified and mustered help by way of Pikes Peak Highway snowplows.
Workers evacuated by plow. (Incident handled by 1 EPCSAR mission
coordinator.)

May 20 - MISSING CAMPER-WAGON TONGUE CAMPGROUND- Two male subjects camping.
One walked away. The other became concerned...went looking for him with no
success. Reported him missing. Subject returned to camp. Missing subject was
later found to be wanted by police and was picked up by the Sheriff's
deputies.

May 21 - INJURED TEENAGER-PIKES PEAK. 16 year-old male was playing "paint
ball" when injured. Subject was brought to Barr Camp along the Fred Barr
trail and Search and Rescue notified. Subject was evacuated by SAR team using
stokes and wheel along Barr Trail. (note: type of injury unknown at this
writing). (20 EPCSAR team members participated)

May 23 - OVERDUE HIKER FROM GEORGIA. Wife reported hiker overdue.
Investigation found him staying at Barr Camp. It seems he decided to extend
his stay at Barr Camp without notifying his wife. (Incident handled by 1
EPCSAR mission coordinator).

May 29 - EVACUATION OF FLOOD AREA- Heavy rains coupled with several weeks of
wet weather had swollen streams and reservoirs. A small earthen dam built in
the 1940's was in danger of failing. Located in rural prairie area of eastern
El Paso County. Sheriff's office issued voluntary evacuation order. EPCSAR
team members traveled throughout area notifying residents. Portions of the J.
D. Johnson Dam failed two days later in another storm. No extensive damage
reported to homes. (32 EPCSAR members participated).

May 31 - FAMILY STRANDED BY FLOODING.  Family stranded at Turkey Creek Lodge
south of Colorado Springs due to washed out canyon road. Elderly residents
threatening to walk out in storm, although their present location deemed
safe. Mission coordinator urged them to remain where they are and wait out
the storm. Family waited out the storm and walked out the next day.

May 31 - ARMY SOLDIERS STRANDED IN DEEP SNOW, OVERCOME NEAR SUMMIT OF PIKES
PEAK.  36 U. S. Army soldiers from Ft. Carson near Colorado Springs attempted
to hike to top of Pikes Peak. All but six turned back when snow depth and
avalanche conditions became a factor. The other six continued and deviated
from normal course, became hypothermic and disoriented. Called for help by
radio. EPCSAR team drove to summit and descending to their location. All 6
soldiers were soaking wet in cotton clothing. Team members shared their spare
clothing from packs and radioed for additional dry clothing, bivie sacks and
sleeping bags from additional SAR personnel standing by on the summit.
Subjects were treated and kept warm during the night and evacuated the next
morning about three miles to a pre-designated landing zone. A Chinook
helicopter from Ft. Carson airlifted victims and SAR personnel from landing
zone.

Submitted by Ron Lee, El Paso County Search & Rescue (EPCSAR),
Colorado Springs, CO (ron.lee@symbios.com)

		----------------------------------