Making History with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's First Search and Rescue Team

Making History with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's First Search and Rescue Team

Hello ProRangers and Park People!

            This week PIRO was more than lucky to host Brandon Latham, a Yosemite Search and Rescue technical rescue expert, and Michigan’s Superior High Angle Rescue Professionals (“Superior High Angle Rescue Technicians" just didn't have the best acronym) at the park to form the first ever Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Search and Rescue team.

The first person/ProRanger in the history of the park to be lowered off the cliffs without ice!

If you look closely you can see me being lowed from the top.
I look pretty small in comparison to the size of the cliffs!

The S.H.A.R.P team, run by Bill Thompson of Down Wind Sports joined us for the week long SAR training. They are and will be instrumental to any rescue that happens at PIRO, given their experience with climbing, advanced technical skills, and close proximity to the park. In addition to this, Down Wind Sports hosts The Michigan “Ice Fest.” It’s one of the oldest climbing festivals in the country, where a gathering of ice climbers from all corners of the country, ascend on the U.P. to discover the amazing formations of ice dropping into the largest fresh water lake on the planet, Lake Superior. As more climbers attend the festival, the necessity for a unified SAR team with low and high angle rescue capabilities had become apparent. 

Ranger Latham going over mechanical advantages and mechanisms

In addition to an influx in winter recreation, summer visitation has increased. One area that frequents issues is Miner’s Castle. This delicate sandstone turret stands high above Lake Superior and is restricted to visitors due to it’s dangerous exposure over the lake. Despite the area closure, visitors often climb over the fencing in hopes of getting the perfect Instagram photo.

Ranger Latham and Superintendent Horne at Miner's Castle

A view from the anchor point below Miner's

While on belay, I climbed up Miner's Castle to visualize the system on top and chat with Ranger Latham about the set up.

The rope systems in place to safely rescue and lower a cliffed out visitor.

Chief Hughes, Ranger Paupore, and Sup. Horne feat. me patiently waiting my turn to climb Miner's Castle!

            After an incident involving a visitor becoming cliffed out on Miner’s Castle, PIRO’s SAR coordinator, Ranger Paupore, determined that the best way to create a standard operation procedure was to get in contact with Ranger Latham. From big wall rescues in Yosemite to the soaring heights of McKinley in Denali, Ranger Latham has been using his climbing and technical rescue skills to educate others on high and low angle rescue.

          Throughout the week, Ranger Latham challenged the team with the physics of climbing, operating new gear and systems, and repeated evolutions (scenario based training). Each evolution held new obstacles to problem solve, but with Ranger Latham’s expert instruction and unfazed patience each team member acquired new knowledge.

Communication is incredibly important and must be clear, concise, and should be echoed back for assurance

With litter capabilities, PIRO SAR will be able to raise and lower patients with medical considerations

            By the end of the week we created a rope rescue protocol for Miner’s Castle, learned how to rig for raise and lower, manage a litter, do a line pick off, pass knots on the main line, do patient care as a litter attendant, use new gear, and more. Now, PIRO SAR is trained and ready to rescue cliffed out visitors, fall patients, and climbers. Just as important, was the relationship PIRO formed with S.H.A.R.P. The team collaborated seamlessly and the laughter in between evolutions is an indicator of continuous friendships and hopefully some sweet climbing partners.  

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Search and Rescue 2019