North Shore Rescue

North Shore Credit Union

2009-07-10T10:10:00.001-07:00

North Shore Credit Union raises $45,000 for North Shore Rescue -

https://www.nscu.com/AboutUs/MediaCentre/2009PressReleases/062509.jsp

Thank you NSCU!!

Some more photos on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/northshorerescue

Body Recovered from Capilano River

2009-07-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

News 1130 Story
http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?content=20090706_115840_8092

Search for Jodi Henrickson

2009-07-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

Search continues for Jodi Henrickson -

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/49748142.html

Mutual Aid to Coquitlam

2009-07-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Posting this one a bit late...its been a busy week.

June 28 2009 NSR HFRS Team Busy Again

A 3 man NSR HFRS Team responded in Talon Helicopters to provide mutual aid assistance to Coquitlam SAR and Coquitlam Fire Rescue for an injured ATV rider near Burke Mountain. Coquitlam SAR and Fire personnel accessed the subject on a steep section of the powerline trail, treated him for his injuries before moving him away from the power lines so as to allow 2 members of the NSR HFRS team to be safely inserted and the subject extracted via long lone rescue. The subject was turned over to BCAS Paramedics. Great Call and Coordination!!!!

Posted on behalf of Tim Jones.

North Shore Credit Union Golf Tournament

2009-06-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Friday we had our annual North Shore Credit Union Golf Tournament - which is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and essential to the operations of North Shore Rescue.

We will be posting photos soon, but I wanted to announce that we raised a record breaking $45,000 this year - $10,000 more than last year!

A HUGE thank you to North Shore Credit Union for organizing, and another HUGE thank you to all sponsors and attendees. NSR would not be able to operate without the generous support of NSCU and all of the sponsors. I cannot emphasize how important this fundraiser is to us and the community of the North Shore. The subjects that we rescue owe NSCU in part as well, as this fundraiser helps pay for a lot of training and equipment.

There were some great auction items this year including helicopter flights, guided hiking tours and dinner at our cabin.

We also set-up a highline across a water hazard and had some fun dunking people in the pond.

It was a great day, and thank you to all who attended!

There are a few photos up on our FlickR account - http://www.flickr.com/photos/northshorerescue/

Saturday Tasks

2009-06-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning we were paged out for a 14 year old male who had a fractured ankle near Granite Falls up Indian Arm.

The HFRS team was scrambled and NSR was on scene quickly via Talon Helicopters. BC Parks was also on scene as they were already in the area.

The subject received first aid from BC Parks, and was then extricated via HFRS and flown back to our Bone Creek SAR Station where he was handed over to BCAS.

Shortly after we were notified of an another rescue on Cypress. NSR flew to Cypress and quickly picked up the injured hiker/snowboarder and handed him over the BCAS at the Cypress Parking lot. The photos are from the first rescue up Indian Arm (Photo Credit Rob Wilson).

New Members

2009-06-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

NSR held our AGM last night and elected a new Executive. After being on the Executive for 5 years I decided to take a break and Roz has taken my place. Good luck to the new Executive in 2008/2009, its been a pleasure serving with you!

Congratulations to our new members Roz and Connie. Both putting in huge amounts of extra training to pass the MIT exam. They were presented with the coveted NSR Jacket - a well deserved reward.

Left: Tim and Roz

Below: Tim, Connie and Mike L.

Controversy Heats Up Over Insurance

2009-06-18T15:22:00.001-07:00

SAR teams across BC are getting into the discussion around insurance and liability concerns.

North Shore Rescue will continue to provide SAR Service. NSR is covered by a third party insurance company. This has been extensively looked at, and discussed, and NSR and its members are covered.

However, some rescue teams may not be as they do not carry 3rd party insurance. A number of teams met Wednesday evening to discuss these issues.

Article from Pique New Magazine.

Golden SAR Suspending Services

2009-06-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Based on a recent lawsuit against Golden SAR - they have decided to suspend services.

For more info - Victoria New Story.

BC Local News Story - NSR reaction on lawsuit.

Search for Daniel Hughes

2009-06-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon we were paged out to search for Daniel Hughes who has been missing for about a week.

His bike was found just off of Hill Dr. at the base of Mt. Seymour chained to a tree.

We did a hasty search of the trails around the area and then switched to a grid search.
Saturday the search was continued, however, we unfortunately were unable to find any clues as to his whereabouts. The area is massive, and it is like looking for a needle in a haystack, hence the search was shut down Saturday night.

PDF of information and picture for Daniel Hughes - DanielHughesPoster.pdf.

CBC News story with picture of Daniel. If you see him please phone 911.

MIT Exam

2009-06-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we completed our Members in Training (MIT) exam on Seymour.

The 3 MIT's had to complete a number of stations demonstrating their proficiency in a number of areas including -

Rappelling
Ascending a rope using prussiks
Anchor selection and creation
Knots
Stretcher Rigging
Rope Rescue 3 to 1 system
Tandem Prussik belay
Avalanche Beacon Search
First Aid/Hypothermia Treatment
Shelter Building
Map and Compass and GPS skills

The exam went well, and congratulations to our MIT's for completing the exam!

If you are interested in joining NSR - now is the time to apply! We are holding interviews over the summer.

Explore Magazine Article

2009-05-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Explore Magazine just came out with an article on NSR - I have scanned it and you can read it in PDF format here -

Explore Mag.

Or you could also go and buy a copy ;-).

Incorrect Maps - International Travel Maps

2009-05-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

I received this email a few days ago -

Here’s a detail of a map published by INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MAPS called Vancouver’s Northshore Hiking Trails.It indicates a creek crossing which I don’t believe exists,shows the Lynn Loop trail as a mountain bike trail(annoying to hikers and bikers alike)and the trail to Coliseum Mt.going not to the peak but into the Seymour valley!I read of a recent rescue in Lynn Headwaters and couldn’t help but wonder if those people were using this map,sold at Lynn Valley and Westview Safeway and who knows where else.I wonder too how many other errors there may be on this and other maps produced by that company.
Sincerely;
Keith Slade

Thank you Keith - we took a look at the map and you are correct - its incorrect. Doug, one of our members, will email the publishers of the map to advise them that the map has several errors.

The "Mule" Legger

2009-05-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

In honour of Hannes Mullegger, NSR renamed our NS 5 4x4 Blazer from "Alice" to "The 'Mule' Legger. NS 5 is a long standing and multi-use NSR vehicle that was donated by BC Hyrdro, Hydrecs a number of years ago.

Tragic Lynn Creek Call on Sunday

2009-05-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

May 17 , 2009

Tim Jones submission:

North Shore Rescue was called out by North Vancouver RCMP and District Fire Rescue for a six year old male who fell into Lynn Creek near the Ranger's Station in Lynn Headwaters Park. In liaison with North Vancouver District Fire Command, NSR quickly scrambled Talon Helicopters, our Kayak Team and Helicopter Flight Rescue System (HFRS) Team. A four man recon team departed from NSR SAR Station Bone Creek in Talon's ASTAR350B2 for a river recon.

On the first low pass just south of Point Last Scene the child was spotted in relatively shallow water.Talon Pilot Kelsey Wheeler maneuvered the ASTAR down to the water surface mid stream and HFRS member in drysuit Dave Sulina jumped out and quickly retrieved the child who was in cardiac arrest passing him to Kayak Team Leader Jim Loree.

The child was brought back to Bone Creek where NSR/BCAS ALS paramedics Tim Jones and Dave Sulina with the help of NSR members, Metro Vancouver and BC Parks staff quickly intubated, administered IV meds, preformed CPR and packaged in the child in blankets and clamshell with spinal precautions.

Given the situation Jones, Sulina and pilot Wheeler made the decision in the child's best of interest, to load the child on the same Talon helicopter and direct transport to Children's Hospital Trauma Unit as this was a hypothermic arrest.

Everyone involved did an absolutely fantastic job under very stressful circumstances and should be proud of themselves.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of this young boy.

News story -

North Shore Outlook

Cypress Bowl Sunday Rescue

2009-05-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

North Shore Rescue was requested by West Vancouver Police to respond to Cypress Bowl Resorts for a stranded hiker in the downhill ski area May 10 shortly at 1800 hours.

The 22 year old male had been hiking with friends in the afternoon when he broke through the snow where it was undermined by flowing water beneath. He slid around 20 meters before stopping himself by grabbing for a tree. His minor injuries were compounded by his lack of appropriate footwear as the scare he had left him shaken to the point of not wanting to go further on his own.

He became mildly hypothermic due to wet jeans and running shoes. The fact he was wearing a dress shirt and had no jacket, hat or mitts, along with the fact he remained lying on the snow led to his muscles seizing up to the point he reported to the rescuer on scene he thought he had broken both his arms and legs.

After he was assessed for his "injuries" he was convinced to stand up and walk out with assistance...which he did. He was roped to avoid a further slide and was ferried by snowmobile from a high point by the staff at Cypress Mountain.

Thanks very much to Cypress Resorts. The attached picture shows the subject being escorted out on a short leash, followed by 2 man NSR Hasty Team and his friend who helped lead to them to his friend.

Coquitlam Mutual Aid on Saturday

2009-05-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

North Shore Rescue (NSR) Helicopter Flight Rescue System (HFRS) Mutual Aid Assist to Coquitlam SAR May 9 2009

NSR was called by Coquitlam SAR for an HFRS mutual aid assist in response to a 52 year old male hiker who suffered a cardiac arrest on a steep trail near Bunzten Lake. NSR HFRS Coordinator, HFRS rescuers and a HFRS Spotter responded with Talon Helicopters.

After making contact with Sasmat Fire Crew who were on scene with the subject, the decision was made to insert an NSR Advanced Life Support Paramedic into a hole in tall timber near the site via 200 ft long line, radio controlled with tag line and rappel lines for safety, along with cardiac monitoring equipment.

Shortly thereafter,the subject was assessed to have had CPR in excess of 1 and 1/2 hours without return of circulation. The decision to discontinue resuscitation was approved by the Coquitlam SAR Doctor after a complete and careful assesment by the NSR ALS Paramedic.

North Shore Rescue wishes to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this deceased hiker.

Posted on behalf of Tim Jones

Duck Race

2009-05-05T10:58:00.001-07:00

The Rotary Clubs of the North Shore organized another successful modified "Duck Race" at West Vancouver's Ambleside Beach. Talon Helicopter's owner Peter Murray donated an aircraft, pilot and ground crew to drop thousands of small yellow ducks into a boomed off section of Ambleside Beach. NSR Kayak Team members Keith Klapstein and Dale Wiedman use their expertise in safely making sure all the ducks empty from the net. Talon pilot Derek Riendeau hovered patiently while in radio contact from the beach with NSR ground controllers. A special thanks to Burrard Clean for their spill boom and landing craft. This the allowed retrieving dogs to fetch the winning ducks!!!!

Posted on behalf of Tim Jones

Training and Seymour Search

2009-04-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

We started off last night with training, equipment maintenance, and reviewing some video of Hannes' accident site. I will leave this for another discussion as there were some interesting points about the type of snowpack that is present this year.

Nearing the end of training we received a call from a missing backcountry snowboarder on Seymour who was lost. Due to the events of last week you could see our motivation was a little lacking, however, rescues don't take a break unfortunately.

We headed up Seymour at about 9pm and started hiking/snowshoeing down Suicide Gully where we believed the subject to be. As we descended the gully we set off parachute flares, and talked to Gord (the subject) on the phone. He informed us he could see the flares so we knew we were closing in.

The gully had large holes and undercut snow increasing the danger of breaking through a snowbridge and falling into the creek - careful travel was required. As well, we had a few parachute flare malfunctions, one of them burning a hole in Greg W.'s glove as it burned without launching and another one melting my glove as it launched - reminding us to always wear gloves when launching flares.

We found his tracks and began following them down the gulley. The tracks kept leading up the side of the gulley and back down, dramatically increasing distance travelled and elevation gain and loss - it was a bit of stairmaster hike.

At one point Gord ascended the snow slope and his tracks dissapeared into some cliff bands. We opted to drop down and around and luckily gained voice contact with him and were able to access him via a steep snow slope.

We found Gord (aka Gord the Mountain Goat) at about 2:30am, he was unijured but cold as he was wearing only shorts and t-shirt and it was close to zero degrees. Greg and Mike G. provided some warmer clothes, food and water and then helped Gord down the steep snow slope and back onto our up track.

We started the hike out, and got back to the parking lot at about 4:30am.

EDIT: Note from Tim Jones

Just as we were debriefing a second time on Johannes's tragic accident our SAR MGRs pagers went off . I took the call from the RCMP and found out we had a potential Suicide Gully task for a lost snowboarder. Everyone in the room looked at each other but we immediately were back in the saddle again. It was a long drawn out affair as you will see reading John's Blog but to me is was sign that our team is coping very well with the loss of our teammate and is doing what we do just as well.

A very proud moment to be a Member and Team Leader of North Shore Rescue

Tim Jones
Team Leader
North Shore Rescue

Tragic Loss of NSR Team Member Johannes "Hannes" Mullegger

2009-04-26T19:14:00.001-07:00

Message and Information Brief from NSR Team Leader Tim Jones

In consultation with Johannes' close friend and Team Mate Barry Mason and fellow trip members and fellow ski mountaineers Chris Tarling and Dominik Stoll, I have gathered together an information brief. I would like to thank Doug Pope and John Blown for their technical assistance in helping put this brief together.

Hannes on a search.

Message From Tim Jones NSR Team Leader

Firstly, on behalf of all the members of North Shore Rescue I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Johanne's family back in Austria, his long time companion Anne-Marie Baribeau and all his close friends who recreated and worked with him. We all share your sadness and grief at the loss of "Hannes".

I would like to respectfully take the opportunity to make some very short comments.

This issue of whether Chris, Dominik and Johannes should have been roped up was their decision based on their extensive ski mountaineering background and what they and only they experienced on April 23. This is a democracy and everyone is entitled to their respectful opinions and that is where it should be left.

I am so totally impressed with the character and deportment that Chris and Dominik displayed in dealing with the accident under these conditions. I would take these two fine young men on our Team in a heart beat.

The Canadian Forces (CF) SAR TECHs, pilots and air crew of 442 Squadron based in Comox were absolutely outstanding professionals in their response to not only an area of remote complex mountainous terrain at 8000 feet but in accessing, treating and evacuating Johannes along with Chris and Dominik from the crevasse in darkness.

I also want to thank the CF Air Controllers at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Victoria, the BCAS Dispatchers in Vancouver and Victoria and Airevac paramedic and fellow team member Dave Sulina with whom I was liaising with all night and who kept me informed constantly of the situation. I would also like to thank Brad Sills from Whistler SAR and fellow BCAS Paramedic Bruce Brink who went on standby to assist the rescue effort if the Canadian Forces needed any further resources.

To my Team Mates. The deportment and strength of character displayed by all of you when I put the Team on standby was both expected and observed and for that I along with my fellow SAR MGRS want to express our deep appreciation.

Lastly, to Hannes. It was privilege and honour to have been your Team Mate.

Pic: Hannes hauling injured boy scout in Cascade Stretcher to awaiting helicopter.

Information Brief

Official NSR Team Picture and Service Biography of Johannes " Hannes" Mullegger

Johannes " Hannes" Mullegger aged 36 years was just finishing off his two year member in training (MIT) program with North Shore Rescue. Hannes was an intelligent, quiet, superfit and skilled mountaineer. He was involved in recent SAR operations in which his ski mountaineering and "mule" strength became a recognized and relied upon asset.Hannes participated in all training activities of NSR from rope rescue, avalanche response and helicopter rescue. He also took on any of the mundane eye glazing equipment maintenance chores he was given without complaint. Hannes was effectively starting to understand the bigger picture of what a SAR Task entailed and that was a big step we saw in him on his journey to becoming a Rescue Leader.

Left: Johannes with Team Mates at recent Avalanche Safety Course

General Incident Briefing Conducted with Chris Tarling and Dominik Stoll at the NSR Debrief April 24th

The planned trip was a ski traverse of the Compton Neve through the Manattee Range to Meager Creek. Participants were three experienced ski mountaineers Dominik Stoll, Chris Tarling and Johannes Muellegger who have done many trips together previously. They were well prepared and well equipped for a trip of this nature. They flew in to the top of the Toba glacier on Thursday morning from Pemberton airfield where they cached a further 2 days food at the drop-off point and set off for a 3 day return trip towards Mount Gilbert around 11am.

They skied roped up through the minor icefall on the glacier, contoured around the ridge to join it at a small col near (92K/16 205282) and continued along the ridge to peak 8827 at (92K/16 171279).

They arrived on the summit in perfect weather conditions shortly after 6pm. From this point they took their skins off, unroped and were making a long downhill traverse contouring around a minor peak (8653) to reach a wide col suitable for camping at 92K/16 145303.

At one point during the traverse below peak 8653 they were contouring above visible crevasses when the accident occurred at about 6:30-7pm (92K/16 159288). Hannes, in the lead, fell through a covered crevasse. This crevasse was distant from the one they were avoiding, and completely invisible. No typical tell tale signs such as sagging snow, or discolouration/texture were observed on the agreed upon travel route. They deemed the area to be safe enough to travel unroped.

After failed initial voice contact they then built anchors and Chris rappelled into the crevasse and found Hannes lying face-down with his head and torso covered by snow on a snow bridge at exactly the end of the 30m rope. He repositioned the unconscious victim and performed CPR, but could not detect a pulse or signs of breathing. He ascended the rope with the sat phone recovered from Hannes’ pack and they called for immediate rescue assistance between 8-8:30pm. Dominik then rappelled back into the crevasse to deliver further CPR.

The SAR helicopter arrived on scene shortly after dusk, and put one SAR tech on the ground by a winch, and extracted Dominik and Chris immediately, and Hannes shortly after. They then flew directly to Saint Joseph’s hospital in Comox during which time the extensive efforts of the onboard medics were unable to revive Hannes.

Map Section of the 92K16 Identifying Accident Site

Information regarding Hannes' memorial service can be found here - http://rememberinghannes.blogspot.com/

Johannes Mullegger

2009-04-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

I write this post with heavy heart. Johannes (Hannes) Mullegger, a fellow North Shore Rescue Team Member, fell into a crevasse yesterday and passed away.

Hannes was on a ski tour with two friends on the Compton Neve. He fell approximately 100 ft. into a crevasse. The Armed Forces (442 Squadron) were scrambled and extracted Hannes, however, it was too late and he was pronounced dead at St. Josephs Hospital.

During the rescue, Whistler SAR was asked by NSR to be the lead team (if required), with NSR as a back-up. There was constant communication between JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Center), BC Ambulance Service and NSR. We spent last night waiting to hear if Hannes was going to be ok, or if we were going to be called in to help one of our own. Unfortunately, just after midnight we received the news that Hannes had passed away.

The last time I saw Hannes was a few weeks ago on the last rescue on Grouse Mountain. Hannes and I were carrying the Rope Rescue gear and ropes and setting up each rope rescue station together. Hannes' job was to drag the 300 foot rope up the slope - a difficult job, but a job he was built for and loved. Hannes was known as an unstoppable force, and was known by all on the team as someone "who would carry two kitchen sinks" if he was asked to.

Strong willed, an excellent mountaineer, extremely fit, and a friend that we at North Shore Rescue will miss greatly.

This is a great shock to North Shore Rescue, and our hearts go out to Hannes' family, his girlfriend and his friends.

We would like to thank the Armed Forces 442, SAR Techs and pilots for doing an amazing job, in a difficult night rescue, and to Hannes' two friends, Chris and Dominic, that were with him on the trip.

Hannes we will miss you. You will always be part of our team.

April 23, 2009

2009-04-24T00:18:00.000-07:00

A sad day for NSR.

Succession Plan

2009-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

NS Outlook article discussing HFRS and NSR's succession plan by Kelly McManus -

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/news/43111137.html

Medical Rescue on Grouse

2009-03-30T15:22:00.001-07:00

Yesterday evening we received a page for an injured skiier on Grouse Mountain.

We responded to Capilano Gate SAR Station and launched an HFRS operation in an attempt to quickly extract the subject before dark. Unfortunately the subject was in a heavily treed gully and HFRS was not possible. However, two members were inserted via HFRS and accessed him quickly.

Concurrently members were descending from the base of the Cut on Grouse and arrived at the subject not long after with a Cascade Strecher.

A conventional rope rescue operation was launched, and our Rope Rescue kit was brought down to the subject along with two 300 foot ropes. Coquitlam SAR and Lions Bay SAR were also brought in to help.

The subject was packaged and brought out to the base of the Eagle Chair using 3 to 1 pulley systems, counter balance and direct pulling. It was quite exhausting for all involved, but we managed to get the subject to the base of the chair by midnight.

The reason for the call was that the subject, a male in his 30's, went out of bounds at the base of the Cut and skiied down the old chairlift line. He veered off to the right into a gully, descended a few hundred feet, hit a tree and broke his leg. The subject stated he had consumed a number of alchoholic drinks and some mild sedatives either prior to or after the accident. This appeared to be a factor in this accident, as well as creating a situation where it was very difficult to understand the subject over the cell phone.

We were able to get a helicopter up to pin point his location, otherwise it would have been very difficult to locate him. His description of where he was put him in a drainage further to the East.

Special thanks to Grouse Resorts, Metro Vancouver, Coquitlam SAR, and Lions Bay SAR for providing fantastic operational support and man power.

HFRS Pictures

2009-03-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

I have created a NSR Flickr account and uploaded a number of photos including pictures from last weeks HFRS course and drill.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northshorerescue/