SAR Training

5/8/2013

Don't worry Momma Tucker, a.k.a. Courtney's mother, she is only playing. This picture was taken while the crew was taking their search and rescue training. I was asked about rescues on the mountain. We do participate in a lot of rescues, whether it is hiking down the trail and looking for lost hikers or helping someone if they have fallen and have a hurt ankle. I have seen everything from cuts on hands to kidney stones. This is not the place you want to be when trying to pass a kidney stone. We all have first aid training and now have SAR training. When Chris and I are hiking on the trail and we see a kid hiking by themselves, we often ask them to slow down and make sure they stay close to their family. We have seen to many instances when the kid gets out in front and takes a wrong turn and then we end up searching for them. We are always successful in finding them. It may take us an hour or two, but we do locate them. Just make sure that your child can always hear you or see you. Make sure they know to stop at any trail junction and wait on an adult. These are a few safety rules that will save your family a lot of worry.

As for weather, we are STILL socked in. The low yesterday was 33º with a high of 44º. We received .26" rain last night.

Judy Tucker

5/8/2013 12:17:15 am

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like everyone was having some fun.

doug y

5/8/2013 01:21:40 am

Allyson: In your comments above you brought something to my attention: when you encounter children on a trail hiking by themselves, or apart from their group, you encourage them to rejoin their companions. This is something that I admit that I seldom have done, not that I didn't think of it. It may be that in today's society where people don't encourage their children to talk to strangers it made me reluctant to speak to children anywhere. This is illogical for me to do. If speaking to youngsters might save their lives, then by all means I should do so, and on every hike of mine in the future, if I run across such children alone, that's precisely what I will do. Thanks, I stand corrected and improved !
Shelley: I don't usually think of Indiana as a neighbor, but you're right; I drove through it a lot during my year as a big rig driver - - that was a nice experience for a season.
Debi: I don't know if that book is still available - - I will let you read mine if you wish. It's interesting, but that all that great as regards substance. Good morning.

Steve D

5/8/2013 01:54:39 am

Good point Doug-I too am very careful about approaching children on the trail for the same reasons. I have seen on occasion where a child will get far out in front, and then when I see the parents I will ask them if that is their child but I think I could say a bit more to emphasize the danger of them getting too far out front. Thanks for the reminder on that Allyson.

Brian N bama

5/8/2013 02:01:45 am

Woo Hoo!!! in about 72 hrs, I will be on my way up. Hopefully the rain and clouds will hold for my dad and uncle since this is their first trip. Really want them to be able to see the majestic views that Mt Leconte has to offer.

Brian N bama

5/8/2013 02:34:56 am

Allyson, let me know if there is anything you need me to bring up from the "real" world down below. See you saturday.

J Bird

5/8/2013 02:42:18 am

I wonder if any of the SAR crews use or have working dogs as well?

Ron Adams

5/8/2013 03:08:05 am

Thanks for sharing your SAR experiences. I was just wondering how often you have to bail someone out. There is so much about the Lodge operations that I know, and so much that I don't know, and am curious about. Here is another question or two: ever encounter drinking problems in the evening from guests? Does anyone ever bring up their own alcohol and imbibe too much, and then become obnoxious and unruly? Was wondering if this happens much, and how you handle it.

Ron Adams

5/8/2013 03:26:03 am

I am like you, Doug. I have been hesitate to speak to any child I encounter on the trail (or elsewhere), because there have been times I have waved or smiled at some little 5 year old girl or boy, just being friendly, and the mom or dad look at me suspiciously. But Allyson is right, we should check on people we see on the trail.
I was hiking down the Trillium Gap trail last March, and ran into 3 teenage boys who were on a day hike up and back to the Lodge. They looked really young and inexperienced,and it was getting late in the afternoon. I asked them if they had a watch and flashlights; they did not. I then asked if they had any water, and one of them said, hesitantly, yes. I think he was lying. They also didn't know how much farther they had to go. I told them they did not have the time to hike up there and back down in the daylight........After a good talk from me, they headed back down. I think this is the kind of thing we hikers should do when we come across people clearly out of their element.

Pam

5/8/2013 03:51:23 am

Me and my husband are always talking to just about everyone we come across, but you have encouraged me to really ask and find if they are prepared for the hike ahead, because as we know the mountain weather can change at any time. I will also encourage the kids to slow down, I always tell my grand kids if I can not see you then you are to far and you need to stop and wait for me. Thank you for the great pictures, and info we hope to getup this weekend.

Ron Adams

5/8/2013 04:42:56 am

Good comments, Pam. What amazes is the families that I encounter hiking up the ACB, and some of them let their little kiddoes race ahead along the cliff's edge. Scares the heck out of me. More than once I have told a mom or dad to keep them closer, and watch out for them, for the drop-offs are potentially dangerous for an excited 7 year old running about.

Richard from MA

5/8/2013 06:27:29 am

When hiking with the grandkids, I just tell them that the bears eat the hikers who stray too far from the group. They don't 100% believe me, but it does keep them close...

Judy Tucker

5/8/2013 07:43:41 am

LOL Richard from MA, I like you...

Tracy G

5/8/2013 08:32:14 am

I second that Judy!

Richard from MA

5/8/2013 09:06:44 am

Haha. thanks!

Gina

5/8/2013 11:18:01 am

Good strategy!

Becky

5/8/2013 06:31:12 am

We have hiked Mt. Leconte many times with our kids, starting at age 5. When they were young we made them stick with us, but now they are allowed to run ahead. We have certain places where they know they have to stop and wait for us - Arch Rock, Alum Cave, etc... They know never to go through a steep drop-off area without us. It's worked out fine, just gradually giving them more freedom.

betsy

5/8/2013 11:25:45 am

I am wondering...if you fall on the trail how do you let the crew know you are hurt and in need of assistance. Also what is the fee for a rescue?

Steve D

5/8/2013 11:18:24 pm

betsy-if you are totally unable to continue, if you don't have cell phone coverage where you are, you will have to wait for other hikers to come along for them to either get somewhere they have cell phone coverage to call 911 or if you are close to the top of the mountain they could go on to the Lodge and notify them there. I don't know the fee. You could call the national park at the Sugarlands visitor center and see if they could tell you.

Debi

5/8/2013 12:44:36 pm

My youngest would also run ahead. Got tired of waiting for us. He was also carrying the water. Made him slow down!!

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SAR Training

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