Destruction in the name of Education

Rigging for Rescue’s slow pull machine, dubbed “The Rack”, has been brought out for two recent seminars. Seminar participants were invited to test knots, anchor systems, hardware, and any other item that they wanted to see pulled to failure. Clearly these tests can only be considered “quick-look” and non-comprehensive testing.


This Prusik bypass failed at 27.4 kN

Paint it Black

Members of Rocky Mountain Fire and West Metro Fire collaborated for a Rigging for Rescue seminar in Ouray last month.  Part of the curriculum included a multipitch lower off of the Alimony Wall in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  Home to the biggest walls in Colorado, the Black Canyon is a true gem.  Kudos to the seminar participants who executed this exercise in good form. 

Update and Beyond: Highlines, Guiding Lines, Deflection Lines, Oh My

A diverse group of rope access, fire service, swiftwater and mountain rescue personnel attended last week's Update and Beyond seminar in Ouray, including folks from Australia, Rescue Japan, North Carolina, and Colorado's Front Range. 

As usual, it was a skilled and motivated crew that found time for both training and fun in the Ouray sunshine.

Deflection Line over the Gorge

 

Guiding Line to float the litter over difficult terrain

 

Highline over the reservoir 

 

 

Rigging for Rescue in Iceland

2011 marked Mike's third trip to Iceland and fourth time working with members of ICE-SAR.  This year’s training was held in and around the Reykjavik area. It included ICE SAR participants from various teams around the island nation.

Instructor “Training” – Mt. Huntington

Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek took some time following their recent contract seminar with Denali National Park and the 212^th RQS to climb the much revered Mt. Huntington.  Gibbs and Koprek chose the Colton/Leach route, a neighbor to the much more often climbed West Face Couloir.  This Alaska Grade 6 route was established by British climbers Nick Colton and Timothy Leach in 1981. 

Denali/212th RQS

Rigging for Rescue instructors Mike Gibbs and Kevin Koprek recently completed an annual seminar with 212^th Rescue Squadron and Denali National Park.  This year’s collaborative training between the Denali Mountaineering Rangers and Air Force Pararescuemen took place in the Ruth Gorge.  As always, it was a great seminar in an incredible setting with skilled, motivated participants.  

Busy Spring!

Recent months have seen Rigging for Rescue instructors racking up frequent flyer miles crisscrossing the continent conducting both open enrollment and contract seminars, including seminars for The Canadian Department of National Defense, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue, the South Marin Fire Protection District, the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, the Ontario Provincial Police and two open enrollment seminars in the Yosemite Valley. 

Kootenay Highline System with a reeving variation with the South Marin Fire Protection District

 The blue glacier ice surrounds Brian as he waits for rescue

Eklutna Valley falls away under the rescue crew as they work at passing a knot during a long lower

Special thanks to seminar participant John Borland for the above photos from the AMRG seminar.  More can be found at his blog: http://www.morffed.com/2011/Rigging-For-Rescue-Seminar/16472600_q9bsS#1239626232_n7M4w

If you participated in any of these seminars, feel free to email us with any photos that you would like posted.