Sedona AZ (September 14, 2015) – Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office appreciates its Search and Rescue volunteers who continually provide live saving solutions to those requiring help during many wilderness rescues the past few weeks. It is hoped the ongoing publicity regarding incidents like those below will cause people venturing into the wilderness to PLAN, PREPARE, and AVOID exceeding their abilities and experience. Below are just two examples from many recent rescues:
BELL ROCK RESCUE –
Rescue personnel (red arrow) are lowered near subject (under white arrow) on Bell Rock
On September 9, around 11:00 in the morning, YCSO dispatchers received a call regarding a man stuck on the north face of Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona. Apparently the man had called a family member and told them he could not find a safe way off a ledge. YCSO Forest Patrol deputies arrived to assess the situation and requested assistance from the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team, Backcountry Unit, along with a DPS Ranger helicopter crew, intending to conduct a short haul, or rope rescue, operation. The climber was later identified as Craig Slaunwhite, 34, from Canada.
Just after 1:00 in the afternoon, the DPS Ranger helicopter arrived and determined they would need to rappel two members of the Backcountry Team onto a ledge above Craig and, after finding an anchor point, one of the rescuers would rappel down to him. At this point, the rescue team member would rig Craig’s harness for a short haul by the helicopter off the ledge. By 3:00 p.m., the DPS Ranger crew had successfully lifted Craig and the rescue team members off the rock.
Slaunwhite lifted from Bell Rock cliff face by DPS Ranger helicopter and YCSO Search and Rescue Team Backcountry Unit
Slaunwhite told deputies he was attempting to make it to the top of the rock after finding a preexisting rope line. During the ascent, he got stuck on a ledge and phoned a friend who in turn called 911 for help.
GRANITE MOUNTAIN RESCUE – A September 8, 2015, incident involved two male hikers rescued from the north face of Granite Mountain, Prescott, Arizona. The hikers, one aged 76 and the other in his 30s, started their hike from the Williamson Valley trail head around 7:00 a.m. the day before. Their planned route was backcountry hiking, off trail, and up the mountain. By midday on the 7th, they had experienced rain and a thunderstorm. By nightfall, while on their way down the mountain, they had only water, no warm clothes, shelter, flashlights, food, nor a means to make fire.
On Monday night around 9:30, a 911 call was received by YCSO indicating the two men were lost. GPS coordinates from their cell phone call were obtained. A DPS Ranger helicopter, based out of Phoenix, and members of the YCSO Backcountry Unit were deployed. The helicopter was able to make visual contact with the hikers, but was not able to land safely due to the terrain and darkness.
Slaunwhite arrives safely at command post after a coordinated team effort by responding agencies
The Backcountry Unit, hiking through extreme brush and rough terrain, reached the pair at approximately 3:00 in the morning. The hikers were given clothing and food, a safe area for the group was found and a fire started, and arrangements were made for a DPS Ranger helicopter from Flagstaff to fly in at daylight.
The next day, September 8, the DPS Ranger crew and members of the Backcountry Unit were able to short haul one of the hikers out of the wilderness. The second hiker and Backcountry team members were airlifted back to the trailhead at approximately 8:30 in the morning.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or visit the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.
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