Wednesday, December 18, 2013

YOSAR = Yosemite Search And Rescue

Safety Information for hikers, climbers, and everybody.

Reduce the chances that you will need YOSAR's services by checking on weather and trail conditions and planning accordingly.
There are 800+ miles of designated trails in Yosemite's wilderness. It is not surprising that the majority of YOSAR missions are spent assisting an injured hiker or searching for a lost person in the backcountry. Learn more about the potential dangers and how to maximize your safety while on the trail:
Most climbers do a good job coping with the hazards of their sport, yet more than 100 climbing accidents occur in the park every year. What factors contribute to them? What, if anything, can climbers do to avoid them? And just how dangerous is climbing, anyway? With these questions in mind, the National Park Service (NPS) has examined most of the serious accidents that occurred in the park during the years from 1970 through 1990. The conclusions provide interesting reading for those wishing to stay alive.
One of the best ways to learn is through example. With rescue prevention in mind, Friends of YOSAR has partnered with Accidents in North American Mountaineering (ANAM) and the National Park Service to write reconstructive analysis of incidents and post it to the Web so that others can better avoid/cope with backcountry emergencies. Although much of this analysis deals with climbing, it also addresses emergencies involving other backcountry pursuits, such as backpacking. Read in-depth reports, interviews and analysis by rescue professionals to learn from the misfortune of others.
The following story, submitted by the subject of a search and rescue effort, illustrates the need to be aware of hazards in the outdoors. What began as an innocent day hike to view one of Yosemite's natural wonders ended in a traumatic experience at the edge of a waterfall. Read his story:

http://www.friendsofyosar.org/rescues/rescues.html