Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, Inc. Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue, Inc.

TNSAR Search 4/15/2018

Benson Hut leg injury

Submitted by Dirk schoonmaker

On Saturday, April 14th, a skier staying at the Benson hut injured his leg but was able to get back to the hut for the night. He decided to wait until the next day to assess the injury and when it was worse in the morning TNSAR was dispatched at about 9:30 to assist with his evacuation.

3 snowmobilers, 4 skiers and 1 communications specialist responded. (Comm van was in Auburn). Troy was skiing at Sugarbowl already so he went to his car and got his radio and phone and headed out the ridge from Lincoln Chair. The 3 snowmobilers started up Coldstream Canyon to try to access the hut from below and the other 3 skiers started out the ridge, about 30 minutes behind Troy. None of the law enforcement helicopters were available but CareFlight was dispatched. The wind was blowing 15-20 mph over the ridge and the cloud ceiling was about 200' above the hut.

Troy reached the hut and assessed and just about that time the helicopter arrived on scene and was able to land in the saddle below the hut. As the patient was being loaded the 3 snowmobiles also arrived at the LZ having been able to make it all the way in.

All rescuers returned to the command post and got word that the patient probably had a broken leg.

SheriffCommVanTruckSkiersSnowmobiles
Mike MasonDustin Phelan
Dirk Schoonmaker
Russ Viehmann
Troy Corliss
Ryan Decker
Ray O'Brien
Tony Sabatella
Scott Baumgartner

The goal of TNSAR is to conduct fast and safe rescues, and to help educate the public on winter safety. If you would like to help TNSAR in this cause, please use the following PayPal donate link. Thanks!

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