Our judges for the fourth annual CSAR photo contest were Matthew Eric Lit, a Colorado-based professional photographer; and Howard Paul, also a Colorado-based professional photographer and a member of Alpine Rescue Team. (Anna DeBattiste, CSAR’s Public Information and Education Program manager facilitated the judging.) You can see Matt Lit’s work here and Howard Paul’s work here.
Best Rescue/Training Photo
Third place – By Jack Hickisch of Arapaphoe Rescue Patrol – “Arapahoe Rescue Patrol members practice a low angle raising system during Basic II Training.”
Second place – by Darren Kerralla of Douglas County SAR. “We were actively searching for an at-risk individual who had been missing for approximately 48 hours. Despite making audible contact with the subject, the dense scrub oak and willow vegetation obstructed the ground team’s view until the moment of the actual reach, which is captured in this photo. This image embodies the essence of search and rescue, depicting a faceless helping hand extending toward those in need. The photo was taken from our UAV (drone), hovering at an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level.”
First place – By Harry Sandler of Routt County SAR. “Members of Routt County SAR along with Garfield County SAR and The Yampa Fire Protection District utilize a guiding line to retrieve a raft following a drowning on the Bear River in the Flat Top Mountains.”
Best Interagency Photo
Third place – By Harry Sandler of Routt County SAR. “Routt County SAR transporting the Classic Air Medical flight crew to the scene of a serious snowmobile crash on Rabbit Ears Pass so they can provide advanced medical care.”
Second place – By Chris Denning of Summit County Rescue Group. “This photo was taken the evening of May 22nd, 2024 on the east ridge of Quandary Peak. We were called for two people who lost the trail on their descent from the summit. They had veered south on the ridge and the male had lost his footing and slid and estimated 100 – 150 feet. His female friend hiked down to join him. They both had microspikes but no other winter travel gear. They had trouble trying to get back up to the ridge, so they decided to descend instead. They reported that the male had fallen two more times and had injured his wrist, making further descent very difficult. One of the Summit County Sheriff’s Special Operations technicians drove up Blue Lakes Road and used his drone to locate the parties in a steep and snow-filled couloir. A Flight For Life helicopter was requested to insert a team of four on the ridge and hike down to the pair. A second team of five was driven up the road to make contact from below. A UH60 helicopter from HAATS was also requested for a potential hoist evacuation. Team 1 decided that they would not be able to reach the parties safely or in a timely manner, but team 2 believed they would be able to reach the parties. The UH60 from HAATS arrived on scene to make their assessment and decided a hoist would be dangerous given potential rockfall from rotor wash and the steepness of the couloir. They dropped two of their rescue techs on the ground to assist with a ground rescue. The photo is of Talon 30 on approach to the ridge to pick up team 1 and bring them back to the road. The sun was rapidly descending behind the ridge and the UH60 needed to return to base with its entire crew. Meanwhile, the remaining ground teams performed a high angle rescue. This was a fairly complicated rescue due to the location of the parties, the time of day, the season, the terrain, and the variable ground cover. I feel very fortunate that we have excellent working relationships with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Flight For Life, and the Colorado National Guard’s High Altitude Aviation Training Site.”
First place – By Ben Beresford of La Plata County SAR. ““A four-wheeler rolled off a cliff in La Plata Canyon. This was a dual response in the snow by La Plata County SAR and Durango Fire and Rescue.”
Internal Teamwork Photos
Third place – By Harry Sandler of Routt County SAR. ““Routt County SAR members work together to maneuver a loaded toboggan during a training scenario on Buffalo Pass.”
Second place – By Kevin Powers of Chaffee County SAR North. ““Chaffee County SAR North rescues a lost, hypothermic man from the mountains. He had gone hiking on his birthday on a relatively warm afternoon. However, a brutal winter storm rolled in and he became lost. Rescuers found him curled up in a ball on the ground. We initially thought he was a snow-covered rock. Rescuers rewarmed the subject and then transported him off of the mountain to a waiting ambulance. He lived.”
First place – By David Hunsicker of Front Range Mine Rescue. “We are lowering a live training patient down an ore chute using ropes and technical gear.”
Non-SAR Member Photos
Second place – By Cormac McCrimmon of Rocky Mountain PBS. “Members of Routt County Search and Rescue use a pulley to hoist an injured hiker from a gully on Rabbit Ears Pass during a training exercise in July.”
First place – By Nam Luu. ““Members of Custer County and Chaffee County SAR teamed up on an interagency training mission on Crestone Needle. This photo was taken on July 20, 2024 at 0715, a quarter mile past Broken Hand Pass, at approximately 13,300 feet. The team scaled the jagged rock formations just as the sun started to pierce the horizon. My team of three had passed them a few minutes prior and exchanged pleasantries about their route, the famous backpack abandoned on the traverse in a prior season, and Denali (my buddy was wearing a Denali hat). We expressed gratitude for the work they do and went on our way feeling good that we had passed the formidable SAR team – but then realized our packs were probably 80% lighter than theirs!”
