On to lift evac… and the heavy part of the pack

Image via Wikipedia

Hoping the weather holds up so we can practice the old dangle from the angle. It was a good night of review tonight for candidates and I think they are all primed to do well on their written exam next week.

I’m wishing them all luck.

The video below is a pretty fun look at a lift evac in France. Thanks YouTube and the folks who made this.

It took three hours, according to the film. That’s something to think about when it’s chilly out. What do you suppose is the biggest issue for lift-evacs besides the danger of a high-angle belay? Some evacs in Maine have been two but — knock on wood — no major ones in several years.

If you watch closely and can get over the music you will notice in this video the rescuers are ascending to guests and helping them harness up.  In one shot you see a rescuer taking a zip-ride down the haul rope on the chair-lift. It looked like a very well-coordinated effort.  What else do you notice? What tools did they employ? How about communications with the guests and fellow rescuers?

Advertisement