We have had an adventuresome couple of days out on the mountain here in Cooke.
A night search and a pre sunrise rescue.
I took a day off from riding with my buds. Glad I asked where they were headed. I wish I could have reached them before nightfall but, they were relieved to see me before day break this morning.Was I worried yes. I knew where they were headed. Did I know where they were at, no not for certain. The weather was in the 20s and only a light dusting of snow was coming. I saddled up at dusk when they did not return for the day, searching the area. We searched from the ridges trying to get radio contact until 10 pm. I know these guys are prepared, that is why we ride together. At 5:30 am four of us flew up the trails and boondocked to the far boundaries of the area, down a steep ravine. I found 2 tracks heading down a narrow creek bed, just where I thought they would be. I told the guys, it gets dicey from here, we have to wait for light to get in the steep ravine with open water and huge boulders. I was convinced their radios were dead since we did not get any response the night prior. I tried the radio and we made contact, because they had spare batteries. We confirmed that they were both ok and sent two guys back to town to call of the other searching parties. We hiked down the ravine, they were only about 150 yards down from where I stopped. They never heard our sleds. When I saw my buds, tears of joy. We joined the camp fire. Gave them food and powerade, then we listened to the tail. Once the sun rose we assessed the situation, dug out, and rode into town for some breakfast. Two very capable riders who were prepared. One sled was on the cusp of getting them out, but at 8 pm in the mountains they were feeling exhausted and made the right decision. They started a fire, dried out and waited for daylight.
A night search and a pre sunrise rescue.
I took a day off from riding with my buds. Glad I asked where they were headed. I wish I could have reached them before nightfall but, they were relieved to see me before day break this morning.Was I worried yes. I knew where they were headed. Did I know where they were at, no not for certain. The weather was in the 20s and only a light dusting of snow was coming. I saddled up at dusk when they did not return for the day, searching the area. We searched from the ridges trying to get radio contact until 10 pm. I know these guys are prepared, that is why we ride together. At 5:30 am four of us flew up the trails and boondocked to the far boundaries of the area, down a steep ravine. I found 2 tracks heading down a narrow creek bed, just where I thought they would be. I told the guys, it gets dicey from here, we have to wait for light to get in the steep ravine with open water and huge boulders. I was convinced their radios were dead since we did not get any response the night prior. I tried the radio and we made contact, because they had spare batteries. We confirmed that they were both ok and sent two guys back to town to call of the other searching parties. We hiked down the ravine, they were only about 150 yards down from where I stopped. They never heard our sleds. When I saw my buds, tears of joy. We joined the camp fire. Gave them food and powerade, then we listened to the tail. Once the sun rose we assessed the situation, dug out, and rode into town for some breakfast. Two very capable riders who were prepared. One sled was on the cusp of getting them out, but at 8 pm in the mountains they were feeling exhausted and made the right decision. They started a fire, dried out and waited for daylight.
