Alpine Rescue Team

Background Statement

The start of what has become the Alpine Rescue Team, like many other organizations, grew from a specific event. On June 27, 1959 a climbing accident occurred in Turkey Creek Canyon involving four climbers at Lovers Leap, a 400-foot tall crag. After successfully completing the climb the group started a series of rappels. On the second rappel while the second climber descended, a single piton used as the anchor worked loose resulting in the rope dropping to the ground and the climber plunging to his death. Since the climbing team only had one rope, the other two climbers had to be rescued. The rescue of these two individuals and the recovery of the one deceased climber involved the combined efforts of the Idledale, Evergreen and Indian Hills Fire Departments along with some recreational climbers. Because of this incident, the surrounding community fire departments and ambulance personnel were forced to recognize that they were ill trained and not equipped to perform high angle rock rescues and evacuations in the Clear Creek, Bear Creek and Turkey Creek canyons.

Dick Perkins, then Fire Chief of Indian Hills found the dislodged and bent piton. Today it is displayed at the Team's headquarters where it serves as a reminder about the seriousness and importance of the Team's efforts. This reminder is represented by an annual award - The Bent Piton - given to a member or members for outstanding performance while participating on a Mission.

This mission, the increased local need for a technical mountain rescue capability and the active encouragement of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group in Boulder were all essential factors in the formation of the Alpine Rescue Team. In its formative stages, before incorporation, the Team was sponsored by the volunteer fire departments of Evergreen, Indian Hills and Idledale. After all three departments requested volunteers to join this special rescue unit; the first ever meeting was held in the summer of 1959 with six members in attendance, two members from each of the three mountain fire departments.

Early on, the team realized that they had to learn to climb and protect each other before they could even consider helping anyone else. It was not until "Rozzie" Clark Jr., then the Fire Chief of the Evergreen Fire Department, convinced Gordon Stucker and Dave Pratt to get involved, did the team find leaders to train the team in Mountain Rescue. Gordon had provided mountaineering training for soldiers at Fort Carson, and Dave was a former member of a European rescue team. Excited by the opportunity Gordon and Dave stuck around and ultimately took over the team's training. As stated by Charter member, Gene Lines, "Rozzie Clark Jr. kept us alive financially and Gordon and Dave kept us alive physically."

The newly-founded Team didn't have to wait long before their first mission. On September 20, 1959 the Team was called to Turkey Creek Canyon.

As the team's mountain search and rescue expertise increased, it was time to separate from the Fire Districts and become an independent organization. In February of 1960, the nine Charter Members wrote the original Team By-laws. Two months later on April 20th, 1960 the organization was incorporated with the name, Alpine Rescue Team.

On August 1, 1960 members of the Alpine Rescue Team became part of Colorado's mountaineering history with their support of the first ever ascent of the Diamond on Long's Peak. In the summer of 1960, National Park Service guidelines for big wall climbs where changed to allow climbers to make these technical climbs provided that they could demonstrate that they were competent climbers and could also provide their own support team that would perform a rescue if necessary. California climbers Dave Rearick and Bob Kamps made the first ever ascent of the 900-foot tall Diamond. Members of the Alpine Rescue Team served as their support team.

As the Team's proficiency increased, members' interests extended beyond the Inter-canyon area. In 1960 Team members became active in the creation of the Colorado Rescue Association, now incorporated as the Colorado Search and Rescue Association. The Team would no longer think in terms of geographical limits. Since 1960, the Alpine Rescue Team has operated throughout the Rocky Mountain region and across the U.S.

Two years later, in 1962, the team became the second Colorado Mountain Rescue Team to be a fully accredited member of the Mountain Rescue Association.

High standards, quality training, and serious search and rescue operations improved the Team's prowess. That reputation, combined with Gordon and Joann Stucker's personal friendship with Roy and Alice Holubar along with Charter Member, Gene Lines working for the Holubars, allowed the Alpine Rescue Team to acquire specially designed mountaineering equipment. Alice Holubar designed and made mountaineering clothing, packs and sleeping bags in her basement home in Boulder. Holubar became the first American Mountaineering mail order supply house. Alice Holubar was to the mountaineering equipment business what the 10th mountain Division was to the American ski industry. If Alice could not sew it, she worked with the American Red Cross to locate and procure special equipment for the Team including surplus climbing equipment, stokes litters and medical supplies. Alice's original designs are still copied today by the outdoor industry. Her designs and products have stood the test of time. The Team is proud to have many of the original custom made sleeping bags and down suits that were designed and made for members by Alice Holubar.

In 1963 the Team sponsored an Explorer Scout Program. That first year, twelve young men participated in the Evergreen "Explorers Post 95". The Explorer Program continued for a number of years before it dissolved. In the late 1960's, Team member, Lindon "Woody" Wood began a new training program for young men and women ages 13 and older. At the time these teenagers performed their work in the same amounts and at the same level of quality expected of every adult member. These young men and women conducted trainings and lead searches and rescues.