California MRA Recertification

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team passed our technical rock recertification for the California region MRA with flying colors. Search and rescue teams from all over California all met in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine to be tested and re-certified on their technical rock rescue skills. Using a system described as "elegant" by our testing proctors, we were able to extract a simulated injured victim and transport him to safety over difficult rocky terrain while maintaining a high standard of medical care. Shown above is the team after the recertification including the two newest full members showing off their MRA patches.

Three rescued in Eaton Canyon

At around 3pm on Sunday, February 20th, the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team was called on to rescue three teenage girls who had gotten themselves in a tight spot. The teens had been exploring the small canyons on the east side of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, when they decided to start climbing up the side of the canyon. They had started with five girls, but at that point two of them decided not to make the climb, and turned back. The first two AMRT units to respond met up with the two teens at the Nature Center, and the girls then attempted to show the rescuers the route their friends had taken. When they failed to remember where their friends had started climbing, the search was on.

The girls were found at the head of Cascade Canyon on a ledge in a tight water runoff chute. Ahead of them was about an 80ft drop. They had the steep chute walls on both sides and a 15 foot vertical climb behind them. They had climbed down to this spot and became trapped. Also, from this position they couldn't see anything, and were unable to identify any landmarks that could help rescuers find them. Upon arriving on the scene, one rescuer rappelled down and secured the girls while his teammates set up a rope system to raise them out. They were all raised out of the chute and safely escorted down the side of the adjacent canyon. They all reached canyon bottom just as the sun was setting.

5 Altadena Non-Profits Making a Difference

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team is very proud to be mentioned alongside some great organizations doing good work in our community. Thanks!

Trio Rescued from Rocky Cliffs Above Eaton Canyon

January 11, 2011

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team and neighboring Sierra Madre Rescue team members joined forces to rescue two adult males and an 8 year old boy from a precarious perch high atop Acrophobia Ridge in Eaton Canyon.

The victims phoned for help at about 6 p.m. when they found themselves lost in the darkness on steep, rocky terrain just South of the Eaton Canyon Waterfall.

Rescue crews scaled Acrophobia Ridge shortly after 7:30 p.m., located and secured the victims in rescue harnesses and slowly escorted them down the long, rocky ridge to safety using a system of hand lines and secure tie-in devices. All parties were safe at canyon bottom just before midnight. There were no injuries.

Hiker Injured in 80 Foot Fall Above Eaton Canyon

December 28, 2010

AMRT Members and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Air 5 Helitac Team responded to a distress call reporting a severely injured hiker who plunged approximately 80 feet from a rock cliff near the Eaton Canyon Waterfall shortly after 5 p.m. The Air 5 crew extracted the male victim and transported him to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.

The injured male was hiking in Eaton Canyon with a group of nine people. One other group member sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

AMRT Members Rescue 5 Youths Stranded on Mountain Top Above El Prieto

December 26, 2010

Altadena Mountain Rescue Team members rescued five youths from a steep mountain top high above El Prieto Trail shortly before 11 p.m. The youths started hiking at about 3:30 p.m., climbed up a steep ravine and found themselves in trouble after sunset. Stranded on a steep, loose slope in the darkness, the boys called for help using a cell phone.

AMRT members targeted the approximate location of the group and were able to climb to their aid and escort the group down to safety. There were no injuries.

Helitac Training at Henninger Flats

Today AMRT members were trained on all aspects of helicopter operations from Sheriff's Department AIR-5 personnel. Members received information on helicopter safety and participated in winch and rappelling training exercises in order to maintain their skills in readiness for demanding helicopter operations.