Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Below is a copy of my post to NMSAR-forum, the New Mexico state
wide e-mail list for volunteer SAR responders.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico


>Hello NM-SAR,
>
>We did it!
>
>On April 17th, not quite 4 weeks ago, I posted a call here for
>amateur radio operators, in support of a foot racing event in 
>the Santa Fe National Forest around Los Alamos.  Yesterday,
>May 13th, 101 people from 8 states ran in their choice of race:
>half-marathon, 50 km, and 50 mile.  Elevation on the 50-mile
>course varied between 6,000 and 11,000 feet, and the climb was
>10,000 feet.  This qualifies as the second most extreme ultra
>race course in North America, and perhaps in the world.  A few
>runners felt ill at some point, several abandoned the course,
>two missed cutoff times and were not allowed to continue, but
>there were no injuries of note and no one got lost.
>
>I called for volunteers less than 4 weeks before the event only
>because my own involvement began that late (that same day, in
>fact).  Someone helping to plan the race realized they needed
>8 aid stations plus a base, and communication among all of them.
>Still more complicated, 4 aid stations were 1.5 to 7 miles hike
>from the nearest trailhead, and 2 more aid stations were behind
>gates that required an escort to drive through them.  With no
>prior experience in planning, organizing, or directing such an
>activity, I was not qualified for the job.  But someone had to
>do it, and they had no one else.  Many people helped me a lot,
>including numerous people with NM SAR.  Those NM SAR people who
>worked with me on Saturday deserve special mention and a huge
>public THANK YOU here on NMSAR-forum:
>
>       Bill Boedeker and Wendee Brunish, LAARC
>       Marie-Louise Hadden and Blaine Hadden, LCVFD
>
>LAARC loaned me the use of their radio communications trailer.
>It was exactly what was needed, and I feel deeply priviledged
>to have been entrusted with it.
>
>In all, race day was a tremendous success and many runners and
>volunteers have said they hope it will be held again next year.
>
>Hope to see you all at ESCAPE,
>
>       Una Smith KE5CEP
>       Los Alamos