Washoe County Search & Rescue

On Tuesday, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office RAVEN Unit's Helicopter Rescue Team conducted hoist rescue training near Relay Peak (el.10,338') in the Mt Rose Wilderness. This training simulated the rapid deployment of Washoe County Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue Technicians responding to an avalanche deep in the backcountry.

There are many popular backcountry ski areas in Washoe County and the surrounding region that would take ground-based rescuers hours to reach by snowshoes, skis, or tracked vehicles in the event of a serious emergency. With good weather, RAVEN can potentially deploy WCSAR Helicopter Rescue Technicians to many of these areas in an hour or less, providing potentially life-saving medical care and evacuation as quickly as possible.

Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Mountain Rescue Association
California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association
Sierra Avalanche Center