I did something different the weekend of April 6th. I volunteered to help avalanche train some search and rescue dogs. That sounds more glamorous than it was. What I did was dig a bunch of holes in the snow. 🙂
The search and rescue dogs are amazing! First, you bury “subjects” (otherwise known as real, live humans) in snow caves which are 3 feet deep x 5 x 7. Then a dog, using nothing but its nose, finds the subject, and digs a hole in the snow big enough to get in with the subject. In the training, the subject then rewards the dog with a toy or a snack, not to mention some praise. The dog handler and assistants (if any) finish extracting the subject. I have to confess that I lacked the courage to get buried, even though there was never any danger (all you have to do is basically say “get me out” on the radio, and everybody drops what they are doing to dig you out).
It rained/snowed all weekend, but I didn’t care (I was, however, glad that I had good rain gear 🙂 ). The people who volunteer to be in search and rescue are not only caring people, but they are fascinating people from all walks of life.
One surprise, at least for me, was the accommodations that weekend. I thought that we’d stay in an equivalent to a ski patrol dormitory. No! We stayed in a house! Also, all meals except lunch were provided. Since I was volunteering my time, I didn’t have to pay a cent for all of this! They refused to take my money, so all I could do was thank the hostess profusely.
What a memorable weekend!
This is a photoblog, so I am posting a few pictures. There are a whole lot more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.318091888317666.1073741827.100003505710998&type=3 Let me know if you can’t access that.
How many people are missing?
How long ago was the avalanche?
Chuck Martin Photos 