Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council

08/25/2026

Write up By Cascadia Daily on a recent call of ours - thanks to all who provided aid!

Bellingham Mountain Rescue volunteer had taught, guided the man he came to save

07/06/2026

This weekend, the search continued for overdue mountaineer Gursimran Randhawa in the Twin Sisters mountain range in central Whatcom County. Local teams from Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council and Whatcom Co Search & Rescue 4x4 Unit were joined by state partners including Skagit Mountain Rescue Unit, Everett Mountain Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue Unit, and Olympic Mountain Rescue to comb alpine terrain where Mr. Randhawa was believed to be rock scrambling.

On Sunday, July 5, mountain rescue teams were flown to the South Twin Sister by Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team to search the Sisters Glacier on foot and by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone). Additional aerial searching was conducted by CBP Air and Marine Operations, who have supported the search since its onset.

The search for Mr Randhawa continues, and anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to reach out to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office via 911.

Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council partners are always able and willing to be dispatched through WCSO. All Whatcom County SAR members are volunteers. If you would like to support the Whatcom County SAR Council, please visit www.wcsar.org/donations/

05/11/2026

BMR members came together for 3 days high up on Mt. Baker this weekend to refresh & sharpen our crevasse rescue skills. Being able to train and execute our systems inside of actual crevasses is a critical component to our mission readiness.

📸 : Ben Groenhout

02/16/2026

📍This weekend, Bellingham Mountain Rescue responded to multiple wintertime rescues in backcountry areas near Mt. Baker.

On Saturday, BMRC team members responded to a solo skier that sustained multiple injuries after an avalanche accident. The skier was assisted by several nearby parties who rewarmed him and moved him out of avalanche danger. Rescuers assessed the patient and packaged him in our toboggan, where he was evacuated to Heather Meadows.

On Sunday, team members responded to another serious injury in the Hemispheres backcountry area outside Mt Baker ski area. Again, the patient was packaged in a toboggan and skied out to an awaiting ambulance.

Here's what can be learned from these two incidents:
❄️ Dont let powder fever catch you off guard! Don't let the excitement of fresh powder lead to bad decisions. Snow conditions are still thin in areas and unmarked obstacles may be covered with trace amounts of snow.

❄️ Hemispheres and Shuksan Arm are both backcountry areas. Even though they can be accessed via Mt Baker Ski Area, they are not controlled for avalanches and are not served by ski patrol. Rescue in the backcountry can be delayed for many reasons. Even if you're riding the chairlift, pack backcountry basics like warm clothes and first aid equipment.

❄️ Ski and ride with a partner, keeping them in sight and using good travel techniques, such as riding one at a time. Develop a communication strategy (cell phone, radio, inReach, etc...). Consider filing a trip plan with a trusted person.

BMRC does not charge for rescue. Equipment such as our carbon fiber rescue toboggan is purchased with individual donations. Consider supporting our missions via donation:
www.bellinghammountainrescue.com/donate

01/20/2026

📍 Mission Report: On Saturday night Jan 17th
Bellingham Mountain Rescue was called out to help with an unstable lower leg injury in the Mount Baker backcountry. Fortunately, the subject was noted to be stable and well prepared to spend the night.
A rescue team responded first thing early Sunday morning and extricated him to higher care. Be careful out there friends! Things can happen when you least expect it.

BMR would like to remind folks that being prepared to stay the night is a foundational skill when recreating outside - and can often improve a tough situation.