Alpine Rescue Team

08/28/2026

ICAR – International Mountain Rescue Day

August 28, 1948 – A milestone in mountain rescue history 📅

On this weekend in 1948, mountain rescue pioneers from different countries gathered at Wilder Kaiser mountain range at the invitation of the Austrian Alpine Club. The people present exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and laid the foundation for what would soon become ICAR – the International Commission for Alpine Rescue – officially founded in 1955.

Today ICAR has grown to a network of over 140 member organizations in 41 countries around the world. This impressive global network reflects the strong spirit of networking, cooperation and shared commitment to saving lives in the mountains.

🥾 Today, we honour the spirit of collaboration and the tireless dedication of all the women and men who often risk their lives to keep others safe in the mountains. Thank you for your courage, commitment, and community. 🏔️❤️

*Image: stretcher carry in Austria; picture courtesy of the Austrian Alpine Club

08/25/2026

We are so happy to learn that no injuries have been reported in this accident today involving a UH-60 Blackhawk, from Kentucky. No Colorado soldiers or aircraft, our Colorado Hoist Rescue Team partners, were involved. Whew.

There were four people onboard. No injuries have been reported, according to the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office.

08/23/2026

We're very happy to read Louis is back enjoying our mountains. This was a tough rescue. Our thanks go, as well, to our co-responders: Colorado Army National Guard Aviation, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group (the civilian hoist rescue techs), Clear Creek EMS and Flight For Life Colorado.

Ultrarunner Louis Savona fell 100 feet down a Colorado thirteener, waited four hours for a Black Hawk rescue, and spent the next eight months learning to run again — and training for the CCC 100.

08/20/2026

We have learned of the passing of Robin Schmutzler, a former member of Alpine. Robin was on the team 1984-1991 and was a mission coordinator, team president and field director.

08/04/2026

It was our privilege to support this hike up Mt. Blue Sky for the sunrise ceremony.

08/04/2026

Twice we've visited Cirque to learn from them when they've been in Denver. This was two years ago.

Eight members of the Alpine Rescue Team visited the Cirque du Soleil’s traveling “Kooza” show for a tour with the technical director

07/31/2026

This morning we stood to honor Nathan Matthews, a Helitack firefighter, on the Floyd Hill I70 overpass alongside Evergreen Fire/Rescue, as his procession moved westward. He is the fourth firefighter killed in a burnover during the Knowles Fire near the Colorado-Utah border in Mesa County. Emergency agencies across our service area stood for him on bridges of Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties, with dozens more through counties to Grand Junction.
Nathan is the fifth emergency responder to lose their life this summer in Colorado, from firefighting. And just this week West Metro Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Jarrod Leonard was critically injured during rescue training in Jefferson County. Our mission is always safety first, but dangerous stuff is what we do.

Please keep Nathan, 43, Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, 26, pilot Nicholas Dale of Sooke, British Columbia, and Jarrod Leonard in your thoughts.

Foothills Fire & Rescue, Indian Hills Fire Rescue, Genesee Fire Rescue, Clear Creek EMS, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office

07/31/2026

Ted Williams couldn’t pinpoint the exact spot where it happened on the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, but he’ll never forget the sight of the exploding picnic table.