King County Explorer Search and Rescue

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North Bend, WA
King County Explorer Search and Rescue

King County Explorer Search & Rescue (ESAR) is one of the largest SAR teams in the country and serves as King County's primary ground SAR resource.

ESAR makes outdoor recreation safer by providing critical SAR services and wilderness safety education.

08/20/2026

Registration for Course A: Orientation is OPEN.

Course A is the first step in the process toward becoming a member of ESAR and serving as a first responder in wilderness emergencies. After completing Course A, you'll be offered the opportunity to apply for a spot in the 2026-27 training class.

See the full 2026-2027 Training Calendar for more info!

https://www.kcesar.org/join-us/training-materials

07/27/2026

Just after 2:30 p.m. yesterday, ESAR was deployed to assist a hiker who fell around 15 feet near a ravine approximately 3.5 miles up the Denny Creek Trail, sustaining a serious leg injury.

While waiting for King County SAR teams to arrive, the hiker’s group used extra layers, padding, and an emergency blanket to keep their friend warm and comfortable. A passing hiker —who was also a member of a Pennsylvania SAR team and EMT— stopped to help monitor the hiker’s condition.

The rescue required a coordinated, multi-unit and agency response. Due to the steep, wet terrain where the subject was located, rescuers used technical rope systems to safely raise the patient back to the trail before beginning the evacuation. Bellevue Fire Department paramedics joined the rescue along the trail to continue patient care.

The evacuation covered steep and rocky terrain with multiple creek and bridge crossings, and crews reached the trailhead with the patient around 9:30 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who responded, including teams from ESAR, SPART, Seattle Mountain Rescue, King County 4x4 Search and Rescue, King County Incident Support Team, Regional Special Vehicles Unit - RSVU.org, and Bellevue (WA) Fire Department Paramedics, for another successful multi-agency rescue.

This mission is a great reminder that the Ten Essentials aren’t just for you—they can make a real difference when someone in your group is injured.

Search & Rescue is a free service in Washington. If you need help in the backcountry, call 911.

07/21/2026

We had an amazing time at the North Bend Block Party this weekend!

We love outreach because we get to talk to so many amazing people about what we do! Thank you to North Bend Downtown Foundation for having us!

And thank you to City of North Bend 's mayor for taking us up on a roof for some awesome views!

07/16/2026

Getting lost is rarely part of the plan and a little prep helps lessen the chance. Here are some top reasons people lose their way on the trail and how to avoid them.

👎 Bad Beta: Snow, overgrowth, or an unexpectedly long hike can all throw you off course. Check current trail reports using resources like Washington Trails Association before you head out.

🔀 Wrong Turns: Bring navigation (a paper map or GPS mapping, like Gaia, with maps downloaded for offline use) to catch wrong turns and keep you on the right path.

🌑 Night Fall: Darkness comes fast, especially if the hike runs long. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Don't rely on your phone only; you'll need the battery if things go sideways and you need to call for help.

And if you do get lost? Don’t panic. Stay calm, stay where you are, and call 911. SAR is free in Washington and available 24/7.

07/13/2026

ESAR Basic Training Season 2026-27 is coming soon!

ESAR Basic Training is an intensive 170-hour program spanning September through April. It’s designed to train outdoor enthusiasts who are making a commitment to serve as first responders in wilderness emergencies.

Registration for Course A: Orientation, the first step in 2026-27 training, will open in mid August.

After attending Course A, you'll be offered the opportunity to apply for a spot in the 2026-2027 Basic Training Class.

Please visit https://kcesar.org/join-us for the 2026-27 Training Calendar and more information.

07/03/2026

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in the litter? 🌲

After any injuries are stabilized, we pack you carefully and securely into the litter and then we all head out. Seven rescuers support and guide the litter at all times and you’ll hear us communicating continuously to safely navigate over terrain and around obstacles. You’ll likely see many different faces throughout! We rotate off the litter and trade positions so we can stay fresh and keep the ride as smooth as possible.

Getting a ride in the litter can take several hours depending on where on the trail you get injured but we do our best to support you in any way we can!

Hopefully, you won’t need a litter rescue but if you do have an emergency—call 911 for help. SAR is free in Washington and available 24/7.

➡️ The person enjoying the ride here is a friend and volunteer from Ski Patrol Rescue Team —not someone who needed a rescue—during one of our advanced litter training sessions.

06/19/2026

On Tuesday, ESAR assisted hikers who had been injured on Mt Si in a black bear encounter. While bear attacks are very rare, this is a good reminder that our mountains are home to 22,000 black bears in WA.

If you encounter a black bear on the trail:
👉Stop, assess the situation
👉Stand up, wave your arms above your head
👉Talk to it in a low, calm voice
👉Slowly move away (while keeping an eye on it) and leave the area

To help avoid bears encounters, hike in groups and make noise so you don't startle a bear. If you are in bear country, bring bear spray and know how to use it.

Remember: Do NOT run from black bears and if one charges, try to scare it off by making noise. If a black bear attacks, fight back.

Read more info on black bears in WA via the link in our bio.

Address

North Bend, WA
98045

Website

http://www.kcesar.org/

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