Thurston Co. WA Explorer Search and Rescue

05/13/2026

Seattle Mountain Rescue - exploring new technologies.
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The all-volunteer search and rescue team is testing the wearable devices, which lift and propel a rescuer's legs with every stride, on real missions in the Cascades.

05/08/2026

Registration is open!

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue Conference!

We are excited to officially welcome attendees from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to join us October 30 – November 1, 2026 at the beautiful Cascade Camp & Conference Center in Yelm, Washington!

This year’s conference will bring together:
-Search & Rescue Volunteers
-Law Enforcement
-Firefighters
-Medical Providers
-Emergency Workers
-Outdoor Leaders
-Technical Rescue Personnel
…and many more from across the SAR community.

Attendees can expect:
✅ Hands-on and classroom-based training
✅ Expert instructors from around the region
✅ Networking with SAR professionals and volunteers
✅ Vendor expo and equipment demonstrations
✅ Lodging and meals included with conference registration
✅ Specialized courses covering search management, technical rescue, medical topics, search planning, field operations, leadership development, and more

Lodging is summer camp style with shared sleeping areas assigned by unit/team. Limited RV and tent camping spots are also available. There are passes available without lodging as well for our more local folks.

Prices increase July 1st — register early to secure your spot!

Registration:
https://www.pnwsarconference.com/registration

Conference Website:
https://www.pnwsarconference.com/

We cannot wait to bring the SAR community together for an incredible weekend of training, collaboration, and professional development.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

04/12/2026

"Meadows Man" .....
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On April 30, 2009, skeletal remains were found in a field near Meadows Elementary School.

A man—unknown. Unnamed. Unclaimed by time.

What was left behind told a small story: Levi’s jeans, boxer shorts, and knee-high white athletic socks with a green Nike logo. That was it. No identity. No answers.

He was entered into National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as UP8888. A number where a name should have been.

Years passed.

A DNA profile was created and run through Combined DNA Index System resulting in nothing coming back. Answers still unknown.

Then in 2025, the case was revisited by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and the King County Medical Examiner's Office using advanced forensic DNA methods and genetic genealogy. Funding support from Bob Ferguson, Nick Brown, and the Washington State Legislature helped make that work possible.

And finally… the silence broke.

He has been identified as Donald Myrel Nelson. Born April 18, 1960. Missing since February 1989, just weeks before his 29th birthday.

Thirty-five years gone without answers.

His family now has his name back. But they still deserve the truth of what happened to him.

This case is still active. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit continues to investigate his death.

If you know anything—no matter how small it feels—please speak up:
Email: [email protected]
Case #: 09-002677

Somewhere, someone knows a piece of this story.

And Donald deserves every last one of them to come forward.

04/06/2026

Great job team! We were able to contribute a robust team of twelve! Thank you to our lovely Soup Lady! She made a wonderful tortellini and meatball soup for our tired crew!
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03/02/2026

Thank you, Grays Harbor and King County for "elevating" our helicopter training! 🚁⛑️

02/28/2026

We had the pleasure of working with....
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02/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AsBzpx4vE/

Big news! New detective in town! With Detective Johnson's most recent promotion to Patrol Sergeant, our general detective position became vacant. It is with great excitement to announce that Officer Brown will now be referred to as Detective Brown, trading in his patrol uniform for a more casual attire 👮‍♂️👟🔎
On patrol, Detective Brown has already proven he can crack tough cases with sharp attention to detail, next-level patience, adaptability, and effective communication.
He’s also shown outstanding leadership during his time at TPD, serving as both a Fi****ms Instructor and a Field Training Officer — meaning he can solve the case, teach you how to solve the case, and make sure everyone qualifies at the range afterward. 💪🎯
For all these reasons, TPD couldn’t be more excited to see him step into this new role. Congratulations, Detective — we can’t wait to see you put the pieces together! 🧩👏

02/22/2026

Is the weather cold? Gray? Dark quickly? We must be training! It was a cold last night for trainees sleeping on the ground under a tarp shelter.

If we are training.... there is likely to be a Mission! (If only emergencies could be scheduled?!)

On behalf of TCWESAR, our ground search team and TSAR, our Search Management Team....Thank you to our partners who helped with the mission yesterday and today!

Washington Explorer Search and Rescue Kitsap Unit

Pierce County Explorer Search and Rescue

Mason County Search & Rescue

Teamwork! 🤩

02/17/2026

For our members.....

Please join us....

02/17/2026

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Send a message to learn more