Big Heart Big Hands

04/09/2022

Big Heart Big Hands, a Vail-based nonprofit, has partnered with Amazing Brains to connect individuals and families to registered therapists, coaches and counselors for “brain training” through its Stabilization Program. The goal is to provide services to those referred by Big Heart Big Hands with at least a 50% reduced rate for those who qualify.

Each year, Colorado Search and Rescue responds to about 3,600 calls for wilderness rescue assistance or support — more than any other state. Given that 2,800 people give about 500,000 hours of their time each year and spend about $1,500 out of pocket to respond to backcountry incidents, these volunteers are pushed to their limits physically, financially and mentally.

Big Heart Big Hands is working to connect volunteers, families and victims of wilderness rescue incidents to more mental health services at dramatically reduced rates and in many cases, free-of-charge. By partnering with local clinicians and organizations, BHBH is working to connect volunteers and their families to trained professionals who can address the unique needs of these individuals.

Each year, Colorado Search and Rescue responds to about 3,600 calls for wilderness rescue assistance or support — more than any other state. Given that 2,800 people give about 500,000 hours of their time each…

03/23/2022

We have been working on a lot and are excited to share some Big Heart Big Hands news with you!

READ MORE: https://mailchi.mp/bigheartbighands/april-2022-announcements

HIGHLIGHTS:
-New Development Director!
-Partnership with Amazing Brains
-2022 Fundraising Campaign: https://gofund.me/48e7139e

Big Heart Big Hands (BHBH) has been ramping up post-pandemic and needed a liaison to assist in rekindling the efforts of the organization ahead of the 2022 avalanche season. We’ve been in awe as Danielle Daugherty has taken BHBH under her wing for the past three months as Development Director. 

12/26/2021

Be careful out there. Things are very dangerous in the backcountry right now.

The avalanche message this morning is pretty simple. Traveling in avalanche terrain is not a good idea today. Please stick to low-angle slopes that are not connected to steeper slopes. We have very dangerous conditions in the backcountry and an Avalanche Warning for most of the Colorado mountains.
Yesterday there we're numerous near misses involving both avalanche workers and backcountry recreationalists. Avalanches are breaking wider than people expect. A backcountry skier was completely buried near Ophir in the North San Juan zone. They were rescued by their friends, dug out of the snow unconscious, and fortunately able to ski out under their own power. This picture is of a remotely triggered avalanche on Richmond Ridge in the Aspen zone. The group was avoiding the type of slope that avalanched, but took this picture from where they remotely triggered this slide.
Check the forecast at www.colorado.gov/avalanche to get more details about today's avalanche conditions.

10/10/2021

Jarod it’s been 7 years too long since you’ve been gone. May the sun never set on your spirit. Sending light to everyone who has lost a loved one in the backcountry. 🧡

03/03/2021

Awesome collabs happening to raise awareness for backcountry adventure prep + safety! 🎿

As an ambassador of TINCUP Mountain Whiskey, Ozturk was asked to complete the artwork as a part of the collaboration between TINCUP, American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and Weston Backcountry.

02/15/2021

Today, February 14, 2021 a backcountry snowboarder was caught and killed in an avalanche near Mt. Trelease.

“PRELIMINARY: A backcountry snowboarder traveling alone was caught, buried and killed in an avalanche. Searcher and Rescue personnel found the tourer buried with a deployed avalanche airbag. Part of the airbag was visible in the avalanche debris, but the tourer's head was covered (partial burial-critical). The avalanche occurred around 9:30 AM. It ran on an east facing slope above treeline, on a terrain feature known as Pat's K**b, elevation 12304 east of Mount Trelease.”

Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the person involved. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC will publish more information as it becomes available.

You can read the preliminary report on the CAIC website.

02/14/2021

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SPECIAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY
COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER/BOULDER CO
737 AM MST SUN FEB 14 2021

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER.

* WHAT...THE COLORADO AVALANCHE INFORMATION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SPECIAL AVALANCHE ADVISORY FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO.
Avalanche conditions are unusually dangerous.

* WHERE...CAIC Steamboat & Flat Tops...Front Range...Vail & Summit County...Sawatch...Aspen...Gunnison...Grand Mesa...North San Juan...South San Juan...Sangre De Cristo Zones covering all of the mountainous areas of Colorado

* WHEN...Beginning 7:00 AM Sunday February 14. Expires at 8:00 PM Monday February 15.

* IMPACTS...Backcountry avalanche conditions are unusually dangerous. You could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

* REASON...Very weak snowpack and additional snowfall.

* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Backcountry travelers should plan to take extra precautions. Use conservative decision making, cautious route finding and careful terrain evaluation.

Consult www.colorado.gov/avalanche for detailed information.

02/03/2021

02/03/2021

A multi-agency operation continues today near the Opus Hut between Silverton and Ophir following an avalanche yesterday which involved members of the Eagle County community. Our hearts go out to our friends and neighbors who have been impacted by this event, and out of respect for them, we ask that you be thoughtful with your comments.
https://www.vaildaily.com/news/eagle-valley/eagle-county-locals-reportedly-involved-in-avalanche-near-silverton/

12/21/2020

On Dec. 7, Governor Jared Polis proclaimed last week (Dec. 7-13) Colorado Backcountry Winter Safety Awareness Week. This past spring, as COVID-19 closed ski resorts, we saw more and more people venturing into the backcountry.…

12/11/2020

Planning a winter backcountry adventure? If you are going to travel in avalanche country, in addition to having the proper gear and knowing how to use it, remember to follow these rules:

1. Always go one at a time.
2. Never go above your partner, and get out of the way if you are below.
3. Have a plan for who’s first, who’s last, what slope you will be traveling, where you will be stopping and an escape route.
4. Always stay in voice or visual contact.
5. Alter your skiing or riding according to the danger.

Weather can change quickly, and avalanches can strike even the most experienced backcountry travelers. Always check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecast before you go at https://avalanche.state.co.us. If you aren’t comfortable with the danger level, don’t go.

Vail Mountain Rescue Group is partnering with search and rescue organizations across the state to promote Colorado Backcountry Safety Awareness Week. Throughout the week, we will be sharing information about how to safely and responsibly recreate in the outdoors. Learn more at https://bit.ly/2LeyVKI.