Emergency Response

A backpacker looks at his phone. A satellite communication device is attached to the front of his backpack.

Satellite Communication Devices Plus a Field Review of ZOLEO

by Mary Cochenour May 18, 2021

written by Mary Cochenour

A few years ago, I was on a weekend backpacking trip in Montana’s remote Crazy Mountains when I rounded the bend on a rough patch of trail and found a solo backpacker lying in the dirt. A quick assessment revealed that the man had an obvious broken leg with a bulging deformity a few inches above his boot cuff. He was starting to go into shock and needed a medical evacuation as soon as possible.

We were tucked up in a canyon, far beyond the reach of cell service. I had been carrying around a satellite communication device for years, using it to text home and to grab weather reports in the backcountry. But now the time had come to use the device for its true and intended purpose — to call for help. I unlocked the SOS button, took a deep breath, and gave it a long, hard press. Within a couple of hours, a search and rescue helicopter plucked the injured hiker off the trail and delivered him to the nearest hospital for immediate reconstructive surgery.

Satellite communication can make backcountry rescue, like this one, quick and easy. This article tackles how satellite communication devices work, their value for peace of mind, and how I’ve used satellite communication in my personal outdoor adventures and in my work as a backpacking guide. Check out the growing list of top brands of devices, a comparison of retail prices and service plans, and an on-the-ground review of ZOLEO — one of the newer units to hit the satellite communication devices scene.

A search and rescue person sits on a rocky alpine field. A helicopter circles overhead. — *Summit County Search and Rescue team waits for a helicopter pick up during a rescue mission on one of Colorado’s high altitude peaks.* Photo Credit: Summit County Search and Rescue

How Satellite Communication Devices Work

Satellite communication devices allow you to send and receive text messages even when you’re out of range of cell service. Compact and lightweight, these devices send your message to a satellite in orbit and bounce that message back to earth, namely a phone number or email of your choosing. Most devices use Bluetooth to link up to your phone, making the out-of-this-world messaging experience feel and operate like ordinary texting.

Without question, satellite communication devices have changed the backcountry experience. They give you the ability to reach out from the deepest corners of the wilderness and connect with the civilized world. They bring a sense of security and peace of mind that was impossible to gain before the advent of two-way messaging without mobile service.

Best Uses for Satellite Communication Devices

Over the years, I have found myself relying on these devices in the following ways:

When settling down in camp for the night, I’ll often send a text message home to let my family know my location. I know they are relieved to get my message that I’ve had another safe day in the backcountry.
I always bring my satellite communication device when driving through remote places with little to no cell service, like Yellowstone National Park. This brings me a sense of security knowing that I can always call for help in case of an accident or car trouble on the highway.
When I am on a long backcountry trip and the weather changes unexpectedly, I pull up a current weather report to get a picture of what conditions are headed my way.
When trying to meet up with a shuttle driver (or bush plane in Alaska), I’ll send a message with my location to let them know that my group is ready for pick up.
I carry the device on the outside of my backpack and within reach to push the SOS button in case of an emergency. Though I have only pressed the SOS button once, it is the primary reason I carry the device.

Whether out on a day hike or a multi-week adventure to wild places like Alaska or the Wind River High Route, I use Gaia GPS for all my mapping and navigation needs. The app lets me know my exact location in the backcountry, plus it has all the US Geological Survey’s quadrangle maps — my go-to map source for backcountry route planning and navigation. I also carry a two-way satellite communication device to share my location with other backpacking guides, family, and emergency services if that need arises.

Satellite Communication Device Review

Today, many brands of satellite communication devices have entered the market, including Bivy Stick, Somewear, ZOLEO, Garmin, SPOT, and more. Competition has been good for the consumer, drilling down prices and bringing better, easier-to-use technology. The devices come in all shapes and sizes, and with different service plans and prices. Here’s a snapshot of what’s out there.

A chart compares five satellite communication devices: Garmin inReach Mini, ZOLEO, Bivystick Blue, SPOT X, and Somewhere Global Hotspot. — Prices as of December, 2020.

Mary’s ZOLEO Review

I’ve tested the ZOLEO unit while guiding backpacking trips for Andrew Skurka Adventures in the Brooks Range in Alaska and Yosemite National Park. One of my clients have carried a ZOLEO unit on one of my trips. We put our ZOLEO devices to the test, sending messages from places without cell service, like Tuolumne Meadows Campground and places far off the trail.

ZOLEO offered all the features I was used to having on my old Delorme inReach SE and Garmin satellite communication devices. ZOLEO connects to the Iridium satellite network and pulls weather from Dark Sky forecasting service, the same systems used by Garmin.

ZOLEO’s two-way messaging on the unlimited plan was seamless and reliable. The battery was well suited for backcountry travel with 200 hours of use available. The device was sturdy and small enough to hang on my backpack without being annoying, although I’ll admit I’m an ounce-counter and would like to see the device lose a little bit of weight and size.

What stood out about the ZOLEO unit was the seamless messaging between satellite, cell phone, and wi-fi communication. ZOLEO detects which communication is available and selects the most efficient, cost-effective method to use. ZOLEO offers each account a dedicated phone number and email, making it easy to share your contact information with friends. I found the ZOLEO app’s interface easy and intuitive to set up and use.

Best of all, ZOLEO knocks it out of the park on affordability with a $199 suggested retail price for the device. Its service plans are generous too. While the lowest service plan is a few bucks more per month than some of the other plans out there, ZOLEO’s plan offers substantial messaging for its price with 25 satellite messages per month. ZOLEO’s mid-price “In Touch” plan is robust with a whopping 250 satellite messages per month, making me believe there is little reason to purchase the more expensive, unlimited monthly plan.

What Happens When You Press the SOS Button

To activate the SOS button on ZOLEO, press and hold the SOS button on the device for 3 seconds. As an added safety feature, this button works even when you have the device powered off. You can also activate the SOS button from the ZOLEO app on your phone by selecting the SOS tab and pressing the SOS button on your phone’s screen.

Once the SOS is activated, a 10-second countdown begins and it feels a little bit like a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. This countdown gives you time to cancel the SOS alert in case of an unintended push of the button. Yes, this actually happened to me once. I accidentally sat on my inReach SE at Trail Camp below the summit of Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. I leaned up against my backpack to take a break and thought, ‘where is that siren coming from?’ I realized my mistake and jumped up to cancel the SOS alert before the message was sent.

If you don’t cancel the SOS message, the device will send the SOS alert with your location to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) in Texas. GEOS IERCC coordinates response worldwide and is linked to the SOS button on all the satellite communication devices listed in this article. Once GEOS receives the SOS message, they will start a conversation with you by text and exchange information about your emergency. Local first responder crews will be dispatched to your location accordingly.

If you have a ZOLEO unit, you can schedule a test SOS alert to experience this process first hand.

Who Pays for Rescue

Sending an SOS alert is part of your paid service plan with these devices. Rescue, especially if it involves a helicopter, can be costly, or it could cost nothing at all. The cost depends on the location of the rescue. Check with the national park or public lands agency you plan to visit to determine who responds in the event of an emergency and if there is a cost for search and rescue within the agency’s jurisdiction. If the financial risks seem high, consider purchasing an insurance policy like the one offered by GEOS.

To Connect or Not to Connect, That is the Question

I always carry a satellite communicator when I am traveling in an area without cell service, and sometimes I’ve taken heat for it. After all, the whole point of going into the backcountry is to get away from technology and communication with the outside world. I agree wholeheartedly. But I think it’s up to you to decide how much contact to have with the world back home. If you have the will power, you can bring a satellite communicator and only rely upon it in the event of an emergency. Or you can decide to bring your texting addictions with you. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

May 18, 2021

Two members of search and rescue wait on a mountain summit. A helicopter is flying behind them.

The Best Winter Backcountry Tips from Search and Rescue

by Mary Cochenour November 23, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

Winter looms with promises of bluebird skies, powder stashes, and possibly record crowds in the backcountry this season. We’re excited to kick off the first episode of our winter backcountry series on the Out and Back podcast with Colorado’s Summit County Rescue Group Mission Coordinator Charles Pitman. In this episode, Pitman runs through some of his best winter safety tips. He also gives us the temperature of what the upcoming backcountry ski season looks like from a search-and-rescue perspective. Pitman says it might not be pretty.

“The backcountry retailers are selling out of gear already. There are some who said they have sold out for the year, both retailers and manufacturers. So that tells me this could be a rather interesting year for people going into the backcountry who really are probably not too prepared to do it.” Pitman says. “We want to try to get the message out on what they need to consider.”

Two rescue crew members rappel down a steep snow filled couloir in Colorado.

Pitman recaps the strain his organization felt when the ski areas shut down last spring due to the pandemic. He recalls jammed trailheads and skiers and snowboarders leaving the parking lots without crucial avalanche safety equipment. The backcountry continued to draw massive crowds through the summer and into fall, bringing with it an unprecedented number of rescues this year.

During one week in October alone, the Summit County Rescue Group assisted a lost mountain biker, an injured hiker, and a technical body recovery mission from one of the area’s 14,000-foot peaks. Pitman says the number of rescues are at an all-time high and far surpassing the 150 calls for service the team received last year.

“Certainly my antennas are going up about how we need to prepare. We’re starting to do our preparations as a team earlier. Of course, that’s more difficult now. We don’t have the same types of meetings we had before because we have to cope with the Covid restrictions and considerations that we take very, very seriously here,” Pitman says. “I’m a bit concerned about what’s going to happen this winter.”

Tune in to Learn Winter Safety Tips

Pitman enlightens us on what backcountry enthusiasts can do to stay safer this winter. He delivers practical advice, including how to recognize and avoid avalanche danger in backcountry travel, what to do if you need help, and what you should put in your backpack to be prepared in case something goes wrong. Backcountry skiers, winter hikers, climbers, and snowmobilers will not want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming snow season and what rescue professionals are doing to prepare for the busy season ahead. Plus, hear a few of Pitman’s most harrowing rescue stories.

Make sure you are prepared this winter season. Learn more about avalanche safety at avalanche.org. Find and sign up for an avalanche education class with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education. Learn more about Summit Country Rescue Group and donate to your local search and rescue organization.

A helicopter hovers over a high mountain peak in Colorado and a search and rescue crew member waits on the mountain for pick up. — Summit County Search and Rescue crews carry out a mission earlier this year on one of Colorado’s high-altitude peaks.

Episode Highlights:

4:30: The pandemic made the backcountry around Denver busy this year and many skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers were ill-equipped for safety.
8:15: This year has been a record-setting rescue season in Summit County, Colorado.
12:00: Search and Rescue is preparing for a busy winter season.
13:15: Here’s how COVID 19 has changed search and rescue missions in Summit County.
17:00: Practice your avalanche transceiver skills at a beacon park.
18:15: More people are taking avalanche classes, but these classes are limited and filling up quickly this year.
19:00: Get search and rescue’s tips to avoid avalanches: get the avalanche forecast, check the weather, and stick to low-angle slopes if you aren’t sure about the danger.
25:25: Avalanche forecasting is not an exact science and sometimes you can do all the right things and still get into trouble.
26:15: A case study about five people who died in an avalanche: what went wrong?
27:00: Is technology giving people a false sense of security and too much confidence?
32:00: Colorado typically has a weaker snowpack and experiences more avalanches than other areas of the country.
36:00: A GPS mapping app on your phone, like Gaia GPS, would reduce the number of rescue calls because people could see exactly where they are on the map and easily find the trail if they get lost.
39:00: Two-way satellite communication devices help search and rescue crews to understand the help you need, plus Pitman tells us what happens when you press the SOS button.
42:00: Pitman says call for help sooner rather than later, it could save a life.
48:40: Make a plan for your backcountry adventure but don’t succumb to summit fever, be flexible and willing to adjust plans when you get out on the mountain because conditions may change rapidly.
53:00: Most search and rescue crews are volunteers and they do it for the heartwarming stories with uplifting endings.

Next Episode: Snow Safety Tips with Avalanche Expert and Author Bruce Tremper

Avalanche expert Bruce Tremper is standing in a snow pit and writing down his observation in a booklet. He is wearing a yellow jacket and snow hat.

If the solitude of the backcountry beckons to you this winter, you won’t want to miss the next episode of the Out and Back podcast with avalanche expert and author Bruce Tremper. Winter hikers, skiers, splitboarders, and snowmobilers will appreciate how Tremper breaks down his “low-risk travel ritual” to minimize avalanche exposure in the backcountry. Learn how to use his tips on your own trips to stay safer in the backcountry this winter season.

Tremper begins this conversation with a story from 1978 — a time when he wasn’t an expert at all. Tremper was working for Bridger Bowl Ski Area in Montana, installing the resort’s Pierre’s Knob lift. He ignored his supervisor’s warning to avoid crossing a slide path under the lift line. But Tremper thought hiking around the slide path was too much work. He skied across the steep starting zone, triggered an avalanche, and was swept away in a pre-season slide. This scene is the opener to Tremper’s critically acclaimed book on snow safety: Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. In this interview, Tremper reflects on how surviving that avalanche sent him on a life-long trajectory to study snow science.

The cover of Tremper's snow safety book Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain. The cover shows a skier catching air off a cliff in steep terrain.

“That was a huge wake-up call for me … I should have died in that thing,“ Tremper said. “It changed my life and I went ‘whoa, I want to learn as much as I can about avalanches.’”

After the Bridger Bowl incident, Tremper earned a Master’s degree in geology and meteorology from the University of Montana, Bozeman. He studied under famed avalanche experts of the time, eventually becoming one himself. Tremper worked on snow safety teams for two Montana resorts before landing his “dream job” as an avalanche forecaster for the Alaska Avalanche Center. When the funding dried up in Alaska, Tremper took on the director role at Utah’s Avalanche Center. Then he literally wrote the book — actually three books — about avalanche safety.

Now enjoying the first years of retirement, Tremper gives us his insights into all he’s learned in his 40-year career in snow safety. Tune in to learn about Tremper’s personal routine for avalanche safety. Tremper emphasizes that his safety plan begins at home with gathering the right gear, checking the local avalanche forecast, and plotting out a safe route on the maps. He talks about the importance of picking the right partner for winter backcountry travel, watching for clues and observations on the way to the mountain, and guarding against the human factors that lead people to make mistakes in the backcountry.

To reap more of Tremper’s wisdom, check out his books Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, Avalanche Essentials, and Avalanche Pocket Guide (Mountaineers Books). And listen to the podcast to hear Tremper explain how to use each book in your progression about avalanche safety and snow science.

Last Episode: Endurance Superstar Courtney Dauwalter

Check back on our last episode to find out what drives the queen of ultra running Courtney Dauwalter to set seemingly impossible goals and what fuels her to succeed. Dauwalter is renowned in the ultra running community and beyond for her definitive wins at everything from the Moab 240-mile trail race, to the Western States 100 Endurance Run, to the 100-mile Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc.

In this episode, Shanty and Gaia GPS writer and professional ultra runner Abby Levene catch up with Dauwalter fresh off her win at Big’s Back Yard Ultra, perhaps the strangest running event of all. The ultimate test of the mind, athletes run 4.16-mile loops on the hour every hour until only one person remains. This year, that person was Dauwalter — 68 hours and 283 miles later.

A self-proclaimed lover of long-inseams (she exclusively runs in baggy, basketball-style shorts), candy, nachos, and beer, Dauwalter does not fit the mold of your typical spreadsheet-obsessed ultra runner. She shares how her unbridled passion for running outside for as long as possible allowed her to quit her day job as a high school science teacher and enter the world of professional endurance running. She also dives into the role her analytical-minded husband Kevin plays in her success, and how the duo’s strengths complement each other to form a fun, focused, and formidable team. Also, hear about how Dauwalter’s Colorado Trail FKT attempt this summer ended in the hospital.

Runners and non-runners alike won’t want to miss this episode to catch Dauwalter’s infectious optimism, learn what drives her to push barriers, and to pick up some tips on training your brain to endure when your body tells you to stop. Follow Dauwalter on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with her physical, phycological, and gustatory adventures.

Meet the Hosts

Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

Mary smiles while lying down and resting her head on a rock. She's wearing a purple jacket, gloves, and a black buff around her ears.

Mary “Hiker Midnight” Cochenour

Mary is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. Before joining Gaia GPS, Mary worked as a lawyer, newspaper journalist, ski patroller, Grand Canyon river guide, and USFS wilderness ranger.

When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska. Follow Mary’s adventures on Instagram. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip and how to read a topo map.

November 23, 2020

Emergency Response Gaia GPS New Features

Wildfire and Air Quality Maps Now Available for Free on gaiagps.com and the Mobile App

by Julien Friedland September 16, 2020

written by Julien Friedland

In response to the wildfires ravaging the country, all active wildfire and air quality maps are now available for free on gaiagps.com. These maps allow you to track wildfires using heat-detected satellite data and information reported from people on-site at the fires. You can also view current and upcoming estimated levels of pollutants with Air Quality maps.

The now free maps include the Wildfire (satellite), Wildfire (current), Air Quality (current), and Air Quality (tomorrow). All four Wildfire and Air Quality maps are available on gaiagps.com and in the mobile app on iOS and Android.

Click here to view the free maps on gaiagps.com

Learn About Wildfire and Air Quality Maps

Wildfire (satellite) Map

The Wildfires heat-detection map on Gaia GPS sources satellite data from NASA to show where wildfires are currently burning worldwide. This map updates several times each day to give you up-to-date information from NASA’s MODIS and VIIRS satellites.

wildfires satellite heat-detection map of California

Wildfire (current) Map

View current wildfire conditions with data sourced and updated daily from USGS. Note that some fire boundaries will be out of date or incorrect, and recent fires may not have been added yet due to data being reported from the sites. Pair this map with the Wildfires (satellite) map for the most up to date information.

Current wildfire map showing large fire outside of Chico, California

Air Quality (current) and Air Quality (tomorrow) Maps

Use the Air Quality forecast maps to view current and next-day estimated levels of air pollutants anywhere in the United States. Sourced from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow program, Air Quality maps indicate pollutant levels of moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous conditions.

Air quality index map showing poor air quality in Oregon and Washington.

September 16, 2020

A closed area sign at Big Sky ski resort in Montana.

Emergency Response Gaia GPS

Search and Rescue Efforts Stressed During COVID-19 Pandemic

by Mary Cochenour April 9, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

This week, we took an on-the-ground look through the eyes of search and rescue (SAR) personnel at how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting some popular outdoor destinations. We spoke with first responder groups in the Colorado Rockies, Lake Tahoe Basin, and Joshua Tree National Park.

There have been a variety of state, local, and park/forest-level restrictions that have impacted how people get out there, but people have still sought the wild as a refuge from quarantine. SAR personnel we spoke to said people need a way to get outside, but a common theme we heard was urging people to stay closer to home and be safer. Because of the pandemic, rescue is complicated and outcomes can be worse due to the over-taxed medical and other facilities of the country.

Joshua Tree National Park: Now Closed

Just a three-hour drive from the greater Los Angeles area, Joshua Tree National Park is one of California’s most accessible outdoor playgrounds. When California instituted its stay-at-home order on March 19, the park and its tiny gateway towns instantly became an escape for city residents looking for fresh air and room to roam.

But the increasing crowds caused concerns about the spread of Coronavirus and Joshua Tree quickly responded by closing its entrance gates on March 21, while still allowing non-motorized access inside the park’s boundaries. The partial closure didn’t deter visitors, who continued hiking and biking on park roads and trails.

John Lauretig, Executive Director of Friends of Joshua Tree, the non-profit funding partner to the Joshua Tree National Park Search and Rescue Unit, said the limited access was causing a pile-up of cars — and people — at the park’s entrance gates.

Hundreds of vehicles parked along the road along the West entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Video provided by John Lauretig, executive director of the Friends of Joshua Tree, the main funding partner and volunteer source for Joshua Tree National Park Search and Rescue team.

Springtime visitors to the park have kept Lauretig’s team on its toes. In March alone, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue, along with park service rangers and San Bernardino County medics, responded to four separate climbing rescues: one that required a helicopter transport and three others that resulted in ambulance rides to the local hospital.

On April 1, Joshua Tree National Park officially shut down all public access, which will hopefully quiet search and rescue calls for Lauretig’s crew.

“This is definitely not the time to be doing risky things and end up in the emergency room with a broken leg, using up valuable emergency medical resources,” Lauretig said.

An open hatchback on a sport utility vehicle showing ropes and rescue gear inside. — *Emergency crews are ready for rescue in the Joshua Tree National Park area.*
*Photo courtesy of Friends of Joshua Tree*

With the park completely shut down, Lauretig said he hopes visitor traffic in the park’s gateway towns of Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, and Joshua Tree dissipates. And so far it has. Lauretig said the days following the park’s total closure were quiet.

“We really want people to just stay at home now because we don’t want our small town to be affected by COVID-19,” Lauretig said, adding concern that an increased visitor population would strain local medical resources.

Lauretig said he understands the need to get outside but urges people to stick close to home, pick the less popular paths, and go outside at the least popular times of the day.

“Try getting outside in the hours right after dawn and just before dusk when there are less people out,” Lauretig said.

Colorado – Backcountry Skiers Out in Force

A similar situation has unfolded in Colorado, where skiers and snowboarders have been pouring into the state’s mountain zones ever since Colorado’s governor ordered all ski resorts to stop lift service on March 15.

Summit County’s high-elevation peaks, including several of Colorado’s most famous 14ers, are easy access to Denver’s population at only an hour or so drive from downtown. Consequently, trailheads in the area are packed and those crowds are keeping the Summit County Rescue Group, the area’s local search and rescue volunteer organization, at the ready.

Charles Pitman, Mission Coordinator of the Summit County Rescue Group in Colorado said his crew conducted an unofficial survey in late March at one of the busiest trailheads in the county — Quandary Peak. He discovered that half the cars parked at the trailhead were local, from Summit County, and the other half were from the front range, more than an hour’s drive away in the Denver area.

“There have been long discussions about whether this is an appropriate thing to be doing given the order to stay closer to home,” Pitman said. “People should be staying close to their homes, and if there’s no skiing nearby, then they should find something else to do.”

Pitman is also concerned about the lack of space at these crowded trailheads.

“There are 20 to 30 cars in the parking lot and everyone is standing around talking to each other,” he said. “The social distancing aspect is not there.”

A "area closed" sign at a ski resort with a big snow-covered mountain in background. — *Ski resorts nationwide stopped lift service in mid-to-late March in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Here, Big Sky Resort in Montana closed on March 15.*

Pitman said they’ve had to change response protocols to comply with social distancing practices to keep their team safe from exposure to the virus. Group briefings at the command center have been nixed and turned into individual briefings conducted outside in the parking lot. Situations in the past where the entire search and rescue team would have been called upon have now been pared down to teams of four-to-eight crew members.

These measures can slow response time, Pitman said.

Pitman said the fewer calls the better right now. Every time search and rescue gets called out, during the pandemic or not, the responders risk injury. Crews being called out during the pandemic now face the added risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Pitman said he hopes people are willing to self-regulate their conduct and be less risky in the outdoors.

“I’d ask people to pick a more conservative line right now,” Pitman said. “There is no ski patrol out there — we’re the ski patrol.”

Come on folks. Let’s be smart. This is not social distancing. #MayorParker pic.twitter.com/on4ygQauRY
— Mayor Parker The Snow Dog (@officialsnowdog) March 21, 2020

This video is shared with permission by Mayor Parker The Snow Dog @officialsnowdog

Pitman added that in easy-access areas, like Loveland pass, he’s noticing a lot of novice backcountry users. On a recent weekend day, Pitman checked in with dozens of skiers and snowboards at the parking areas at Loveland Pass and discovered that only one was wearing an avalanche beacon.

“Maybe it’s better that people do a little introspection and recognize that these are different times right now, perhaps they need to hang up the snowshoes and the skis and do what the governor said to do, which is stay close to home and don’t get too close to other people,” Pitman said.

Lake Tahoe – Fewer Search and Rescue Volunteers

In some places, COVID-19 has put a strain on the number of volunteers available to respond to search and rescue missions. That has been the case in El Dorado County, California, where the Sheriff’s Office is tasked with responding to search and rescue missions from South Lake Tahoe, over the Sierra crest, and down to the gold rush towns surrounding Placerville, California.

Like most other search and rescue teams in the nation, El Dorado County relies on volunteers to carry out rescue missions. Some volunteer members have become unavailable for call out, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Prencipe said.

“The reality is that there are so many people that are in self-quarantine and that’s affecting how many volunteers we have available,” Prencipe said. “We have less volunteers that are able to respond and go out to calls.“

A shadow of a helicopter on a snow field with ski tracks

Navigating the Line Between Access and Stay-at-Home Orders

When drafting its shelter-in-place orders, many states seem to recognize the benefit that the expanses of public lands bring to its residents.

For example, Colorado’s shelter-in-place order, which took effect on March 26, 2020, mandates that Coloradans take extreme measures to avoid COVID-19 and stay at home with the exception of essential activity, such as buying food or seeking medical care. In a separate document, Colorado’s governor clarified that outdoor activity would be permitted for the health and well being of Colorado residents, including “walking, hiking, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, biking or running” provided such activities adhered to social distance protocols.

Other states, like California and Washington, have signed similar shelter-in-place orders, permitting outdoor access close to home and with social distancing practices. Montana went a step further and permitted access to public lands provided that Montanans refrain from high-risk activities such as backcountry skiing “in a manner inconsistent with avalanche recommendations or in closed terrain.”

Hikers, bikers, climbers, and sightseers seem to face a conundrum as they attempt to navigate the line between complying with government orders and maintaining their physical and mental health by visiting the fresh air and expanses of public land.

All three search and rescue leaders advised that people should still seek to get outside, but they ask that people dial back risky behaviors to reduce the chances of needing rescue in the backcountry.

“No one ever plans to get injured or lost. They don’t expect it to happen, but then it does and we get called out,” Prencipe said. “Maybe now is a good time to avoid backcountry places with a higher danger element for now, and maybe stick to the walking trails by your house.”

April 9, 2020

Tall orange and yellow flames sweep through a forest at night time.

Emergency Response Gaia GPS

Eight Ways to Help Victims and Firefighters of the Australian Bushfires

by Mary Cochenour January 9, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Deadly bushfires continue to ravage southeastern Australia, leaving more than 15.6 million acres burned and well over 100 fires still blazing out of control. As scorching summer heat and high winds continue, firefighters see no relief in sight and officials expect the fire season to continue through the months ahead.

With this long-lasting crisis, emergency responders say that financial donations are the best way to help both victims and fire crews battling the bushfires. Whether you’re down under or oceans away, consider donating to these eight Australian organizations.

Flames burning grassy, open hillside with widely dispersed, low trees in the distance. There is a dark sky in the background and charred land in the foreground.

Donate to organizations that help victims

1. Australian Red Cross

In times of disaster, the Red Cross cares for the health and well-being of disaster-affected people, noting on its website that financial donations, rather than goods, help communities recover sooner. Currently, the Australian Red Cross is supporting thousands of people in 69 evacuation centers who have been displaced from their homes due to the bushfire emergency.

Australian Red Cross volunteers are working to deliver basic needs like food and water, helping victims locate missing loved ones, and have started a cash grant program to help people meet immediate needs. Donations to Australian Red Cross help support these recovery programs and allow the organization to continue its one-on-one support to the thousands of victims who have been devastated by the fires.

2. Salvation Army Australia

Salvation Army Australia provides customized assistance for each individual or community in need, including financial assistance, housing support, mental health support, community building, and material assistance. Currently, Salvation Army Australia is supplying meals to both evacuees and wildfire responders involved in the Australian bushfire crisis. The organization is unable to accept donated goods at this time due to the lack of storage and the complex logistics involved in distributing goods in disaster-affected communities.

According to Salvation Army Australia’s website, financial donations are the most effective way to help all residents in need by allowing fire victims the opportunity to decide how to best use the much-needed funds to support their local communities.

3. St. Vincent de Paul Society

Thousands of residents left their homes this week as bushfires crept into suburban areas, forcing evacuations all over southeast Australia. St. Vincent de Paul Society focuses on helping victims deal with the aftermath of the fire. Financial donations help the organization to continue to provide food and clothing to people who have lost everything in the fire, pay unexpected bills that accumulate during the recovery process, make referrals to other organizations that provide crisis accommodations, and foster emotional and practical support after homes are lost.

4. Save the Children

More than 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Australia’s bushfires, leaving many families displaced and living in emergency shelters. Save the Children organization recognizes that kids become the most vulnerable victims in times of disaster. To help ease the traumatic effect of the fires, Save the Children is setting up “child-friendly spaces” across brushfire-affected areas. A donation of just $85 can help start a child-friendly space where youngsters can safely process their devastating experience by giving them a place to be children again.

Large range and yellow flames rip through a silhouetted forest at night.

Donate to organizations that support firefighters

5. Country Fire Authority

Currently, more than 2,700 firefighters are battling blazes across southeastern Australia with more fire crews on the way. Australia’s Country Fire Authority is a volunteer and community-based fire and emergency services organization that helps to protect 3.3 million people living in the Victoria region of Australia, where fires have been burning out of control. A donation to this organization will help keep firefighters working the front lines around the clock.

6. New South Wales Rural Fire Service

The bushfires have tragically claimed the lives of three New South Wales Rural Fire Service firefighters. Learn about the firefighters and donate to their families here to help them through this crisis. In addition, options exist here to make a donation to specific brigades or the organization as a whole, helping to keep the more than 2,100 rural fire brigades on the fire lines and protecting over 95 percent of New South Wales’ landmass.

A baby koala catches a ride on an adult koala's back as the adult is walking across pavement.

Donate to organizations that help wildlife

7. Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

Australia’s bushfires are burning in the country’s prime koala habitat and an estimated 25,000 koalas have died with many more injured and in critical condition. Donations to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital go directly to the rescue and treatment of sick, injured, and orphaned koalas, including helping them through their release back to natural habitat. In addition, the Koala Hospital also works on preservation and expansion of Koala habitat and the collection of information regarding habitat health, disease, and nutrition as well as education campaigns to increase public awareness of everything involving the koala.

Follow the progress of koala burn victims at the hospital here.

8. WIRES Wildlife Rescue

Wildlife experts estimate that 500 million animals have perished in the Australian fires and many more have been injured. WIRES rehabilitates and preserves Australian wildlife year-round but has been especially busy during the bushfire emergency. In December alone, WIRES took in more than 20,000 calls on its emergency hotline and rescued more than 3,300 sick, injured, and orphaned animals. Donations to WIRES help pay for the rescue and care of animals injured in the bushfires and uses donation money to train and support the more than 2,600 volunteers out in the field.

Donate to the organization that suits you best

This list is not exhaustive – there are many other places you can donate. As you search, be on the lookout for scams. There have been 47 reported cases of scams surrounding donations to the Australian bushfires. To learn more about how to spot a scam, click here.

Gaia GPS for emergency responders and people affected by the fires

Gaia GPS offers free memberships to emergency responders. We’re also offering free memberships to anyone who was affected by these devastating bushfires. Email support@gaiagps.com to learn more.

January 9, 2020

Emergency Response Gaia GPS How-To Hunting New Maps

View Areas Affected by Past Wildfires in Gaia GPS

by Nathan Copeland October 4, 2017

written by Nathan Copeland

The Gaia GPS map catalog now includes historical wildfires in the U.S. from 2000 to 2018. The new interactive premium overlay displays wildfire areas in shades of red on the map, with more recent fires colored brighter shades of red. In the iOS app, you can tap on a fire to see the official name, year and acreage of the fire.

Find and add the new overlay by going to the Premium Maps > Feature/Weather Overlays category of the Layers Menu.

Why use the Wildfire Overlay?

Many backcountry users can make use of the new wildfire overlay.

Hunters

Don’t be surprised by a recently burned valley when you crest a ridge line on your hunts. Referencing the US Wildfires overlay with Gaia GPS can save you miles and hours of scouting.

Wildfires also create dynamic shifts in habitat quality and forage abundance for big game species. The US Wildfires overlay can also help identify these areas.

Wildland Firefighters

Layer US Wildfires with a Satellite base map to estimate fuel loaded in previously burned areas and identify areas of new growth. You can do this out in the field while working active wildfires by downloading an offline copy of the overlay.

Search and Rescue

The US Wildfires overlay can help identify areas of dense new undergrowth, while coordinating search efforts.

Knowing past major environmental events in an area like wildfires, also act as key planning tools for search and rescue personnel.

Hikers

Thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and other multi-day trails throughout the U.S. will benefit from using the new overlay.

Be prepared with alternate routes, campsites, and water sources before hiking trail sections that have been affected by past wildfires.

Premium Membership

October 4, 2017

Adventures Emergency Response Featured Gaia GPS User Profiles

Gaia GPS Assists in Backcountry Rescue

by Ruthie Irvin October 11, 2016

written by Ruthie Irvin

Wood River Fire & Rescue execute a rescue mission using Gaia GPS

From Dispatch to Planning

On June 13, 2016, three fire departments responded to a technical rescue in the Wood River Fire & Rescue service area in Idaho. The patient had tendon damage from falling, as well as some broken leg bones. The injury happened in the backcountry, but Wood River’s extraction team knew the general area—west flank of Kelly Mountain—and headed out immediately.

The victim’s spouse shared a set of GPS coordinates, but the team received them on the road, with no access to the internet for planning. Fortunately, two people on the initial rescue team had the Gaia GPS app on their devices, with downloaded maps for recreational backcountry skiing in the area. After inputting the coordinates, they could study the maps in Gaia to answer questions like, “How close can we get by road?” and “What’s the best approach for access?”

On their way to the location, the Hasty team (first group sent on a rescue, to determine patient’s condition and plan the overall rescue) received a set of updated coordinates, which they then mapped in Gaia GPS. The update didn’t add up—the new location added 10 minutes of flight time to the rescue, which indicated a drastic error. “We know these aren’t the right coordinates because I can see this isn’t anywhere near where these people said they were,” Bass Sears said of the erroneous points.

Since the hikers frequently adventured in the area, the team knew to stick with the initial Kelly Mountain spot. Review of the dispatch calls later revealed that a simple switch between Degrees Decimal Minutes and Decimal Degrees coordinates accounted for the issue.

The rescue team knew something seemed wrong with an “updated” set of coordinates (Shown on Gaia Topo in feet)

The Rescue

Stokes litter: a stretcher designed specially for use around obstacles

Once the Wood River team reached the injured patient, they established a need to carry them via a Stokes litter, and descend 1500 vertical feet to the nearest dirt road that was accessible by air transport. The silence of their initial ascent quickly filled with tons of chatter about the terrain, the maneuvers required to successfully complete the rescue, and radio traffic.

A team of 12-14 people assigned to the rescue on foot, only 2 of them paid full-time employees, worked together to deliver the patient to safety. Sears said that even an hour or two planning for the rescue would have eliminated airlift assistance that day, but using coordinates and Gaia GPS to develop their plan meant the difference. After 6-8 hours of transport, and four helicopter loads of rescue equipment and personnel dropped at the staging area, they safely delivered the patient to the air ambulance.

Emergency responders rest after a job well done

The Power of Preparation

GPS technology changed emergency response work forever, but SAR and Fire departments can’t provide expensive standalone GPS units to the thousands of volunteers across the country—that’s where Gaia GPS comes in. At the end of last year, Gaia GPS started a pilot program to share the app and GaiaPro subscriptions free to emergency volunteers, like wildland firefighters and search & rescue responders. In the last 10 months, over 1,000 people have received this powerful navigation tool at no cost, and gone on to use it in their lifesaving work.

Sears cautions that GPS technology also serves a major purpose for the victim of an accident saying, “If you know where you are when you need to get rescued, it’s going to happen a lot faster.”

If you have questions about how Gaia GPS can help keep you safe in the backcountry, write to us at support@gaiagps.com for more information.

October 11, 2016

Load More Posts