Collaborative efforts between Union and Wallowa Counties aid in Eagle Cap Wilderness Rescue
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – (Information from Union County Search and Rescue) On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 21, Union County 911 received a report from the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC) of a woman with a leg fracture near Glacier Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The patient was located at over 8,200’ elevation and approximately 11 miles from the nearest trailhead, so SAR team members from both Union and Wallowa Counties prepared for arduous ground access while plans were simultaneously made by the Union County Sheriff’s Office SAR incident commander for helicopter insertion.
A Life Flight Network helicopter was launched to attempt access, while the Oregon Army National Guard readied a hoist-capable medivac helicopter to respond from Redmond, OR, and Two Bear Air Rescue from Kalispell, MT stood by as a contingency hoist resource if needed. Given the very fortunate circumstance of having both weather suitable for flight and available aircraft, SAR team members then prepared for air insertion from the La Grande airport if the Life Flight helicopter could not land near the patient and/or needed additional assistance.
Fortunately, the Life Flight helicopter was able to land near the patient and move her to the aircraft with the help of others on scene. She was then transported by Life Flight to a regional hospital for treatment.
This incident serves as a valuable reminder of the critical importance of having an effective means to communicate in the backcountry, and also to always have a plan and supplies in the event that an emergency happens, as it can take an extended time for help to arrive in remote areas. We were very fortunate to have available aircraft, a suitable landing zone near the patient, and weather conditions conducive to flying during this incident, but that is often not the case, and being prepared to spend unplanned nights in the wilderness can save the life of you or someone you are with.
We are incredibly grateful for Wallowa County SAR’s swift response to our mutual aid request, and to our incredible partners at Life Flight, Two Bear Air Rescue, the Oregon Army National Guard, and Oregon Department of Emergency Management who make successful missions like this possible.
