Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, March 23, 2019

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

While the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team (SMSR) typically has a smaller call volume in the winter 
than in the summer, the stakes on these calls are often higher. This winter, the Team has responded to 
5 calls in snow and ice conditions, requiring specialized winter clothing, emergency shelters, ice axes, 
crampons, snowshoes, avalanche beacons, and more. 

One such call came on the afternoon of February 17th when a group of trail runners came to an icy section 
of the Kenyon Devore trail on Mt. Wilson about a mile from the nearest trailhead. While navigating the 
icy section one member of the party slipped and fell over 200 feet down steep terrain. 

The initial responding agency, Montrose Search and Rescue, used ropes to access the patient and render 
medical aid. Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team and Altadena Mountain Rescue Team then responded 
to assist in the rescue of the trail runner. Heavy snow and cloudy weather blocked helicopters from 
accessing the scene. Sadly, the fallen runner succumbed to their injuries in the field. The Sierra Madre 
Search and Rescue Team sends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of the trail runner. 

The following Sunday two female hikers also encountered icy trail conditions while hiking from Chantry 
Flats to Mount Wilson. When they came to the icy section near the summit, they made the smart decision 
to turn around. However, they were not prepared for the long hike out after dark that the detour caused. 
Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team again worked with Montrose Search and Rescue to locate the 
hikers. The hikers were found at Sturtevant Camp and evacuated by L.A. County Fire Dept. Air Copter 
15 to Chantry Flats. 

In order to work safely in these conditions, the Team trains annually for these types of rescues. On 
Saturday February 16th, team members spent a 15 hour day training in the snow at Mt. Pinos on skills 
such as snow anchors, avalanche burials, and patient packaging finishing with a comprehensive mock 
scenario. 

As a member of the national Mountain Rescue Association, SMSR is accredited in snow and ice rescue. 
On Saturday March 2nd, SMSR traveled to Lake Tahoe with the other California Region MRA teams for 
the annual reaccreditation exercise. This year’s scenario involved searching the Sierra Nevada mountains 
on snowshoes to locate a distressed hiker. As snow fell, the scenario required the team to demonstrate 
their ability to navigate, provide medical aide, respond to an avalanche burial, provide emergency shelter, 
and use rope systems to transport a patient over steep terrain. Exercises like this are a vital part of what 
keeps SMSR ready to fulfill their motto, “Anywhere in the wilderness that someone needs help . . .” 

For over 65 years, the all-volunteer Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team has been responding to calls 
for help in the local mountains and beyond. The Team is funded entirely by charitable donations, and 
SMSR provides a range of public programs on wilderness safety in addition to its search and rescue 
activities. Importantly, the Team never charges for any of its services. For more information, including 
how to arrange a wilderness safety demonstration for your school or group, visit www.smsr.org. 

WINTER RESCUES IN OUR LOCAL MOUNTAINS

NEWS BRIEFS

CHAIRMAN SCHIFF STATEMENT ON MUELLER 
INVESTIGATION

 

 Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Intelli-gence 
Committee, released the following statement:

 “Today, the Attorney General has informed Congress and the public that the Spe-cial Counsel 
has concluded his investigation and submitted a report of his findings. That report needs to be 
released to the public.

 “Pursuant to the Special Counsel regulations, Mueller’s report is likely to focus on his prosecutorial 
decisions and may not shed necessary light on counterintelli-gence findings of profound 
significance to our committee and the nation — whether the President or others around him 
have been compromised by a foreign power.

 “The Mueller investigation, like our own probe, began as a counterintelligence in-quiry into 
whether individuals associated with the Trump campaign were com-promised by a hostile foreign 
nation. By law, the evidence he has uncovered on all counterintelligence matters must now 
be shared with the House Intelligence Committee, whether it resulted in indictment or not.

 “We will insist that the Justice Department meet its statutory obligations and be transparent 
with our Committee and the public. Anything less would be negligent in the service of our national 
security.”


COUNTY APPROVES 

HERBICIDE BAN WHILE 
STUDY IS CONDUCTED AND 

VIABLE ALTERNATIVES ARE 
EXPLORED

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors 
approved a motion by Supervisors 
Kathryn Barger and Sheila Kuehl that directs 
county departments to stop the use of the herbicide 
glyphosate while a full investigation is 
conducted to examine whether the chemical is 
appropriate for use by the county based on potential 
environmental and health impacts. 

 “I am asking county departments to stop the 
use of herbicide until public health and environmen-
tal professionals can determine if it’s 
safe for further use in L.A. County and explore 
alternative methods for vegetation management,” 
Barger said. 

 

The use of glyphosate, a main ingredient in the 
herbicide brand called “Roundup,” is a well-
known and effective weed abatement method 
used by many public and private entities. The 
Ag-ricultural Commissioner, who has established 
protocols for its use in full compliance 
with all Fed-eral and State regulations, also 
uses herbicide. Despite these controls, however, 
there is a grow-ing body of scientific study 
around the safety of using herbicides and the 
potential for negative impacts on human, animal, 
and environmental health.

 

“In a 2015 study led by 17 experts from 11 
countries, the World Health Agency’s International 
Agency for Research on Cancer concluded 
that glyphosate should be classified as 
'probably car-cinogenic to humans,’” Supervisor 
Sheila Kuehlsaid. “That conclusion makes 
it imperative that we question any long-term 
use of this controversial herbicide, and that’s 
exactly what this motion calls for.”

 

The Department of Public Works, in conjunction 
with Public Health, Parks and Recreation, 
Beaches and Harbors, and the Agricultural 
Commission, will study the issue and report 
back to the Board with findings and alternatives 
within 30 days.

Get out and enjoy all the beauty & tranquilitySierra Madre has to offer!
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Eileen BensonCOLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE626.278.0187BensonEileen@gmail.comREALTOR | CALRE# 0188065015 E. Foothill Blvd., Arcadia, CA 91006The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include 
approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents 
affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All 
Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of 
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Spring is here!
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com