Recently, Climax Mine, in collaboration with Summit County Search and Rescue, hosted the 46th Annual Summit County Rescue Group (SCRG) Avalanche Seminar. This two-day event brought together over 100 avalanche professionals with their rescue teams for comprehensive avalanche response training.
Like Climax, safety is a primary focus of the Summit County Search and Rescue Group, who worked to ensure the training events were conducted without causing injuries to participants. The training took place in authentic terrain with weather conditions at -20°F, using the same equipment that would be employed in actual rescue scenarios. The goal of zero incidents was achieved, with no injuries or frostbite reported.
The seminar kicked off with morning sessions featuring talks on avalanche rescue history, snowpack conditions, and essential rescue tools. Special topics included safe route planning, avalanche medical care, and winter rope rescue techniques. Participants then engaged in hands-on practice with transceivers, patient packaging, and advanced shoveling techniques.
Day two focused on field stations at Fremont Pass, where participants applied their skills in realistic rescue scenarios. One of the most intense activities was the deep burial scenario, where a beacon was buried over 3 meters deep. Despite having 18 people on the team, it took more than 45 minutes of shoveling to dig out the beacon, helping participants stay warm on the cold day. Thankfully, everyone emerged unscathed and frostbite-free with a wealth of valuable lessons learned!
Greg Gerloff, Senior Supervisor Industrial Hygiene at Climax and coordinator of the event, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm excited to be a part of this collaboration with Summit County. There is no substitution for preparedness in backcountry winter conditions." 
Special thanks were given to Climax Site Services for moving all the snow on the county road and providing access, which was crucial for the seminar's success. Summit County Search and Rescue team members and leaders emphasized how this seminar provides an unparalleled opportunity for backcountry training. The vast and variable terrain, ample parking, and proximity to Summit County make this an exceptional training event that cannot be found elsewhere.
This successful seminar underscores the importance of continuous training and collaboration in ensuring the safety and preparedness of our rescue teams in the face of winter’s toughest challenges.