Mt. Rainier climbers have friends in high places
8,000 FEET NEAR MOUNT RAINIER -- On a sunny day in the Puget Sound region, you can really appreciate the beauty of Mount Rainier. But that splendor can turn treacherous at any moment, catching climbers off guard.
So it's nice to know a high-altitude helicopter rescue team is standing by, ready to help.
KOMO 4 News was allowed to ride with that team Tuesday during a training exercise to practice rescuing troubled climbers off the mountain.
They are members of Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment of the Army Reserve, based at Ft Lewis.
During Tuesday's exercise, they were working with National Park Service rangers to pluck an "injured" hiker off the side of Mt. Rainier.
It's something they've been called on to do many times before.
"We don't have the resources to dedicate a helicopter for the amount of incidents that we really have," said Climbing Ranger Mike Gauthier.
The Climbing Rangers oftentimes climb to the rescue, but they're grateful to be delivered by helicopter when time is of the essence.
"As you go down, the wind really picks up and you spin a bit and it is thrilling and exciting and gives you a little bit of a kick," Gauthier said of being hoisted down to rescue a climber.
Below 8,000 feet, most any helicopter can handle the rescue, but above that point, you need to call on the workhorse of the Army, the Chinook helicopter.
But at this elevation, any mistake can be fatal. So they fly with great caution.
"You know when you can come up here and pluck somebody off of the mountain, it makes you feel really good that you've done a service for the park and for the community as a whole," said Army Reserve pilot Bob Agee.
And it's not just high altitude. This unit helped in the rescue of people and delivery of supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina exactly two years ago.
"And of course we're always happy to be a part of that," Army Reserve pilot Dan Bryner said. "It's a good feeling to know you've made a difference."
So they're ready to go, no matter if it's up high or down at sea level.
Another important reason for this high altitude training is these crewmembers have been to Afghanistan helping to rescue troops and downed fliers in those higher reaches.
So it's nice to know a high-altitude helicopter rescue team is standing by, ready to help.
KOMO 4 News was allowed to ride with that team Tuesday during a training exercise to practice rescuing troubled climbers off the mountain.
They are members of Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment of the Army Reserve, based at Ft Lewis.
During Tuesday's exercise, they were working with National Park Service rangers to pluck an "injured" hiker off the side of Mt. Rainier.
It's something they've been called on to do many times before.
"We don't have the resources to dedicate a helicopter for the amount of incidents that we really have," said Climbing Ranger Mike Gauthier.
The Climbing Rangers oftentimes climb to the rescue, but they're grateful to be delivered by helicopter when time is of the essence.
"As you go down, the wind really picks up and you spin a bit and it is thrilling and exciting and gives you a little bit of a kick," Gauthier said of being hoisted down to rescue a climber.
Below 8,000 feet, most any helicopter can handle the rescue, but above that point, you need to call on the workhorse of the Army, the Chinook helicopter.
But at this elevation, any mistake can be fatal. So they fly with great caution.
"You know when you can come up here and pluck somebody off of the mountain, it makes you feel really good that you've done a service for the park and for the community as a whole," said Army Reserve pilot Bob Agee.
And it's not just high altitude. This unit helped in the rescue of people and delivery of supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina exactly two years ago.
"And of course we're always happy to be a part of that," Army Reserve pilot Dan Bryner said. "It's a good feeling to know you've made a difference."
So they're ready to go, no matter if it's up high or down at sea level.
Another important reason for this high altitude training is these crewmembers have been to Afghanistan helping to rescue troops and downed fliers in those higher reaches.