Saturday night, while many of you were wrapped up snug in warm blankets, at 10pm 2 Baxter State Park rangers ascended Dudley trail and 3 North SAR member ascended Helon Taylor trail, to converge on knifes edge. Where an unfortunate situation was unfolding and 6 lives were in danger.
As the night dragged on and the situation was stabilized, at 2am the call to shelter in place was made. With wind speeds gusting up to 30mph and the temperature falling, our members utilized the gear and equipment we are required to carry to hunker down on top of the mountain and wait till day light.
As the light started shining, so did a busy morning of preparations for a National Guard helo evac. Our team leader started across the knifes edge to assist with helicopter operations and subject care while the 2 other members provided support for the evac of the rest of the party down the Helon Taylor trail.
At 7:50 on Sunday morning, A Maine National Guard helicopter was over head.
By 8:10 the evac of the 5 remaining party members had begun. Over the next 11 hours, members sometimes, lifting, carrying and guiding the party members and with support from another North member who heard the call that water was running low jumped into action arriving in time half way up the trail with something like 10 bottles of water. successfully evac'd 5 very tired and sore individuals to Roaring Brook. Were they were met by family and friends.
With support from Baxter Rangers, 5 of our members, and Maine National Guard, a total of 21 hours were spent in active response on top of Maine's greatest mountain.
Job well done to your team members, BSP staff and Maine National Guard.