9/01/2015

Marsden Trail Search, Baxter State Park, August 29-30, 2015

  • Team 3 takes a short break along the Marsden Trail before heading into the thick fir.

  • 2 FSAR members, Mit and Jimmy A. left Franklin county at 7:30 p.m. Saturday 8-29
  • Jim L. planned to join us but had family car troubles
  • Arrived at Togue Pond Bunk House 10:30 p.m, pitched bivy bags and were in bed before 11.
  • Began day by having breakfast with MESARD in the crew cabin.
  • 6 a.m. cut the waiting hiking-vehicle line at Togue gate and drove to the CP arriving at the Marsden trail-head at 7.
  • We were assigned a high-priority grid that according to the WMS officer in charge, was  “the ‘toughest, most difficult search area of the day”!
  • Our team was lead by BSP ranger Rob and included 2 young MWS wardens and a Dirigo SAR member.  
  • “We want to get you guys up there right away, so we are going to use the helicopter”!
  • Briefed on helicopter ops by Rob and then had an amazing 4 minute ride (see video here)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4DQsWs7V6M
  • Were dropped off on a large rock in Teardrop pond at 2300’ bushwhacked to the Marsden trail from the pond.
  • Hiked up to our search area around 3400’
  • In Jimmy’s words, “Brutal, bloody, bushwhack through very dense fir”. We traveled 500’ in 45 minutes at one point.
  • On completion of our first mission, we searched along the trail back toward the C.P. at the Marsden Trailhead.
  • Around 2 p.m, we heard the preliminary and then confirmed radio traffic that Mr. Lyon had been found alive.
  • He was found signaling on a rock slide by the same helicopter and pilot that had flown us to Teardrop Pond.
  • He was flown to the hospital and where he was admitted for treatment.
  • We continued our descent to the C.P. arriving around 3:30.
  • After re-hydrating and pigging out on some delicious pizza, we headed for home.
  • It was a great adventure with a happy ending.
  • Hat’s off the the amazing members of the MWS team, BSP rangers and MASAR teams from all over the state.

Hurry up and wait!




Jimmy made good use of the wait-time in the gravel pit LZ.


Rob gives a helicopter safety briefing.



















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