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| 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.
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