Injured hiker rescued from Snowmass Mountain – AspenTimes.com

Rescue Operation on Snowmass Mountain: A Sustainable Approach to Emergency Response

Incident Overview

On Saturday, June 21, at 8:18 a.m., the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911-text activation reporting a hiker with an ankle injury near the peak of Snowmass Mountain. The location, situated within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness at approximately 13,000 feet altitude, presented challenging conditions. The injured individual was unable to walk or bear weight on the affected ankle.

Rescue Deployment and Execution

1. At 11:18 a.m., Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) mobilized a team of 19 volunteer rescuers to locate and assist the injured hiker.
2. A High Altitude Army Training Site (HAATS) rescue helicopter was also deployed, carrying MRA members to support the operation.
3. Despite steep and hazardous terrain, rescuers reached the hiker and companion by 1:30 p.m., providing medical assessment and stabilization on site.
4. The patient was successfully transported to Aspen Valley Health for further treatment.
5. All volunteer rescuers were safely out of the field by 4:30 p.m.

Integration with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The prompt and coordinated rescue operation ensured timely medical intervention, reducing the risk of complications and promoting health and safety in remote natural environments.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The involvement of local volunteer organizations and emergency services highlights community resilience and preparedness in managing natural hazards.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Conducting the rescue within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats while enabling safe recreational access.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration among Mountain Rescue Aspen, HAATS, Aspen Ambulance, and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office exemplifies effective partnerships critical for successful emergency responses.

Acknowledgments

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office extends gratitude to all members of Mountain Rescue Aspen, High Altitude Army Training Site, and Aspen Ambulance for their dedication and successful rescue efforts, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable emergency management practices.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses emergency medical response and rescue operations for an injured hiker, directly relating to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The coordination of emergency services and rescue operations in a wilderness area reflects efforts to make communities safe and resilient.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – The incident occurs in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, highlighting the interaction with natural environments and the importance of preserving terrestrial ecosystems while ensuring human safety.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3 Targets:
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.
2. SDG 11 Targets:
   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters.
3. SDG 15 Targets:
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 3:
   • Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services – implied by the successful medical assessment, stabilization, and transport of the injured hiker to a health facility.
   • Indicator 3.d.1: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness – implied by the coordinated emergency response involving Mountain Rescue Aspen, HAATS, and ambulance services.
2. For SDG 11:
   • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters – implied by the rescue operation preventing potential fatalities.
   • Indicator 11.b.2: Proportion of local governments adopting and implementing disaster risk reduction strategies – implied by the organized emergency dispatch and rescue coordination.
3. For SDG 15:
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area – indirectly implied by the mention of the wilderness area where the incident occurred, emphasizing conservation.
   • Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management – implied by the maintenance of wilderness areas and responsible use of natural land.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aspentimes.com