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Oplopanax Horridus

Oplopanax Horridus

A veteran SAR volunteer's experiences in British Columbia

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Category: Blog Entry

Regular blog posts

Summer snow conditions

By Michael Coyle Posted on 09/08/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with backcountry, rescue, safety, SAR, snow

When I wrote my article on a pattern of accidents I had observed in winter sports lovers, I talked about the snow conditions that contribute to a slip and fall accident. That, combined with easy access to the alpine, a …

Summer snow conditions Read more »

Housekeeping: social media

By Michael Coyle Posted on 08/08/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with meta, social media

On a non-SAR, non blog note, I’ve been using Facebook and Twitter a bit, mostly for the same thing. Every once in a while I come across an article on another site that’s related to what I write about, or …

Housekeeping: social media Read more »

Online radio scanners

By Michael Coyle Posted on 06/07/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with communications, SAR, technology

Radio scanners have been around for a long time. They basically allow people to listen in on radio conversations. Most radios have a scan function of some sort. When I got my first radio I could even use the scan …

Online radio scanners Read more »

Death of a Volunteer

By Michael Coyle Posted on 30/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with accident, grim, SAR
Death of a Volunteer

Sheilah Sweatman, Nelson SAR member, deceased at 29

Petzl GRIGRI 2 Recall

By Michael Coyle Posted on 20/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, news, recall, safety

Petzl has issued a recall for some GRIGRI 2 belay devices. The Grigri is a very popular belay device for sport climbers and others, and the Grigri 2 was a re-design of the classic device, making it lighter and allowing …

Petzl GRIGRI 2 Recall Read more »

Mount Logan picture

By Michael Coyle Posted on 16/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, Logan 2011

A picture of former Coquitlam SAR member, current Canadian Forces SAR Tech Cpl Mike Neilson, still wearing his team-issue orange Gore-Tex jacket and holding the Coquitlam SAR flag at 4800m on Mount Logan

Mount Logan update: awesome news

By Michael Coyle Posted on 08/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, Logan 2011

We got an update on the details from Logan yesterday, Josh, the organizer of the trip, called Rollie, another team member. In Rollie`s words: I just got a call from Josh. The Logan crew has returned to Haines Junction, Yukon. …

Mount Logan update: awesome news Read more »

Mount Logan update: back at base camp

By Michael Coyle Posted on 06/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, Logan 2011

I just got an update from the team’s SPOT device, and they are back at base camp. In a short communication with one of the team members family, I was told that everyone is OK and they will be flying …

Mount Logan update: back at base camp Read more »

Mount Logan: Camp 3, the “Football Field”

By Michael Coyle Posted on 02/06/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, Logan 2011

I just got another update from the Mount Logan party’s SPOT messenger. From their coordinates it ‘s clear they have reached Camp 3, also known as the Football field. This is at about 4850M (15,900 ft.), which they reached after …

Mount Logan: Camp 3, the “Football Field” Read more »

Mount Logan Team: at Camp 2

By Michael Coyle Posted on 30/05/2011 Posted in Blog Entry Tagged with climbing, Logan 2011

The Mount Logan team sent me a SPOT message today that places them at approximately 4000m (13,500 ft) in the King Col, sometimes known as Camp 2. I got a message mid-week that put them at Camp 1 just a …

Mount Logan Team: at Camp 2 Read more »

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