Winter snowy rescue. Photo provided.

EDSAR incident command. Photo provided.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One would think that social distancing and the need to get outside during the pandemic would have brought more unprepared recreationists to Lake Tahoe, but if a count of El Dorado County Search and Rescue (SAR) calls is an indication, that was not what happened.

"In these last couple years, we have seen a significant decrease in SAR type calls, both medical and lost person incidents," said El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputy Greg Almos, who heads up the department's SAR team. "This is contrary to what was perceived when COVID kicked in. We believed we would see an increase since people were supposed to social distance with tourism and everyday life was minimized."

By June, Almos said they get about 30-40 calls where a SAR volunteer was called in. So far in 2022, that number is 15 but if the past two weeks are any indication, pre-pandemic numbers might be seen once again this summer.

Some of the reduced calls could be attributed this year to the Caldor Fire - many areas affected by the fire are still closed off to the public or slowly reopening. Almos said some parking lots they normally see full mainly on the west slope of El Dorado County have not seen normal activity, like the Mt. Ralston trailhead.

What hasn't been affected by the pandemic has been those visiting Emerald Bay and the SR89 corridor - that has not changed and Almos said they continue to see the consistently high numbers of visitors. The difference is they are more sightseeing and staying in areas close to the highway that heading into the backcountry.

In the last two weeks, there have been six incidents requiring a SAR Volunteer to respond and several other both water and land-based calls where SAR was not required.

"We are seeing an increase in calls and most of the calls were due to recreationists either not skilled, experienced, or recreating with the correct gear," said Almos.

It is extremely important to be prepared and educated on the risks before heading into the backcountry - #KnowBeforeYouGo. It is important to be informed of the risks of recreating in our backcountry, said Almos.

During a recent SAR incident, a man had been cycling in San Francisco when he decided to head to Lake Tahoe to climb Mt. Tallac. He arrived at the trailhead at 3 p.m., much too late to start the hike. The hiker was not prepared, got lost, and needed to be rescued after the sun had set and darkness had set in.

Being prepared and not ending up as the focus of a SAR incident - Know the area where you are going, check out maps, sources of water, sunrise and sunset times, have a charged phone and carry a battery-operated charger, and carry plenty of water and snacks, wear good hiking shoes, carry sunscreen, and take supplies in case you need to spend the night either due to being lost or inclement weather. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning.

Lake Tahoe is at an elevation of 6,224 feet above sea level. That means you will be going higher when heading into the backcountry for your hike and the air gets thinner. Condition your body and hike on local trails to get ready for your Lake Tahoe experience.

Vist Tahoe-Truckee lists these ten essential to carry:

NAVIGATION – Map, compass, and GPS system SUN PROTECTION – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat INSULATION – Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear ILLUMINATION – Flashlight, lanterns, and headlamp FIRST-AID SUPPLIES – First Aid Kit FIRE – Matches, lighter and fire starters (for emergencies as no fires are allowed in the Basin). REPAIR KIT AND TOOLS – Duct tape, knife, screwdriver, and scissors NUTRITION - Food HYDRATION – Water and water treatment supplies EMERGENCY SHELTER – Tent, space blanket, tarp, and bivy

Search and Rescue Volunteers Train Often

The 28 men and women that make up El Dorado County SAR continually train in order to be prepared to assist the lost and injured in the County. Although they haven't been as busy with calls they continue to train regularly and enhance their skills and qualifications to provide the County and response area with the most professional organization possible.

One of the El Dorado County Sheriff Search and Rescue (EDSAR) volunteers recently completed the demanding "Rigging for Rescue" course held in the Donner Pass area.

Rigging for Rescue is a rigorous high-level specialized training amounting to 45 hours. Almos said their volunteer has been volunteering with EDSAR for three years and is an active participant in the specialized rope rescue team, as the Technical Rope Team Training Assistant. He has been organizing and helping with rope rescue team training on a weekly basis, preparing other team members for the demanding technical rescues that are sometimes required of the team. Several times a year, volunteers with EDSAR are called to assist with everything from stranded hikers in steep terrain to injured climbers at Lover’s Leap.

Rigging for Rescue is a five-day course taught by the nation’s leading rope rescue professionals all over the country to an assortment of first responders. While the entire course emphasizes safety in a technical rescue environment, other skills taught include critical thinking, rescue systems, decision making, and equipment maintenance. Students learn in a mixture of lectures, group discussions, and hands-on field exercises. Binder will be bringing his new certification to EDSAR to enhance the mission capabilities of the team.

EDSAR is comprised entirely of local volunteers who put in countless hours training and responding to incidents in the challenging terrain of El Dorado County year-round, day and night, and often in poor weather. Training opportunities like Rigging for Rescue are made possible solely through fundraising efforts and donations.

More volunteers are always needed. To learn more about opportunities to join EDSAR or to make a donation, please visit eldoradosar.org.

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