Instead of Amateurs, Rainier Rescue Sends the ‘Elite’
By Steve Casimiro, Adventure Journal on January 20th, 2012
Four people are still missing/overdue on Mt. Rainier, despite a search effort yesterday by an “elite” team of rescuers. Much has been made about the “eliteness” of the team, with most news reports using “elite” in their ledes. The term was used in a Rainier press release, which cited their “familiarity” with the mountain and “highest level of fitness” and the media reflexively fell on it as if this was something special. But search and rescue, especially on a mountain like Rainier, is comprised of people who are at the top of their game — climbing rangers and volunteers often from guide services. So, um, duh. As for the two overdue parties, there was no sign yesterday, and eight of the 10 SAR folks came off the mountain while two remained at Camp Muir to continue the search. Via Washington Post.
