Page 63 - Lariat Loop

Alpine Rescue Team (ART)
303-526-2417 • alpinerescueteam.org
Alpine is the only nationally accredited mountain rescue team in Colorado with memoranda of understanding to provide search and rescue services within 1300 square miles of three county sheri jurisdictions— Clear Creek, Je erson and Gilpin. The volunteers have provided this service FREE since 1959.
As many as 60 volunteers are currently available to respond to more than 100 calls for search and rescue of hikers, climbers, snowshoe and vehicles in wilderness areas. Team members are highly trained, non-paid professional rescue-mountaineers. Equipment and maintenance is funded with grants and contributions to support a meager $60,000 budget in 2010. The primary annual fundraiser is the Evergreen Town Race down Upper Bear Creek and a party at the Little Bear.
ART began to organize in Indian Hills when Idledale, Evergreen and Indian Hills volunteers rescued four climbers after they fell o Lovers Leap, a 400-foot high crag. After all were rescued and one deceased climber was recovered, the volunteers formed a special rescue unit with two members of each re department. They used a “shack” in Kittredge to meet, train and store equipment. Bylaws were established in 1960 and better facilities were established in 1971 until a new building was constructed at El Rancho in 1988 and expanded during the 1990s. The land for the headquarters
is leased from the Foothills Fire Protection District for the sum of $1.00 per year.
Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway 59