STOWE, Vt. (WCAX) – Winter snow means more outdoor adventures and unexpected misadventures.
It’s easy to get caught up in one more run down the slope or a hike that’s just a little further, but under cold temps and early nightfall, you could get caught outside for longer than you anticipated.
In winter 2018, Petra Cliffs co-owner Steve Charest was leading an ice climbing course at Smuggler’s Notch when his equipment failed.
He plummeted over 40 feet onto rocks and ice.
“I broke my left wrist on the initial impact, left ankle on the initial impact, and then cartwheeled, broke my wrists, fractured my skull, and then kept going,” said Charest.
Rescuers helicoptered Charest to UVM Medical Center where he stayed for two months.
“The number one complaint that doctors and nurses still had is that I still talked about, ‘Okay, but when can I go climbing?’” he said.
Charest’s story is one of countless winter accidents local rescue crews have seen over the years.
Stowe Mountain Rescue’s crew of 15 is always ready for the worst.
“We’re just all out living our lives, and the phone can go off at any time,” said Tom Rogers of Stowe Mountain Rescue.
The team does around 60 rescues and several body recoveries every year, which is common during big tourist weekends in the summer and winter.
“Oftentimes it’s people who are just kind of leaving the ski resort, they see some amazing powder and they wanna get after it. And those are often the people who get in trouble,” said Rogers.
While inexperienced adventurers tally the most rescues, experts are at risk too.
Sudden weather, equipment malfunction, or a freak accident are always possible.
“Sometimes things get turned upside down when you least expect it, right? And that’s the risk you take when you go out and do a lot of things in the winter,” said Charest.
Rogers says winter adventurers should generally carry these essentials when venturing out into the backcountry: food and water, warm clothes, emergency shelter, equipment repair kit, multiple light sources, first aid kit, fire supplies, and a charged phone.
A fully charged phone is especially important so you can call for help and rescuers can track you.
“We always encourage people to call early, we’re happy to talk to you on the phone, if we don’t have to trigger the team and bring people out, that’s fine,” said Rogers.
Rogers says the team has rescued a few explorers so far this season. He wants everyone to know they never charge anyone for a rescue.