HOLLADAY — In anticipation of a busy summer, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue (SAR) conducted a rigorous fitness test on Monday night, putting their team through its paces at one of their frequent response sites.
As Squad Leader Todd Taylor checked his watch, he counted down for a hiker preparing to tackle the Mount Olympus Trail.
“You go 30 seconds,” Taylor instructed. “25 seconds… are you ready?”
The hiker swiftly began the ascent, and Taylor recorded the time. The purpose of this exercise was to measure how quickly team members could navigate the trail’s challenging terrain as part of a pre-summer fitness assessment.
“If you can’t do the fitness test, then you’re probably not eligible to be deployed on a rescue,” Taylor explained.
The goal for Monday’s hike was not to reach the summit but to cover the first two miles, which involve an ascent of 1,800 vertical feet, within 50 minutes. Squad Leader Alexis Abelow emphasized the importance of this specific trail for training purposes due to its frequent use in rescue missions.
“It’s a great training ground,” Abelow said. “We want to ensure we can carry the necessary gear to assist anyone in need and do so promptly.”
During the test, volunteers carried 20-pound packs to simulate the conditions of an actual rescue. “We definitely carry water, light, food, and additional equipment like extra litters and wheels to transport patients down the mountain,” Abelow added.
Abelow also advised hikers to prepare adequately for varying trail conditions, especially with changing elevations. “If your route has significant elevation gain, bring traction devices and possibly an ice ax,” she recommended. “It’s easy to forget that summer conditions at lower elevations can still mean snow and winter conditions higher up.”
She urged hikers to carry enough food, water, a light source, and a charged phone. Knowing the route, researching trail conditions, and avoiding solo hikes are also crucial for safety.
Taylor noted the turnout for the fitness test, stating that 27 team members participated.
Every step in the test is critical for saving lives, and the team’s readiness is paramount. As one group of volunteers returned to the parking lot, one of them triumphantly said, “We did it.”
Squad Leader Sean Tropsa, who completed the hike in 35 minutes, acknowledged that it wasn’t his fastest time but still well within the 50-minute limit.
“This baseline helps us estimate response times,” Tropsa said. “Most injuries occur within the range we covered today.”
With the fitness test successfully completed, Tropsa and his team are prepared for the upcoming season. “We’re going to be doing a lot of this with even more sun,” Tropsa remarked. “This is a good start to the season.”