Preparing the Kit at 7,000 ft on Hood Date: 08/12/2008 On January 13, 2002, during the a weekend Ready Team session, PMR members of all levels gathered at 7,000 feet on the South Side of Mount Hood for training. The group wanted to test out a new rescue tool called the "Hogsback Kit" - a sked or litter lowering system using a rope and brake rack. This system will one day be used during moderately steep angle rescues, such as those in the South Side Crater of Mount Hood.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
Loading the Sked with a "victim" Date: 08/12/2008 PMR Rescue Committee Chairperson Marty Johnson loads the sked with the "victim" - skis - as Steve Rollins waits. The skis provide weight and the sked provides a method of transporting the skis down the mountain.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
Beginning the slow journey down [Enlarge] Date: 08/12/2008 The lowering team starts their slow journey to the first handoff point, over 600 feet down. Rocky Henderson (front, left) prepares the brake rack.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
The view from the starting point Date: 08/12/2008 A brake rack system provides a controlled descent for the sked team.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
Controlled descent using a brake bar Date: 08/12/2008 Rocky Henderson helps control the Sked team's descent and using a tool called a brake rack.

Rocky is a past National President of the Mountain Rescue Association

Photo © Matthew
Weaver (PMR)
The team reaches the handoff point Date: 08/12/2008 The sked team reaches the first handoff point, at the end of the initial 600-foot leg. The handoff team will then switch the sked over to a second brake rack system that will allow the sked lowering for another 600 feet.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
The team sets up the 2nd brake bar Date: 08/12/2008 The handoff team transfers the sked to the second brake rack system for the next 600-foot trip into Salmon River Canyon on Mount Hood's South Side.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
The team reaches the canyon Date: 08/12/2008 High above the clouds and the neighboring mountains, the sked team's long journey begins to enter Salmon River Canyon on Mount Hood's South Side.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
Descending the canyon snow Date: 08/12/2008 Coordinating the movements of the sked team proves to be challenging.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
A scenic view of the canyon & area Date: 08/12/2008 Mount Jefferson (top) and Timberline Lodge (center) provide a scenic backdrop to the training session.

Photo © Matthew
The team reaches the end of the line Date: 08/12/2008 The sked team reaches the end of the 1,200 foot total journey.

Photo © Matthew Weaver (PMR)
Tearing down after a successful test Date: 08/12/2008 The team tears down at the bottom of the canyon after a successful 1,200 foot lowering test.

Photo © Matthew
Weaver (PMR)
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