GIS is a highly technical mapping platform using digital mapping software that has all but replaced pen-and-paper cartography.  A GIS can be utilized to store and display large amounts of geospatially referenced information.  A few clicks of a mouse can add and remove different "layers" from a map: things like roads, buildings, topography, things that you previously might have needed multiple maps for.  GIS also allows for users to edit map data in real time and have a much more intimate relationship with the map.  Don has been a pioneer in the use of GIS for search and rescue throughout our region, implementing its use in many large searches that the ASRC has conducted.  He has also published research on the use of GIS for SAR and will speak at the 2012 American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting in New York City.

MARG is available to speak to community groups on a variety of different topics related to search and rescue, outdoor safety, wilderness survival, etc.  If you are interested in setting up a presentation for your group or organization, please get in touch with team leadership by visiting the "Contact Us" page.

For more info about the retreat, you can visit the event page here: http://asrc2012retreat.eventbrite.com/

Ten 2 and 3-person teams, a total of 23 participants, raced in this inaugural event which was held over a 12-hr period on and around Briery Mountain outside of Kingwood, WV.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors and participants for making this event successful and helping us to raise money to allow us to continue providing search and rescue services throughout the state and region.

Thank you to MARG members Jono Adams and Bru Randall, and race participant Jimmie Freeman who provided photographs for our gallery, available here.

How do I prepare for the race? 

1.  Register and put it on your calendar. 

2.  Be realistic about your goals.  If this is your first adventure race, participating and finishing is a personal victory.  More experienced teams might aim for a top-three finish. 

3.  Prepare Physically.  This race involves 18-22 miles with approximately 3000 ft. elevation changes, in a hot summer month, consisting of mountain biking, running/hiking and a shorter distance of paddling. The amount and type of training will depend on your fitness level.  Sound advice is to start with a strong aerobic base and add the specific events of the race.  Consider running/hiking two to three times a week and biking one to two times a week.    Add a “brick” workout one time a week by training one discipline followed immediately by another (e.g., one hour of mountain biking followed by two hours of hiking/running).  Once a month, train longer periods (e.g., 4-8) but don’t over train as this increases your chance of injury and hinders performance.  Get in some paddling time.  Train on conditions and terrain that are similar to the race.  Strengthen the movements that will needed for the race.  Upper body strength will be need for paddling, Tyrolean traverse and challenge course and for this, consider building with dips, push-ups, pulls-ups.  Lower body benefits with step-ups, alternating lunges, squats as if to sit, and heel raises to heel drops on edge of step.  To build speed and power, do interval and tempo sessions each week.  Flexibility exercises can be done daily at the end of a work out when your muscles are warm, holding each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds for two to five times.  Key muscle-skeletal groups to keep flexible are the calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, pectoralis and spine.

Check out the many adventure training clinics.  Close to Preston County is American Adventure Sports, Ohiopyle.   Check out these links for additional training tips:    Training tips for adventure racing, Canadian Adventure Racing Assoc, Atomic AR , N.Y. Adventure Race Assoc

4.  Prepare skills.  You will need to use a map and compass and have navigation skills.  A great way to learn these skills is to join an orienteering club.  The Mountaineer Area Rescue Group teaches navigation and orienteering. Race participants are welcome to attend the next training session which is scheduled Thursday, July 14, 6:00 pm in Morgantown, WV.  Contact Rusty Miller for additional information at rmillerwv@gmail.com.  For an instructional DVD/compass combo visit The Compass Store.  Jim Farmer has a great navigation guide at

Adventure Racing Navigation.

5.  Get your equipment.  Having trouble finding equipment?  Check out Karst Sports and ask for the Adventure Race discount.

4.  Choose your team.   Remember, it’s the team that wins, not the individual.  Have common goals, fitness and skill levels.  Skills can compliment, such as one person can be strong in navigation and other in leadership.

5.  Not sure you’re ready for this year?  Volunteer at the race.  See what it’s all about.  Talk to the participants and other volunteers.  Have a great time!

 

What materials will be supplied?

1.  Inner tubes will be supplied for raft materials.  You will bring webbing and rafting helmet.

2.  Harness, carabineers, and pulleys will be supplied for the tyrolean.  If you have a harness, it’s recommended you bring it.

3.  Orienteering map of the course will be issued.

 

 

Are there risks associated with the race?

 There are inherent risks involved and you could get hurt doing this.   Slips, trips and falls resulting in sprains, strains, and fractures are the most common injuries related to mountain biking and hiking/running.  Overuse syndromes are also quite common.  Dehydration and heat stroke are not uncommon concerns in endurance events.  Carry and ingest appropriate amounts of water and electrolytes to address these concerns.  To reduce risk of water injury, the paddling event will be changed if the water level is deemed too dangerous for safe navigation.  Be adequately trained and skilled for the event.

 

 

If you're interested in participating in search and rescue, there is no time like the present to start volunteering with the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group.  Rusty Miller, Vice-Chairman of the group is working on starting up a series of semi-weekly skills trainings in the Morgantown area.

Several evenings a month, we will be holding sessions lasting 1-2 hours and working on teaching vital SAR skills to members new and old.  The trainings will be focused on bringing new members to Callout-Qualified status as quickly as possible and teaching knowledge and skills necessary to pass the Field Team Member certification test.  These trainings will hopefully work to supplement our monthly classroom and field trainings which typically are more involved.

The first of these training sessions will be on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at White Park located off of Greenbag Road in Morgantown.  Look for the sign for the ice rink and turn onto MTec Dr.  We should be set up at the pavillion nearest to the ballfields.  Look for MARG's white equipment trailer.  This first training will be an orientation to the trailer and MARG equipment and a basic introduction to the team.

These trainings are open to everyone, members (new AND old) and non-members alike.  If you're considering joining us, this would be a great opportunity to meet members and get a feel for what we do.  If you'd like to participate and would like more info, or are unable to attend on Tuesday and would like to be kept up to date about future trainings, please email Rusty: rmillerwv at gmail dot com.

Beginning Friday afternoon, teams participated in a mock search and rescue for a missing boy scout who had allegedly walked away from his troop while camping.  Nearly 200 people, representing 26 search and rescue teams and other emergency response organizations from throughout the state and region participated.  Teams got the opportunity to practice management and field skills, in addition to having the vital opportunity to work together.  All involved had a great time, and "Mikey" the missing boy scout was found multiple times by various teams.

MARG members Jono Adams, Rusty Miller, Anne Devine-King, Christian Roper, Bru Randall, Dan Patterson and Carl Werntz were all in attendance at the exercise and participated in both field tasks and base/search management operations.

In addition, new developments are being made to the rest of the race information.  So please check out the race page if you're interested in participating, sponsoring or volunteering!

The morning training session involved litter handling and simple belays for semi-technical rescue.  MARG team members carried a fully weighted rescue litter up a slope while protected by a belayer using a simple tree-wrap friction belay.  The team took their patient, "Guenther" uphill several pitches of varying steepness and then back down.  It was a great practice session for new and old members alike.

Afterwards, an afternoon session was held in conjunction with the West Virginia Regional Response Team.  Representatives of the WVRRT brought the region's mass casualty trailer and gave those in attendance an orientation to the type of equipment stored on the truck and its locations.  Afterwards, WVRRT and MARG members worked collectively to erect one of the hospital tents stored on the truck.  This was a great opportunity to work with another regional response agency and see what each could potentially offer the other during incidents in the future.