Area SAR teams dedicated to their mission

Before they can get someone off a cliff face or find a missing person, search and rescue teams put countless hours in training to be ready for the real deal.

The weekend of June 28-29, David Thompson Search and Rescue hosted teams from the region at a rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground outside of Libby. A Two Bear Air helicopter made a special visit Sunday before everyone went home and showed how its hoist is used to make special rescues in difficult places.

But Tuesday evening, while they were training, DTSAR had the real deal when a father and son hiking to Leigh Lake got off the main trail’s north side and ended up stuck on the side of the mountain in a cliffy area.

“They used the SOS feature on their cell phone to get word out and we deployed our Mountain unit to get them out,” DTSAR’s Tony Jenson said. “It was after dark until we got back down, but fortunately, no one was injured.”

The out-of-staters were exploring one of the most popular areas in the Cabinet Mountains when they took a side trail that was nearly their undoing. Unit members used their expertise with ropes

Leigh Lake Trail, a short, but extremely steep haul to the lake, has claimed more than a few lives and many more injuries over the years.

During the rendezvous, members of SAR teams from the Flathead Valley, North Valley, Boundary, Sanders County, Can-Aam and their families enjoyed a weekend of camping while doing presentations and sharing information.

Part of the training involved DTSAR’s K-9 team, led by Terry Crooks.

During Sunday’s event, team member Sarah worked with a seven-month-old Border Collie named “Lacie” to find missing people. The “missing” who participated rubbed their skin with a paper towel before transferring it to a plastic bag.

The volunteers then hid behind a tall tree or in the grass while Sarah allowed the dog a good sniff of the paper towel. In short order, “Lacie,” found the hidden subject.

“We’re training her to do everything, so she will be a valuable member of the team,” Sarah said.

Four members of the K-9 team are certified to work while a few others are in training to join the group.

Two Bear Air wrapped up the weekend with its presentation and the opportunity to see how the Bell copter’s hoist system.

When volunteers were sought to take a ride, Valerie Albert and Dick Balcom gamely stepped up.

At 89 years of age, Balcom is DTSAR’s oldest member and Albert is also one of the group’s senior members.

Before Albert took the ride a look on her face didn’t necessary suggest complete confidence in what she was about to do, but after a few minutes, any misgivings she and Balcom had were dispelled.

Two Bear Air, which celebrated its 10th anniversary a year ago, has been providing world-class aviation support for SAR teams in the Northwest part of the country, including Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington and eastern Oregon.

“We really appreciate Two Bear coming up and giving a demo of some of the specialized work they do in rescues,” DTSAR’s Jon Obst said. “This weekend when we get together is always a great time for everyone and it allows new members to get to know the veterans and their families.”

For more information about David Thompson SAR, go to https://dtsar.org/ or its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/dtsar56/.

For more information about Two Bear Air, go to https://www.twobearairrescue.org/.

    David Thompson Search and Rescue's Valerie Albert seems to have some doubt about participating in a helicopter hoist lift with 2 Bear Air Sunday, June 29, 2025, during a training rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Lacie, a seven-month-old Border Collie, and her handler, Flathead Search and Rescue's Sarah work on finding lost people using their scent Sunday, June 29, 2025, during a training rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Flathead Search and Rescue's Darren Wise, second from left, celebrates a safe landing Sunday, June 29, 2025, with David Thompson Search and Rescue members Valerie Albert, Dick Balcom and Jon Obst during a training rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Flathead Search and Rescue's Darren Wise, right, and David Thompson Search and Rescue members Dick Balcom get ready to land Sunday, June 29, 2025, during a training rendezvous at Fawn Creek Campground. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)