Western Mountain Rescue Team

10/28/2026

Western Mountain Rescue Team would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Yoshihara.

We would also like to thank the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office, National Park Service, and everyone who assisted with the search and recovery efforts.

Our thoughts are with the family and all those affected by this loss.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Missing Montrose Man Recovered from Blue Mesa Reservoir

GUNNISON COUNTY, Colo. October 27, 2026 — The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office reports that the body of 75-year-old Don Yoshihara of Montrose, Colorado, was recovered from Blue Mesa Reservoir on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, following a search near the Dillon Pinnacles area.

The Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a vehicle near the Dillon Pinnacles area of Blue Mesa Reservoir that matched the description of a vehicle associated with a missing person from Montrose. The vehicle had reportedly been parked in the area for several days.

Deputies initiated a search of the area, and Western State Search and Rescue personnel were deployed to assist. Search efforts continued into the evening of Monday, October 26, but were suspended due to darkness.

Search operations resumed the following morning, Tuesday, October 27, when search personnel recovered the body of Don Yoshihara from within Blue Mesa Reservoir.

The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the efforts of Western State Search and Rescue, National Park Service and all personnel involved in the search and recovery operation. Our condolences go out to the family of Mr. Yoshihara.

Sheriff
Adam W. Murdie
Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office

10/28/2026

Western Mountain Rescue Team extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the three individuals who lost their lives in the aircraft crash near Storm Ridge.

We would like to thank the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office, Crested Butte Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, Gunnison County Coroner, Tenderfoot Outfitters, Castleton Ranch, and the many other individuals who came together during this difficult operation.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

10/15/2026

On October 14, 2026, at 1459, Western Mountain Rescue Team was paged for a missing hunter in the Waunita Hot Springs area.

After establishing phone contact with the hunter, team members were able to determine their approximate location using a phone GPS ping. A team of five was deployed to the area, where they located the hunter and assisted them back to the road.

We would like to thank the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office for their support on this mission.

Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations and keep the backcountry safe for all. Please consider donating to support our mission. Link to donate is in our bio.

09/18/2026

This week, Western Mountain Rescue Team welcomed our newest Field Class members for their first night of training!

Field Class started with the foundations, covering basic knots and personal packs as they begin developing the skills they’ll use throughout the semester and in the field.

Meanwhile, Support Class continued their training by working with our high-angle single main, separate belay system, getting hands-on practice with the systems used during technical rescues.

We’re excited to welcome our new Field Class and watch both classes continue building their skills throughout the semester!

Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!
WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations and keep the backcountry safe for all. Please consider donating to support our mission. Link to donate is in our bio.

09/15/2026

On Saturday, September 12, WMRT members provided standby coverage for the Gunni Grinder, supporting riders throughout the event.

Later that afternoon, at 1513, the team was paged for a stranded climber/hiker in Taylor Canyon near the plane crash. Members located the subject uninjured but unable to safely return to the trail. The subject was placed on belay and assisted back up the steep terrain before walking out to the vehicles with team members.

From supporting community events to responding when someone needs assistance in the backcountry, it was a full day for WMRT members.

Western Mountain Rescue Team is a volunteer organization and never charges for rescue services. If you would like to support our team, donations help us purchase and maintain the equipment needed to continue serving our community.

GunniGrinder

08/31/2026

This past Saturday, Western Mountain Rescue Team returning members took to the field for a day of technical rescue training. Members practiced patient packaging, litter movement through steep and technical terrain, and rope-assisted patient movement.
Training scenarios like these allow returning members to refresh technical skills, practice working together as a team, and prepare for the upcoming year.
A special thank you to our volunteer patient for helping make the training possible! Keep an eye out in the future for how you can volunteer to be a patient.

08/27/2026

Are you interested in joining the western mountain rescue team? Join us for our information meeting Thursday September 10th at 6pm in the Rady building. Both students and community members are welcome!

08/12/2026

On August 9, 2026, at 1139, Western Mountain Rescue Team was paged for an injured climber on Spring Creek Tower.

Team members climbed approximately 35 meters to reach the patient and provide initial care. Due to the patient’s location several pitches up the climb, the team coordinated with assisting agencies for a helicopter short-haul evacuation. The patient was successfully extricated, and team members returned to town at 2059.

We would like to extend our appreciation to Gunnison Valley Paramedics, Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office, CareFlight, and the Colorado Hoist Rescue Team for their assistance on this mission.

Search and Rescue services are performed by volunteer SAR teams are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations and keep the backcountry safe for all. Please consider donating to support our mission. Link to donate is in our bio.

07/01/2026

On June 23, 2026, at 1730, Western Mountain Rescue Team was paged to assist with a search in the area of the Van Tuyl trail.
Team members responded alongside the Gunnison Police Department, Gunnison Fire Department, Gunnison Valley Paramedics, and resources from Crested Butte Search and Rescue. Through the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the operation was successfully concluded.
We would like to thank our partner agencies for their professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration throughout this mission.
Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call if you find yourself in need of assistance in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!
WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations and keep the backcountry safe for all. Please consider supporting our mission. The link to donate can be found in our bio.

06/24/2026

On June 21, 2026, the team was paged at 1216 for an injured dirt biker in the Taylor Park area.

One group responded via ATV over Taylor Pass while a second ground team, accompanied by Gunnison Valley Paramedics, hiked in via the Taylor Divide Trail. The patient was assessed and treated before being evacuated by helicopter. The team returned to Gunnison at 0048 on June 22.

We would like to extend our appreciation to Gunnison Valley Paramedics, our aviation resources, and our partner agencies for their assistance on this mission.

Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations and keep the backcountry safe for all. Please consider donating to support our mission. Link to donate is in our bio.