RMNP's rugged beauty ups need for search and rescue

Mountainous terrain, high elevations and the allure of Longs Peak make for beautiful vistas in Rocky Mountain National Park, but also pose a potential danger to visitors.

Out of the 59 national parks in the U.S., RMNP often ranks in the top five for most search and rescue operations along with Grand Canyon, Rainier and Yosemite national parks.

Last year, there were 146 search and rescue incidents in the park. Between January and August this year, there have been 131.

Chief ranger Mark Pita said RMNP's search and rescue incidents haven't increased dramatically in recent years along with visitation, but the amount of people visiting the park each year has strained resources. 

In 2016, the park recorded 4.5 million visitors, up 40 percent from 2012.

"What's challenged us is that the increasing visitation puts additional demands on the same staff who do the search and rescue in the park," Pita said. "We're constantly having to juggle all the high visitation and the impacts related to that, in addition to the already heavy workload for search and rescue."

Nature:How to find bugling elk at Rocky Mountain National Park

The park doesn't have a dedicated search and rescue staff. Instead, park administrators organize training for staff members — such as rangers or facility managers — so they are prepared in the event that someone needs assistance. Some rangers go through more specialized training than others.

Pita said it's difficult to predict how many staff members the park will need to add as visitation grows, but over the past 10 years, the park's climbing ranger staff has grown from two seasonal positions to two permanent and six seasonal positions. These rangers have specialized skills, including technical and winter skills.

Park staff also coordinate and train regularly with search and rescue groups based in Larimer, Boulder and Grand counties to build skills in high-angle rescues, search management and carry-outs, among others.

Larimer County Search and Rescue volunteers have assisted in at least five missions in the park this year, and they help more often during winter months when the park's seasonal employees have left. 

“The reason why we do what we do is we want to make sure that people are safe and sound and get back to their families and loved ones," LCSAR president John Lee said. "If another agency needs resources, we’re going to help them out.”

Related:These hiking hot spots draw the most Larimer County rescue calls

LCSAR volunteers often help with carry-outs in RMNP, which Lee said tend to be labor-intensive as it's difficult to carry someone on a litter across rocky, steep and narrow paths. Rescuers often rotate in and out to avoid fatigue and at least 10 to 12 rescuers are needed to effectively carry a litter, he said.

While the most typical search and rescue incidents are hiking-related injuries, lower leg injuries, broken ankles and ground-height falls, more serious rescues also occur, Pita said.

In a spate of four days last month, RMNP rangers facilitated airlifts for three people who were seriously injured and also recovered the body of a man who died in the park. 

RMNP Spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said park visitors can underestimate the difficulty of hikes, some of which can stretch longer than a half-marathon distance. 

"Planning ahead is really important. Knowing the weather forecast is really important, especially if the destination is above the treeline," park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said. "... Weather sometimes ups the ante or is the reason for the injury."

Reporter Cassa Niedringhaus covers breaking news for the Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter: @CassaMN.

More:Fort Collins climber Alan Arnette returns to RMNP for first time after fall

Rocky Mountain National Park visitation numbers

2016: 4.5 million

2015: 4.2 million

2014: 3.4 million

2013: 3 million

2012: 3.2 million

5 tips to stay safe in the park 

Tell someone where you're going: Your general route and when you intend to return are key information. 

Pack the 10 essentials: In addition to water (3-4 quarts for a long hike), pack a map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, firestarter, matches, knife and extra food. 

Wear proper clothing: Layer your clothing and wear insulating, windproof material, such as synthetic or wool, not cotton. Sturdy, dry footwear is a must. Don't hike in the snow wearing jeans. 

Watch the weather: Winter conditions last much longer in Rocky Mountain National Park than in Fort Collins. Before you go, check weather conditions in the park at nps.gov/romo. Weather changes rapidly in the mountains and storms can be severe any month of the year, with lightning, rain, snow or hail often accompanied by strong winds.

Start early, get down early: Quickly moving afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer, which means lightning is a real concern, especially when above timberline. Plan to get down from the summit and below treeline by noon to avoid being caught in a lightning storm.