Rocky Search And Rescue has successfully passed the requirements to be reaccredited for five more years, and will continue to rescue lost or injured climbers in the Rocky Mountains.

The Rocky Mountain House organization, dubbed by officials as Canada’s only to have Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) accreditation, completed a series of hands-on tests and mock rescues to get the certification.

The process involves demonstrating proficiency in technical rope or ice rescues and search management, among other skills.

Officials also say it recently travelled to Salt Lake City, Utah to sharpen skills at the Mountain Rescue Association conference.

President of Rocky Search And Rescue, Edward Van Heeran, who has personally attended to hundreds of calls over the years, says a typical year would see 40-50 calls for the organization to perform a rescue.

Van Heeran adds, there was a noticeable increase in the amount of calls during the pandemic, as more people sought to escape pandemic restrictions in the great outdoors.

The calls typically stem from 911 or RCMP calls, as Rocky Search And Rescue can’t be dispatched on its own, says Van Heeran.

In light of an ongoing search for mountaineers near Squamish, BC, Van Heeran says climbers should never head out unless they’re properly prepared.

“Make sure you let someone know where you’re going, that helps rescue organizations know where to start looking” says Van Heeran. “Go prepared with proper gear.”

Proper gear includes packing Garmin inReach satellite communicators, SOS spots, and if you can, a satellite phone, says Van Heeran, as many climbing locations in the back country have no cell service.

Organizers say while Rocky Search And Rescue does receive grants from governing bodies such as Clearwater County and the Town of Rocky Mountain House, its main fundraising is from private donations.

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