Fall 2010
55th Tevis Cup Trail Ride
The Tevis Cup is a 100-miles-in-a-day horse ride from Tahoe to Auburn along the Western States Trail. Time Magazine calls it one of the world's top 10 endurance events. The ride is held in July or early August on the weekend closest to the full moon.This year the event started on Saturday, July 24. The horses are monitored by veterinarians at regular check points along the trail. Those unable to pass a physical or who arrive after the cut-off time are pulled from the ride, for their own safety. Only about 50% of the starters finish the ride. The entire NFARA Board of Directors volunteered this year to staff the vet check at Lyon Ridge.
An introduction of the NFARA Board is in order. President – Jim Ricker of Dutch Flat, Vice-president – Ron Gould of Weimar, Secretary – Catherine O'Riley of Nevada County, Treasurer – Judy Suter of Gold Run. At-large board members are Bob Suter of Gold Run, Heidi Johnson and Jim Johnson of Alta, and Rick Ramos of Nevada County. Unlike many of our regular Board meetings, every Board member showed up for this event. In addition to NFARA volunteers, there was Mike the veterinarian, Cynthia the vet helper, Pete the radio guy with wife Jody, Susan Prince the photographer, and Rick's wife Denise. It was great fun to camp out under the stars, eat good food and get to know each other better.
Bob and Judy Suter have been involved with the ride for several years both as participants and as volunteers. Judy was the Volunteer Coordinator for the 2010 Ride. Bob was Head Volunteer for the Lyon Ridge Vet Check. Lyon Ridge is the ridge between the North Fork and the Middle Fork of the American River. This year the vet check moved to Hodgson Cabin, where running water is available. Several volunteers arrived on Thursday to help set up water troughs, mark the trail, and post signs regarding the vet check. This gave us the time to hike into the Granite Chief Wilderness on Friday. We also took time to smell the flowers, especially the pennyroyal and mule ear. This year the flowers were as spectacular as I've ever seen. The spring flowers were late and the mid-summer flowers were on time, so there was an abundance of color and aroma.
The day of the ride saw us rising at dark:30 a.m. so we were ready by 7:30. The riders started at Robie Park at 5:15 a.m. and began arriving at Lyon Ridge between 7:30 and 8:00. Catherine and I checked off the riders as they arrived at the vet check. Heidi and Ron helped at the troughs, holding horses and getting water for the riders. Rick and Denise checked the riders out as they left. Jim Johnson agreed to be the official medical guy because of his experience as an EMT in Oakland. Bob and Judy made sure everything ran smoothly and everybody did their jobs. At this particular check point, the horses trot by the vet. If any look like they are having trouble, they get pulled. No one was pulled at Lyon Ridge. At the vet checks farther along, riders dismount and the horses get a thorough exam. There are also several mandatory one-hour breaks during the course of the ride.
Everything was going smoothly at the check point when we got a radio transmission that someone had fallen at Cougar Rock. Jim Johnson headed out on a small motorcycle to Cougar Rock, about 4 miles away. A photographer had fallen about 20 feet and was severely injured. Jim Johnson was the first qualified medical responder on the scene. After treating the man for shock and analyzing his injuries, Jim called for the helicopter. This is a remote area with terrible road access so a helicopter rescue was the proper call.
Pete, the radio guy, did a spectacular job, calmly juggling radios and frequencies. Each agency (CHP, Sheriff, etc) has their own radio frequencies. Tevis volunteers have their own radios and we had some handheld units, all with different frequencies. Pete coordinated the information coming in and got it to the proper personnel. It seemed like chaos but Pete definitely knew what he was doing. The first helicopter on the scene was too big to land or even get close to the victim. The CHP helicopter arrived but couldn't land. Amazingly, however, it did get close enough for the paramedic to jump to the ground with equipment. After the paramedic wrapped the man up on a backboard, the helicopter came back and, using a long line, airlifted him out. The man had two broken arms, a broken leg and a broken nose. Given the terrain and his fall, he was one lucky fellow.
Those of us not directly involved were watching the whole event with binoculars. It probably took 3 hours from the first call of a man down to when he was finally airlifted out. It was amazing to watch the helicopters navigate. The pilot of the CHP helicopter was awesome, maneuvering around all the trees on that narrow ridgeline.
I know who I want to be contacted if I ever need to be rescued.
We plan to volunteer again next year although we hope it is not quite as exciting. This is the type of thing NFARA should be doing, especially for events located in and around the North Fork. This helps promote NFARA and expands our contacts with other organizations and individuals.
NFARA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed to promote and preserve the wild, scenic and cultural heritage within the watershed of the North Fork of the American River. For further information on NFARA’S goals and activities contact me at 530-389-8344 or by email at jvricker@prince-ricker.net.
Updated 9/15/14 |
