Alpine Rescue Team

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The start of what has become the Alpine Rescue Team, like many other organizations, grew from a specific event. In 1958, an incident occurred in Turkey Creek Canyon involving two climbers climbing on a rock face known as Lovers Leap. The rescue dealing with these two individuals involved the combined efforts of the Idledale, Evergreen and Indian Hills Fire Departments along with some recreational climbers. Because of this incident, the surrounding community fire departments and ambulance personnel were forced to recognize that they were ill trained and not equipped to perform high angle rock rescues and evacuations in the Clear Creek, Bear Creek and Turkey Creek drainages. The piton that dislodged resulting in one of the climbers falling to his death and the other climber being injured at Lover's Leap was found by Dick Perkins, then Fire Chief of Indian Hills, and is now housed in a wood and glass display case at the team's headquarters. This mission, the increased local need for a technical mountain rescue capability and the active encouragement of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group in Boulder were all essential factors in the formation of the Alpine Rescue Team. In its formative stages, before incorporation, the Team was sponsored by the volunteer fire departments of Evergreen, Indian Hills and Idledale. After all three departments requested volunteers to join this special rescue unit; the first ever meeting in 1959 had six members in attendance, 2 members from each of the three mountain fire departments. Early on, the team realized that they had to learn to climb and protect each other before they could even consider helping anyone else. It was not until the arrival of Gordon Stucker, a member of the renowned 10th Mountain Division, did the team have a leader to train them in the different aspects of Mountain Rescue. Rozzie Clark Jr., then the Fire Chief of the Evergreen Fire Department, was able to convince Gordon to attend one of the meeting's and ultimately take over the training aspect of the team. As stated by Charter member, Gene Lines, "Rozzie Clark Jr. kept us alive financially and Gordon Stucker kept us alive physically." Gordon and Joann Stucker's personal friendship with Roy and Alice Holubar allowed the Alpine Rescue Team to acquire specially designed mountaineering equipment for the Team. Alice Holubar was a designer of mountaineering clothing, packs and sleeping bags, running the business from her basement home in Boulder. Holubar was the first American Mountaineering Mail Order supply House. Alice Holubar was to the mountaineering equipment business in America what the 10th Mountain Division was to the American ski industry. With assistance from Alice Holubar and the American Red Cross, the team was able to locate surplus climbing equipment, stokes litters and medical supplies. The team still has the original down filled sleeping bag that was designed by Alice Holubar. As the Team's mountain search and rescue expertise increased, it was time to separate from the Fire Districts and become an independent organization. In February of 1960, the nine Charter Members listed below, developed the original Team By-laws. It was not until April 20th, 1960 that the organization was incorporated with the name, Alpine Rescue Team. The principal office of the corporation was located in Kittredge. Seven of the nine charter members served as the first Board of Directors. Alpine Rescue Team's nine (9) Charter Members as listed on the original Article of Incorporation include:

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