New Year’s Day, 2025. Mt. Baker Wilderness. A backcountry snowboarder reported overdue. As daylight faded, volunteers from Bellingham Mountain Rescue (BMR) worked against the clock to devise a rescue strategy. The shifting elements conspired against them: frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall, avalanche hazards, and complex terrain.
The snowboarder endured a night in the frozen backcountry. The next day, Jan. 2, BMR mapped a route, scrapped it as avalanche conditions shifted, and then plotted a second route. They navigated the mountainous terrain in less than ideal conditions and finally reached the lost ‘boarder at 3 p.m. As darkness fell once again, they began the challenging hike back to safety. After two days in a hostile environment, the snowboarder returned home.
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Mountain Rescue
When we need help in the mountains, BMR responds, from the towering peaks of the North Cascades to the rolling trails of Galbraith and Chuckanut. This elite team of first responders, mountain professionals, and weekend warriors is composed entirely of volunteers who sacrifice their own time and safety for others in trouble.
And if there’s one thing BMR Vice President Harrison Brickman wants outdoor recreationists in the North Cascades to remember, it’s that their rescue services are no cost, no judgement.
“We are a public rescue service, and by ‘public’—interchange ‘free’ with that,” Brickman says. “The first thing is it’s no charge, and the second thing is it’s no judgment. I harp on this messaging a lot, especially in the winter. Please don’t worry about the cost. Please don’t worry about us judging you. Call early for rescue, please.”
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Mountain Rescue
BMR was formed in 1955 after two accidents on Shuksan demonstrated the need for a dedicated rescue organization in our community. Their current base of operations is the Whatcom County SAR building near Ferndale. They keep two rescue-ready vehicles that are “equipped to respond in all weather and road conditions and contain essential equipment for rescue, such as medical gear, ropes, mountaineering equipment, and our rescue litter.”
Similar to other mountain rescue units, BMR is housed under the Sheriff’s Department and fully integrated into the 911 dispatch program, according to professional mountain guide and BMR volunteer Alyssa Young. Partner agencies like North Cascades National Park or local fire departments also call on BMR when their technical rescue skills are needed. Luckily, modern technology makes it easier than ever to contact rescue services. Many smartphones allow backcountry users to call or text 911 without cell service using the “SOS” feature, and there are a variety of affordable satellite phone options.
Photograph courtesy of Bellingham Mountain Rescue
As a volunteer organization, BMR depends on community support to provide these life-saving services. They receive minimal funding from Whatcom County, but mostly rely on community donations to cover equipment and training expenses. Volunteers maintain personal gear at their own cost, a sacrifice they gladly make.
“I built my life around sharing mountains with people and trying to support people in having safe and joyful experiences outside,” concludes Young. “Part of playing in the mountains is knowing your day is not always going to go as planned, and I hope people know that’s why we’re in this volunteer organization and putting ourselves in the position to respond.”
To learn more about mountain rescue services, donate, or apply to volunteer, visit their website. Bellingham, bellinghammountainrescue.com
