The Second Northwest Mountaineering Conference. Dedicated in large measure to the problem of mountain safety, and to search and rescue technique, the conference was held at Snoqualmie Pass in the State of Washington on 4-5 June 1949. The Washington Alpine Club and the Mountaineers, Inc., acted as hosts; the sponsoring agency was the Mountain Rescue and Safety Council of Washington. This group of meetings brought together 32 organizations with over 120 delegates from widely scattered parts of the country. Among the participants were skiing and outdoor clubs, government agencies and even military organizations, in addition to the strictly mountaineering groups. Of special interest was a fine demonstration by a Coast Guard Search and Rescue Detachment whose members used a helicopter. The crew had trained and practised with a civilian rescue patrol in advance of the conference.

Under the chairmanship of Wolf G. Bauer, of the Mountaineers, the Mountain Rescue and Safety Council has been carrying on excellent work in indoctrinating both climbers and the general public in the Pacific Northwest. The following program of possible use in other areas is quoted from the progress report on the Council’s activity during the year of 1949:

Rescue Phase

1. There has been successful aid by the rescue patrol in two mountain emergencies. Both resulted in injuries to young students climbing on snow without adequate training and equipment.

2. The Council has established close contact with Berg- wacht of the Bavarian Red Cross, having already acquired plans, books, equipment and training films for its own use and program. Summer and winter stretcher and sled equipment is being constructed for patrol use, and others are encouraged to do likewise in other areas.

3. Training and simulative field practice maneuvers have been made with the Armed Forces, and more intensive patrol training is contemplated.

4. The Council has been accepted as an official member to work within the framework of the Air Search and Rescue Plan of the Washington State Aeronautics Commission.

Safety Phase

1. The Council has printed and distributed hundreds of copies of a series of Mountain Safety Tips this year to schools, colleges, libraries, sporting goods stores, Forest Service, youth organizations, climbing clubs, etc. Literature and equipment displays were set up at the Seattle Public Library and Central Y.M.C.A. (and at present a booklet on mountain safety is being prepared for distribution to the public in general).

2. Through the Council’s efforts, Forest Service Registration for climbers in the northwest has been extended in scope and detail, and we are all well on the way to make the public ever more conscious of these self-protecting measures.

3. Through the vigorous campaigning of Major Griswold, the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs has approved and is supporting the work of this Council, and already three clubs have initiated safety and climbing standards and training into their programs. It is hoped similar councils will form in other areas.

4. Winter and summer mountain travel safety hints have been and are being given to the newspapers periodically, and school lectures and radio interviews further reinforce the safety program of the Council.

This conference was an exemplary success, and it is certainly the kind of program which should be enthusiastically continued. It is readily apparent that such an annual round-table offers the best medium for cooperative discussion of safety and rescue matters. The gathering at Snoqualmie Pass has proved conclusively that interest is high and that the subject is considered most important by all agencies and persons whose work or play takes them into the mountains.