Kittitas County Search & Rescue

05/21/2026

Happy National Search & Rescue Week!!

KCSR is made up of community members who spend long hours training, responding to calls, maintaining equipment, and planning & supporting missions— all on a volunteer basis. As a non-profit organization, we rely on donations, fundraising, and community support to continue operating and serving our area.

We’re proud to be part of a larger SAR community dedicated to helping others.

05/08/2026

Temperatures are beginning to creep up in Kittitas County, and the rivers and lakes start to look real inviting this time of the year!

Remember that early season rivers and alpine lakes are far colder than most people expect, and sudden immersion can trigger cold shock — causing gasping, panic, and loss of muscle control within seconds.

🦺 Wear a life jacket
💧Wade slowly into the water
📱 Keep a protected phone nearby
👥 Stay together with your group
🗺️ Make a plan before heading out

Thanks for joining us in our poetry corner.

OutdoorSafety

04/27/2026

Despite it being eerily windless at the Run Like the Wind race this morning (maybe for the first time ever?!), KCSR volunteers had a great day supporting runners on this challenging 5k and 10k course!

We’re grateful to be a part of this crew again this year and couldn’t have picked a better day to be outside 😎

04/01/2026

With recent spring elections, we decided to introduce our KCSR leadership… but in the most adorable way possible 👶✨

03/16/2026

When it rains, it pours! 🌧️❄️

Today, Kittitas County Search & Rescue, in cordination with , responded to three separate calls as sticky, wet snow made backcountry travel difficult and avalanche risk considerable.

Thanks to the teamwork and support from and Chelan County SAR, all three missions ended successfully.

We’re grateful for all the volunteers who responded, and the strong partnerships that help keep our backcountry users safe. Stay aware of current conditions and plan accordingly if you’re heading into the mountains.

03/16/2026

🏃‍♀️🌬️ Run Like the Wind with Kittitas County Search & Rescue!

Join Kittitas County Search & Rescue at the Run Like the Wind Running Festival on Sunday, April 26th at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility! This awesome event benefits KCSR, and our volunteers will be cheering you on from the aid stations.

Choose your challenge:
🏃 5K
🏃‍♂️ 10K
👟 Kids Dash

After you cross the finish line, stick around for homemade chili and Iron Horse beer (21+).

Sign up today through the link below and come run with the wind while supporting your local Search & Rescue team!

https://run-like-the-wind.com/home-page

01/12/2026

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those lost. Our thoughts are with you.

Thank you to our Kittitas County Search and Rescue volunteers who responded to this mission and the King County Guardian 2 helicopter crew.

MEDIA RELEASE: AVALANCHE NEAR LONGS PASS CLAIMS TWO LIVES, TWO RESCUED
On Friday, January 9, at about 4:00 p.m., four men recreating in the backcountry snow near Longs Pass in the mountains of northern Kittitas County were caught in an avalanche. Two men—Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass—were killed.

Two survivors, Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, were able to send a distress call using a Garmin satellite device. Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Kittitas County Search & Rescue (KCSR) volunteers responded.

Responders reached the remote area using snowmobiles and winter backcountry equipment and transported the two survivors out that evening. Due to hazardous conditions, a nighttime recovery operation for the deceased was not conducted.

On Saturday morning, January 10, teams returned with three trained avalanche search K9s. Because of the rugged, remote terrain, air support was requested. King County’s Guardian 2 helicopter assisted by airlifting the two deceased men to a search base, where they were placed in the care of the Kittitas County Coroner’s Office.

The ground team also recovered the men’s personal effects, including the two snowmobiles used by the party. Representatives of the Northwest Avalanche Center came to the scene to assist in analyzing the accident.

The Sheriff’s Office and KCSR extend condolences to the families and friends of those lost.

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Media inquiries to
[email protected]

12/24/2025

🎄🚨 Christmas Eve Rescue 🚨🎄

At 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve, KCSO deputies got a call from none other than the Grinch, who attempted a high-speed sleigh run down Mount Crumpit in the Salmon La Sac area… and wiped out. Result: one injured leg, one exhausted dog, and a sleigh ride gone wrong.

Kittitas County Search & Rescue hiked 6 miles in, patched up Mr. Grinch, and hauled him out on a litter. Thanks to top-notch care (and maybe a little holiday spirit), his heart grew three sizes on the way out 💚💚💚

Grinchy reminder as winter rolls on: sleighs are a no-go in Wilderness areas, and dogs are not approved draft animals.

From our hearts (now slightly bigger) to yours — Happy Holidays from KCSR 🎅❄️

12/21/2025

Ever thought about joining Kittitas County Search & Rescue? 👀

Applications for our 2026 Academy close December 31!

KCSR members can be on any of the following 8 teams: Ground, K9, Horse, Snowmobile, ORV, Communication & Mission Support, UAS, and Youth.

We are a volunteer run, nonprofit organization.

Visit our website (link in bio) to learn more info and to get connected.

12/18/2025

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the Avalanche Awareness Class on Monday! ❄️🙌

Shoutout to for teaching the class and to for the stellar donation—your support makes a difference!

Missed this one? No worries! Join us for our next Avalanche Awareness Class on January 12 at 6:00 PM at CWU’s SURC. No registration required—just show up and learn.

Stay safe out there, and keep praying for snow!! 🏔️⛷️