SEARCH & RESCUE

Our Boots On The Ground…

The Carolina Mountain Club’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Crew, in collaboration with Haywood County Search and Rescue, plays a crucial role in wilderness safety and emergency response in the Southern Appalachian region. Established in 2021, the 30+ person team is made up of highly trained men and women dedicated to serving the local outdoor community with educational “preventative search and rescue” events, as well as “boots on the ground” assistance. This diversity strengthens its capabilities, reflecting a broad range of skills and perspectives that are essential for the physically and mentally demanding nature of search and rescue missions.

The partnership between the Carolina Mountain Club’s Search and Rescue Crew and Haywood County Search and Rescue is notable for being the only known collaboration of its kind in the Southeast between a professional search and rescue organization and a volunteer hiking club. This unique alliance enhances the capabilities of both groups, leveraging the extensive knowledge and passion of the hiking community alongside the professional expertise and resources of a dedicated SAR organization. This collaboration not only broadens the scope of search and rescue operations, but also exemplifies innovative approaches to wilderness safety, setting a precedent for future partnerships in the region.