Group membership in the 1980's decreased to around 60 people. 1981 saw a December 24 airplane crash (NTSB Report) on Mount Yale with a subsequent large multi-day search and 4 survivors rescued. We had an atypical grain silo rescue in 1984 and a successful rescue of Guenther Berger from the Navajo snowfield in 1986. In 1988, the RMRG 'Super Litter' made its debut. It was designed by RMRG to meet our specific needs of heavy use over rugged terrain in summer and winter and continues to be used today.
1981 - Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, now a National Park, is a spectacular canyon in western Colorado just east of Montrose. Pictured left is the 'Painted Wall', the tallest vertical wall in Colorado (2,250 ft.). On October 10, 1981 a parachutist jumped from the top of the cliff, but sustained fatal injuries when he collided with the wall. His remains were suspended by his parachute 1,100' below the top of the cliff. RMRG was called to perform the evacuation. The following day, RMRG retrieved the remains using our powered cable winch system.