Following World War II, climbers Wolf Bauer (Mountaineer’s climbing course founder), Kurt Beam, Dr. Otto Trott, and other climbers started the Mountain Rescue Council, which was later renamed Seattle Mountain Rescue (SMR). SMR was officially organized in 1948 under sponsorship of the Mountaineers, Washington Alpine Club, and the NW Region of the National Ski Patrol.
Seattle Mountain Rescue is a primary first responder for all-season search, rescue & recovery operations in mountainous and hazardous terrain throughout the State of Washington, operating under the King County Sheriff’s Office.
We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, of seasoned alpinists dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue and mountain safety education in the Pacific Northwest.
SMR is a fully accredited Mountain Rescue Association team member. The unit specializes in mountainous terrain searches and high angle rescues, primarily in King County, Washington.
Our Mission
Incorporated in 1948, Seattle Mountain Rescue is a volunteer organization of seasoned alpinists dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue, and mountain safety education. It specializes in mountainous terrain searches and high angle rescues, primarily in King County, Washington. It is a fully-accredited member of the Mountain Rescue Association and the King County Search and Rescue Association.