May 2026

At 11:53 p.m. on May 1st, the Seattle Mountain Rescue response team was informed  of a pending mission response on Infinite Bliss — a route well known in the Pacific Northwest climbing community for both its location and its scale. Stretching across 23 pitches with nearly 2,600 feet of elevation gain, Infinite Bliss is considered one of the longest bolted sport climbing routes in North America. Long before the first pitch, climbers commit to a serious day in steep terrain where timing, weather, route management, and equipment all matter.

That night, two day-climbers found themselves unable to descend after their ropes became damaged during the climb. After multiple attempts at self-rescue, the party made a critical decision: they secured themselves in place and called 911 for help. To understand what happens after calling 911, read about what goes on in “Anatomy of a Search and Rescue Mission”. 

That decision mattered.

Seattle Mountain Rescue established contact with the climbers and mobilized a five-person field team. Through the night, rescuers moved steadily through steep and technical terrain, navigating darkness, exposure, and fatigue to reach the stranded climbers by early morning.

Once contact was made, the team assisted the climbers through a safe rappel descent off the route. By late morning, everyone was back at the trailhead — tired, but safe.

Infinite Bliss

Incidents like this are a reminder that even highly traveled and established climbing routes can become serious very quickly. On long alpine-style climbs, small problems can compound fast: damaged gear, fatigue, communication breakdowns, changing conditions, or simply running out of time. Infinite Bliss may be bolted, but its length and complexity demand the same respect as many larger mountain objectives.

We’re grateful the climbers made the decision to stop, stabilize, and call for assistance before the situation escalated further. Good decision-making in the mountains often looks exactly like this: recognizing when conditions have changed and knowing when to ask for help.

For Seattle Mountain Rescue, this mission was another example of why we train year-round. Our volunteers dedicate thousands of hours annually to technical rigging, mountain travel, medical care, communications, and rescue systems so we’re prepared when the call comes — no matter the time, weather, or terrain.

Because when something goes wrong in the backcountry, time matters. Experience matters. Teamwork matters.

And every mission ends with the same goal: Everyone comes home from the backcountry.

Seattle Mountain Rescue is an all-volunteer organization funded entirely through donations and grants. SMR now offers several tax-smart giving options. Consider a gift of stocks, donor advised funds (DAFs) or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).  If you’d like to support missions like this and help keep our rescuers trained, equipped, and ready to respond day or night, please consider supporting our Operations Fund: Seattle Mountain Rescue Operations Fund

For more than 75 years, Seattle Mountain Rescue (SMR) has responded to emergencies in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest using strong rescue fundamentals: medical care, rope systems, terrain management, navigation, communication, and highly trained volunteers who keep moving long after most people turn back.

As outdoor recreation continues to grow across Washington State, so does the complexity and frequency of rescue missions. Seattle Mountain Rescue is continuing to evaluate how emerging technology may help volunteers respond more safely and effectively in difficult terrain.

This spring, SMR began testing the Hypershell X Ultra powered exoskeleton as part of a structured field evaluation program. The Hypershell X Ultra is a lightweight powered hip exoskeleton designed to assist movement during steep climbs, long approaches, and heavy load carries. Using sensors and real-time gait analysis, the system adds mechanical assistance during the most physically demanding parts of a stride, particularly while traveling uphill and carrying heavy equipment.

The goal of the exoskeleton evaluation is straightforward: determine whether this technology can meaningfully improve safety, efficiency, and operational capability during mountain rescue missions. Throughout the testing period, SMR volunteers are using the exoskeletons in a variety of real-world conditions, including:

• Steep trail ascents and descents
• Long approaches carrying rescue equipment
• Winter travel and layered clothing systems
• Mixed-terrain movement
• Inclement weather conditions
• Potential subject-assisted mobility scenarios

Potential benefits include reducing rescuer fatigue on long approaches, helping teams move gear more efficiently, and ultimately reaching ill, injured, or lost subjects sooner. If the technology proves reliable in real mountain conditions, it could meaningfully improve outcomes by supporting clearer decision‑making, sustaining performance over demanding terrain, and maintaining operational momentum during multi‑hour evacuations.

This week, KING 5 News joined SMR volunteers to learn more about the testing program and how emerging outdoor technology may support future rescue operations. Watch the story here:
Seattle Mountain Rescue deploys exoskeletons as second U.S. SAR team to use the technology

These systems are not intended to replace rescuers or traditional search and rescue skills. SMR volunteers continue to rely on training, teamwork, and technical proficiency in challenging terrain and changing mountain conditions.

SMR’s approach to technology remains mission-focused. Tools are evaluated based on whether they improve rescuer safety, operational effectiveness, and response capability in the field. Existing technologies already used by the team include drones, e-bikes, satellite communications, shared digital mapping platforms, and AI-based planning and analysis tools. Technology is simply a tool that empowers rescuers to move more efficiently, more effectively, and more safely with the goal of providing life-saving services to the outdoor community. 

To learn more about other technologies Seattle Mountain Rescue is evaluating and using in the field, visit: New Technology in Search and Rescue

Community support helps Seattle Mountain Rescue maintain the training, equipment, and readiness needed to respond when people need help in the mountains.

If you’re interested in supporting SMR, your contribution helps volunteers evaluate emerging technology, maintain operational readiness, and bring critical tools into the field when every minute matters. SMR now offers several tax-smart giving options. Consider a gift of stocks, donor advised funds (DAFs) or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Support Seattle Mountain Rescue

Download our free, outdoor coloring pages: 

• Coloring page: rescue mission
• Color page: hikers resting with their doc
• Game: word search and maze

At Seattle Mountain Rescue, our mission has always been simple and powerful: Everyone comes home from the backcountry. Since our founding in 1948, our all-volunteer team has answered the call—day or night, in any weather—when someone needs help in the mountains.

Now, we’re excited to share a new way for kids (and kids at heart) to connect with that mission: our Seattle Mountain Rescue coloring and activity pages.

On the front page, you’ll find a rescue scene that captures what we do best—highly trained volunteers working together in rugged terrain, using ropes, and teamwork. While ropes have been part of mountain rescue since the beginning, today’s equipment is lighter, stronger, and more advanced—helping us move faster and operate more safely in challenging environments. 

While we honor our long history, we’re always looking ahead. Seattle Mountain Rescue continues to research and implement new technologies, such as drones, that strengthen our ability to respond—helping us make better decisions, move more efficiently, and ultimately save lives. As these tools evolve, they will play an even greater role in how we carry out our mission. 

But rescue is about more than gear—it’s about people.

That’s where Ruffles comes in.

Ruffles is a certified crisis response canine and an important member of our team. Trained to provide calm, comfort, and connection, Ruffles supports both rescuers and those impacted by our missions during moments of uncertainty, grief, and fatigue. Whether sitting beside a tired teammate or offering quiet companionship to a worried family member, Ruffles reminds us that emotional support is just as vital as technical skill.

Flip to the back page, and the adventure continues with a word search and maze challenge. Kids can explore rescue-related words like avalanche, helicopter, and navigation, or help Ruffles find the way back to the command vehicle. These activities offer a fun glimpse into the world of search and rescue—where teamwork, training, and problem-solving come together in real life. 

These outdoor coloring pages are more than just a fun activity—they’re a window into a world of service, resilience, and compassion. We hope they inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and maybe even plant the seed for a future rescuer.

Because no matter your age, the spirit of helping others is something we can all share.

Some heroes wear helmets. Some carry ropes.
And some… wag their entire body when they greet you.

Meet Ruffles, a beloved member of Seattle Mountain Rescue whose impact goes far beyond the mountains. Born on January 25, 2021, Ruffles has grown into a unique and powerful presence—one that brings comfort, connection, and joy wherever she goes.

A Calling Rooted in Compassion

Ruffles’ journey began with a love for people—especially kids. She started her career with Reading With Rover, where she helped young readers build confidence simply by being a calm, nonjudgmental listener.

There’s something special about a dog who listens without interrupting, without correcting—just quietly encouraging. Ruffles not only embraced this role, she now helps mentor other dogs learning to do the same, spreading her gentle influence even further.

A Natural Fit for Seattle Mountain Rescue

Since early 2021, Ruffles has been raised alongside the team at Seattle Mountain Rescue, growing up immersed in a culture of service, resilience, and care for others.

While SMR responders train thousands of hours in technical rescue, navigation, and medical care, Ruffles represents another essential piece of the mission: emotional support.

In moments of uncertainty—whether waiting for news, processing a difficult outcome, or simply catching a breath after a long mission—Ruffles is there.

No commands needed. Just presence.

Certified to Comfort in Times of Crisis

In 2023, Ruffles took her role even further by becoming a certified crisis response canine with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response.

This certification means she is trained to respond in high-stress environments—supporting individuals, families, and even first responders during times of trauma, grief, or disaster. Her work has extended beyond local missions, with deployments on a national level when called.

Because sometimes, the most powerful form of help isn’t technical—it’s emotional.

Not All Work… Plenty of Play

Of course, Ruffles isn’t all business.

When she’s not supporting missions or lending comfort, you’ll likely find her:

• Running through the trails and forests of the Snoqualmie Valley
• Exploring the beauty of the San Juan Islands
• Diving enthusiastically into any body of water she can find

She hasn’t met a lake, river, or shoreline she doesn’t love.

And if you’ve ever met her, you know this to be true:
Ruffles doesn’t just wag her tail—her whole body wags.

More Than a Dog

Ruffles reminds us that rescue isn’t only about reaching people in the mountains—it’s about caring for them, and for each other, every step of the way.

She brings smiles in hard moments.
She builds connection when words fall short.
She shows us that strength can be soft, and that comfort can be powerful.

In a world that often feels heavy, Ruffles is a living reminder of something simple and profound:

Kindness matters. Presence matters. And sometimes, healing begins with a wag. 🐶💛

If you’d like to support programs like Ruffles’ and the work of Seattle Mountain Rescue, consider making a donation or learning more about how you can get involved.  SMR now offers several tax-smart giving options. Consider a gift of stocks, donor advised funds (DAFs) or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).