The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team during a light-hearted training session.
If you hike, bike, or re-create in the San Gabriel Mountains, you have undoubtedly seen Altadena Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) at work. They are true superheroes in our local foothills.
Established in 1951, AMRT is one of the oldest search and rescue teams in the United States. It is one of eight rescue teams in LA County and consistently one of the busiest: The San Gabriel Mountain trails are readily accessible to LA County residents, and the terrain is rugged. This fall, Pasadena Community Foundation awarded a $25,000 Capital Grant to AMRT to help toward the purchase of a much-needed Ford Ranger truck.
An All-volunteer organization
AMRT is staffed entirely by volunteers who undergo rigorous training in technical rescue, first aid, navigation, and survival skills. In 2023, this expert team logged 154 search-and-rescue operations, assisting 172 individuals. They respond to lost or injured hikers or cyclists, individuals suffering from heat stroke, and even pets in distress.
Weekend patrols of the mountain areas within its jurisdiction are also part of their duties – you can often find them keeping a close eye on any one of the 20 canyons behind Altadena and Pasadena. When they are not on the trails, AMRT members conducts safety seminars and outreach programs to educate the public on hiking safety and preparedness.
Better equipped to respond for life-saving missions
AMRT is primarily funded by grants and donations, so it turned to PCF this year to seek funding for a new truck. The team currently relies on a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado, which has endured 17 years of rigorous use. The new Ford Ranger will be used for off-road excursions; it can transport at least five rescuers and their gear over the unforgiving fire roads in the San Gabriel Mountains. It can be used to transport ambulatory patients and tow vehicles. It will be key to the organization’s future life-saving missions.
“No one wakes up expecting to be rescued by the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team. Nevertheless, AMRT is consistently the busiest search and rescue team in Los Angeles County. The PCF grant will ensure the team’s readiness to respond to incidents as we face increasingly narrowing trails and an aging fleet of vehicles.” ~ David Chien, Team Leader, Altadena Mountain Rescue Team
You can help
Help get AMRT over the finish line of their truck fundraising with a donation of any amount. Visit AMRT’s Facebook, Instagram page @altadenamountainrescue, or AMRT’s webpage.
