Western Mountain Rescue Team

Western Mountain Rescue Team WMRT is the only team in the nation accredited by the MRA whose majority membership is university students. This page is NOT monitored for emergencies.

The Western Mountain Rescue Team was first accredited by the Mountain Rescue Association in 1987 and has since remained the only collegiate-based team in the MRA. WMRT works with local and state law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire crews, the National Parks Service, National Guard, and other search and rescue organizations to provide exemplary mountain rescue services to the Gunnison Valley.

Kicking off homecoming weekend in our most rescue appropriate attire! On Friday October 10th, the team gathered on Tende...
10/20/2025

Kicking off homecoming weekend in our most rescue appropriate attire! On Friday October 10th, the team gathered on Tenderfoot Mountain to perform our annual event of lighting the W.
In honor of our Reaccreditation this year we brought 4 Alumni members with us to participate in this tradition!
Thanks to all who showed up!

On Saturday, September 27th, the team rolled out to Hartman rocks recreation area for our annual Ascend & Rappel trainin...
10/06/2025

On Saturday, September 27th, the team rolled out to Hartman rocks recreation area for our annual Ascend & Rappel training. This training is our first major scenario day of the training season, new members ascend Buddha's Belly formation, then rappel down the face, they also complete stations to practice skills such as Anchor building, lowering system operation, and completing a mini scenario that puts it all together. This year's new members show great promise as we hunker down for Hunting season and our reaccreditation in the spring.

1 week remaining to enter our ticketed give away for the lighting of the W!It is $5 to enter and we will take 4 (four) W...
10/04/2025

1 week remaining to enter our ticketed give away for the lighting of the W!
It is $5 to enter and we will take 4 (four) Western Alum up with us. Link is in our bio.
Hope to see you there!

On Friday September 19th, the team was paged at 9:30 for a hunter approximately 5 miles up Mill Creek trail reporting ch...
09/25/2025

On Friday September 19th, the team was paged at 9:30 for a hunter approximately 5 miles up Mill Creek trail reporting chest pain. The team hiked up with Gunnison Paramedics and was able to assist the hunter on foot down to the trailhead. The team made it back to town around 5:30 am on Saturday September 20th. 

We would like to extend our appreciation to Gunnison Paramedics for their work on this mission.

We know a long day for us means an equally long day for you! Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call us if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help! 

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations, and days like these require more support to keep our team going! Please consider donating to support our mission and keep the backcountry safe for all! Link to donate is in our bio.

Our first training this year is tonight, please meet at the Cache at 6:00pm (1800) ready to learn. We look forward to me...
09/08/2025

Our first training this year is tonight, please meet at the Cache at 6:00pm (1800) ready to learn. We look forward to meeting all of our new members and the coming year.

The Western Mountain Rescue Team was formed in 1968 and has been Mountain Rescue Association accredited since 1987. In h...
08/30/2025

The Western Mountain Rescue Team was formed in 1968 and has been Mountain Rescue Association accredited since 1987. In honor of our Reaccreditation year, WMRT is offering a Ticketed Giveaway to Western Alumni to join the team during our Homecoming tradition of lighting the W. There are 4 (four) spots available and every $5 donated gets you an entry into the giveaway, winners will accompany WMRT to the face of W Mountain to light the collegiate letter. If you get a spot you will receive an Email and a phone call from Western Mountain Rescue.

If you receive a spot, it will be appreciated if you find a fun costume, the whole team dresses up every year. Meet the team at the MountIan Rescue Cache at 4pm ready to go, and sign a Western Mountain Rescue Team Assumption of Risk/Waiver of liability form.

Please reach out to Riley LeHane with any questions or concerns. President@westernmountainrescue.org.
Ticketed Giveaway link can be found below.

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=e0e2f90b-1d0d-40c7-ba32-3309686ff5d3&envid=p-CjHGzaR0jUqqUQfbiHJ1ow&zone=usa

On Saturday August 16th, 2025, the team was called out to a UTV rollover up Timberline trail, the team assisted the repo...
08/25/2025

On Saturday August 16th, 2025, the team was called out to a UTV rollover up Timberline trail, the team assisted the reporting party in walking out safely. The team was deployed for a second mission and were stood down. We would like to thank Aspen Mountain Rescue, and Flight for Life for coordinating with us on the second mission.

Come check out the team, tour the cache, and get some information about the Western Mountain Rescue Team!
08/24/2025

Come check out the team, tour the cache, and get some information about the Western Mountain Rescue Team!

A huge thank you to the 2025 Taylor Park UTV Rally for their generous donation to the Western Mountain Rescue Team! Your...
08/21/2025

A huge thank you to the 2025 Taylor Park UTV Rally for their generous donation to the Western Mountain Rescue Team! Your support helps us stay prepared, equipped, and ready to serve our community in the backcountry.

On Friday 07/11, the team was called out for close to 10 hours on a mutual aid mission with Gunnison Valley Health Param...
07/17/2025

On Friday 07/11, the team was called out for close to 10 hours on a mutual aid mission with Gunnison Valley Health Paramedics responding to an injured Dirt biker on Timberline Trail, the team wheeled the patient half way out then hand carried the second half.

The team received a second call only hours later on Saturday 07/12, for an injured hiker/camper in the Gold Creek area that lasted roughly 8 hours.

We know a long day for us means an equally long day for you! Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado, so never hesitate to call us if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations, and days like these require more support to keep our team going! Please consider donating to support our mission and keep the backcountry safe for all! Link to donate is in our bio.

Join the rescue team for the first Trailhead day of the summer!July 2nd, 2025 from 5:30-7:00pm, there will be snacks and...
07/01/2025

Join the rescue team for the first Trailhead day of the summer!
July 2nd, 2025 from 5:30-7:00pm, there will be snacks and water.
Come get to know the team members!

Friday June 20th, the team was called out for a UTV rollover with one trapped occupant at the top of Napoleon Pass, our ...
06/23/2025

Friday June 20th, the team was called out for a UTV rollover with one trapped occupant at the top of Napoleon Pass, our members worked closely with Gunnison Paramedics and Gunnison Sheriffs office to extricate the patient and transport them to Gunnison Valley Health.
We would like to thank our partner agencies for their continued support on mutual aid missions.

We know a long day for us means an equally long day for those in need of help! Search and Rescue services are FREE in Colorado. Please DO NOT hesitate to call us if you find yourself in a predicament in the backcountry. We will always be there to help!

WMRT relies heavily on donations from our community to support our operations, and days like these require extra support to keep our team operational. Please consider donating to support our missions and keep the backcountry safe for all! Link to donate is in our bio.

Address

1 Western Way, MFH 175
Gunnison, CO
81230

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Our Story

The Western Mountain Rescue Team was first accredited by the Mountain Rescue Association in 1987 and has since remained the only collegiate-based team in the MRA. WMRT works with local and state law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire crews, the National Parks Service, National Guard, and other search and rescue organizations to provide exemplary mountain rescue services to the Gunnison Valley.