Announcement: Wild Sky Guides and Olympic Mountain Rescue Team Up!
Wild Sky Guides Partners with Olympic Mountain Rescue and Washington's Emergency Management Division for SAR Canyon Trainings.
May 30th, 2025
Wild Sky Adventure Guides is proud to announce a new partnership with Olympic Mountain Rescue and the Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department. This June, a pilot program will launch: a 6-day “Introduction To PNW Canyoneering” course for members of Olympic Mountain Rescue’s Search and Rescue team.
Addressing Critical SAR Training Deficits:
This initiative is a first step in addressing the need for specialized SAR team training in vertical and aquatic canyon environments in the Pacific Northwest. As part of our mission to promote safer canyoning in Washington State and the PNW at large we are proud to take the first steps in addressing this critical deficiency in regional SAR training.
In Collaboration With Brent Roth From Kraken Whitewater.
This important course will be taught by Brent Roth, from Kraken Whitewater, who is also the training lead and lead instructor for Wild Sky Guides. Brent is an American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and an International Canyoning Academy certified canyoning guide. Brent’s high-level qualification ensures that SAR personnel receive instruction grounded in the principles of the most current and advanced training programs in the industry.
Building A Regional SAR Training Model.
The objective of the pilot program is to develop a replicable model for advanced Search and Rescue training. The aim is to expand this model across Western Washington, providing SAR teams with a practical understanding of swiftwater canyon terrain and canyoneering best practices. Wild Sky Guides believes this knowledge will improve SAR response in canyoning and ravine incidents. Equipping first responders with these skills is important for accident prevention and effective rescue operations.
Making Swifwater Canyon Rescue Training Accessible to SAR Teams Statewide.
Wild Sky Adventure Guides seeks to be a “gold standard” resource for swiftwater canyoning training and rescue. We envision that collaborations with state bodies like the Emergency Management Division can make professional training accessible and affordable for SAR team members and volunteers.
Are You Part of Washington's SAR Community?
Search and Rescue team leaders or members in Western Washington interested in future State-supported SAR canyoning training opportunities with Wild Sky Adventure Guides are encouraged to make contact. Wild Sky Guides is planning for 2027 and beyond and is open to discussions on how to build a more skilled and prepared rescue community.