This just in - I'm the new chair of the Mountain Rescue Association's Intermountain Region. I've been secretary since last year, and our current chair has had some responsibilities come up and has had to resign. A great big thanks to Dan Smith of Salt Lake County SAR for bringing me up to speed on the MRA and sharing his vision of what more we can accomplish. Here's a quick plug for search and rescue everywhere - did you know that most teams around the country are made up of volunteers who buy their own gear, pay their own gas, and willingly leave family and work (okay, that's not always such a big sacrifice, at least if you're salaried!) whenever a stranger needs help in the backcountry? The volunteer teams do by FAR the most rescue work, and there's no way that sheriff departments (who are tasked with search and rescue in unincorporated areas) could get the job done without our contributions. If you think you might make a good rescuer (got some outdoors and/or medical and/or technical (like radio comm) skills, are good team player, and have the time and money to invest), then contact your local sheriff department and ask how to apply for the team. If your company donates to local charities, consider writing that check to your local SAR team - it's practically guaranteed that the gear your donation purchases will directly help save the lives of your neighbors, and many teams are non-profit 501(c)3, which makes your donation tax deductible. Finally, if you're an attractive, smart, outdoorsy single girl, consider getting in touch with a local SAR guy who's been searching for you!