The Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) field practical will be held near Laurel Pines Camp. It will be held despite a concurrent SAR mission. Laurel Pines Camp is located at UTM 0526066 E, 3781249N NAD27. This is on State Highway 38 which goes from Redlands through Mentone the back way to Big Bear. The camp is 37 miles from the corner of Lugonia and Orange in Redlands. For internet information see <http://www.laurelpinescamp.com>. Depending on the snow condition, one may park at the long turn-out at the 8000 foot mark, on a road just a few feet west of the turn-out or at Laurel Pines Camp. We may or may not be able to park inside the Laurel Pines gate. That is yet to be determined. In any case, park in such a manner such that the road through the camp is not blocked. Proceed on foot with your entire winter SAR pack to the actual site for the BMC. To get to this site from Laurel Pines Camp, walk west down highway 38 to the turnout at the 8000 feet elevation sign. Look southward to a large flat snow play area which is at UTM 0525718E, 3780852 N NAD27. Walk further westward to find a road that leads to the BMC site. The total distance from parking area to BMC site is approximately 0.5 miles.
New students: The practical begins promptly at 7 am on Saturday on the dates listed in the BMC Tracker website. It will end on Sunday afternoon. The exact ending time depends on number of students, instructors, remediation, etc. Consider car camping at the BMC site Friday night to acclimatize. This is both a learning and testing experience.
Recertifying students: The practical begins promptly at 7 am on Sunday on the date listed in the BMC Tracker website. No recertification will be done on Saturday. It will end in the afternoon; the exact ending time depends on number of students, instructors, remediation, etc. Consider car camping at the BMC site Saturday night to acclimatize. This is only a testing experience. Instructors will not teach SAR members who are present to recertify. See a description of the field test on the Tracker website.
Radio monitored at BMC site: 155.385 which is San Bernardino county SAR TAC I, i.e., channel 11.
There is onsistent cell phone coverage at the site. Cell phones may work west of the BMC site at Barton Flats or northeast of the site.
For more information, contact Sonny Lawrence, Cave and Technical Rescue Team at
Email: slawrence@sbsar.org
Mobile phone: 909-255-6036