GCSAR will typically have 30-40 missions each year that can occur at any time throughout the year. The types of missions that GCSAR can be involved with can vary depending on the season and year to year but may involve:
- Search for lost individuals (hunters, hikers, ATV or snowmobilers)
- Medical assistance and carryout of injured parties
- Swift water rescue or searching for missing boaters
- Canine search for individuals or remains
- Technical high angle rope rescue or recovery
- Recovery of deceased individuals
- Assistance for stranded backcountry motorists
- Search for endangered individuals
The location of GCSAR missions are spread across a large portion of eastern Garfield County that includes:
- The large Flattop mountain area and wilderness to the north
- The Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers
- The Roan Plateau, Mamm Creek and Divide Creek near Rifle
- Glenwood Canyon
While there are some similar missions every year, the type of missions and location often are different from year to year making it challenging for the team to be ready for anything!