We here at Sierra Rescue are dedicated to providing the best instruction in Technical Rope Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue,  and Wilderness Medicine. We love our jobs and thrive on the student interaction in our courses. Outside of the class environment we are all outdoor enthusiasts and passionate practitioners of outdoor recreation.  No doubt we work hard, but we play just as hard if not harder. Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes at Sierra Rescue to shed light on what it is we do on our “time-off.”

Founders and owners of Sierra Rescue,  Julie Munger and Abi Polsby have their hands full enjoying the outdoor playground in and around Truckee, CA. Recently transplanted to Tahoe from up near Taylorsville, CA they have embraced the mtn. culture of Truckee and the corresponding outdoor activity level. Whether trail running with the dogs, cycling, swimming or  stand up paddle boarding on Donner or Tahoe, they seems to fill their down time quite efficiently.

At the time of this post, Julie and Abi are about 75 miles into the Grand Canyon  guiding a group of riverboarders down the Colorado river.

Zach Byars, continues to guide float trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon river, where he is the sweep boat pilot running a 23 ft baggage boat and setting up camps along the 100 mile section of free flowing river. “If it floats, I’m into it.” Zach is a self-proclaimed extreme tuber and has taken his river rat down some of the West’s classic runs. Recently Zach has gotten back in to cycling and mountain biking.

When not instructing a swiftwater rescue class, you can find Don Lester downhill mountain biking in the foothill trails near his Colfax, CA home, stand-up paddling any floatable moving water, or rafting down the classic creek runs of CA.  Last winter he took a self-support SUP trip to the Caribbean. 4 days, two boards, one great time.

All of us at sierra rescue enjoy international travel, and both work and leisure have enabled some worldly travels for the Sierra Rescue team. Last year Julie and Abi taught a Wilderness First Responder course in Norway, Don has taught swiftwater rescue in Puerto Rico, and Zach is planning a patagonia adventure.

We strive to make our jobs challenging, engaging, and fun. That mentality definitely applies to our time outside the classroom environment. Train Hard Stay Safe… and most importantly have fun in the great outdoors!