EARLY DAYS
Carole Sanders training with the new Cascade Toboggan
Blue Knob Ski Patrol (BKSP) has always been a family oriented patrol. Our skills have been honed by having some of the most difficult ski terrain within a three hour drive of Baltimore, Washington, and Pittsburgh.
We switched over from Sure-Stops and Akias about the time Carole joined. No Snowmobile and Many Lift Evacs
Blue Knob would average 7 lift evacs a year in the '70s. We had no snow-mobiles and would bring all but backboard cases up on the lift. Imperative that we knew how to get an injured skier off a stalled lift.
We've always had too many skis
Ozzie Wilkinson 3rd from right; Earl Hill far right; Joe Gebhart behind Ozzie; Jay Sanders 2nd from left (maybe)
Three Patrol Rooms in Four Years
We built our Patrol Rooms as the area upgraded the facilities. Anna Grisso, an architect in real life, would design each new room and we'd all bring hammers and nails.
Tail Rope Skills
Early tail rope training!
Developed snowplow skills, tail rope handling skills, and was part of our recruiting program… We don't do this any more! We Made Our Backboards Back Then
Tom and his daughter put the finishing touches on two new backboards.
Are the skis long enough?
Jay Sanders can never find ski's long enough. Back then 215cm were shorties for Jay.
Jay met Carole waiting in the lift line (yes, we really did have lift lines). Two patrollers! What a catch! Jay was Patrol Leader from 1978-1980. Bryan Timura and Tom Hillegas
Tom was Patrol Leader 1996-8 and Bryan from 2006-8
Recognize These Guys?
Larry Athen & Tom Hillegas share a quiet moment. We lost Larry in 2006 and Tom in 2008.
Larry was Patrol Leader from 2000-2. |
Pre-Cascade Toboggan Era
Several toboggan styles were used before the Cascades were available.
Notice Red Jackets & Black Pants...
The photo is of patrollers in rust jackets, long before red jackets were used.
Comparing 1st Aid Packs
Circle M (now Mountain Travel) course.
Arkie Tromm & Wife Peggy
One of the early "pros". Came up through the volunteers after being recruited by Ozzie Wilkenson. We're still trying to get him back!
Carole & Anna Working on New Patrol Room #2
Skiing was not the only required skill for patrollers in the '70 and '80s.
Lew Dimler will straighten out that copter!. Lew passed away in 2007
Tyler Davis
Tyler was part of the Eastern Division hierarchy. He helped Blue Knob get its patrol off the ground in the 60's. He patrolled into his 80's and is sorely missed.
Ozzie Wilkinson with Roe Calabrese and Beth Rawcliffe
Ozzie was Patrol Leader in the '70s. Roe Calabrese was also a Patroller. Beth supported Tom Rawcliffe's patrolling.
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