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NORTHERN ARIZONA VENUES
(Prescott, Sedona, Prescott Valley, Central Yavapai, Chino Valley and Jerome)

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  • A red rock wonderland. This is Cathedral Rock outside of Sedona, Arizona. 

  • It is final day seven so it is Hawaiian Shirt Day at Prescott's Granite Dells during the 2014 AHDW (Artificial High Directional Workshop). This day we set up a combo A frame/SA frame AHD a the "High Rappel Dell" climbing area. Senior RTR Instructor, Reed Thorne, top left (with the long hair). Senior RTR instructor, Reed Thorne is top left and RTR Assistant RTR Instructor, Keith Thorne, fourth from right.

  • Wide shot of the beautiful Granite Dells near Prescott AZ.

    It is final day seven so it is Hawaiian Shirt Day at Prescott's Granite Dells during the 2014 AHDW (Artificial High Directional Workshop). This day we set up a combo A frame/SA frame AHD a the "High Rappel Dell" climbing area.

  • Luke Thorne (blue jacket/yellow helmet) oversees the far side of our highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during Offest Highline Rescue Workshop in 2014. RTR Instructor, Mike DeCraene on the left.

  • Our Jerome Fire venue is Station 1 in downtown historic Jerome, AZ. Chief Rusty Blair is always laying out the welcome mat for RTR programs! Upstairs is the meeting room with lots of comfortable recliners. Photo by Bill Brookins.

  • RTR Assistant instructor, Keith Thorne (left) and Lead Instructor Luke Thorne (right) look on during program in Jerome. AZ. 

  • A Sideways A-frame set up for our highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during Offest Highline Rescue Workshop in 2014. Note the uplift carriage at the rear leg of the Vortex. Magnificent Verde Valley and Sedona in the distance. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • Far side of our highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during OHRW (Offest Highline Rescue Workshop) in 2014. A fine gin pole and twin trackline Kootenay carriages with Rock UFO. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • The highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during OHRW (Offest Highline Rescue Workshop) in 2014. 

  • A sideways spreader bar using the Arizona Vortexc and AZORP head for our highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during Offest Highline Rescue Workshop in 2014. All held by AZTEK's. 

  • Del Miller from Mississippi as "control" on our highline at Deception Gulch near Jerome during Offest Highline Rescue Workshop in 2014. The AZORP rigging pod in the foreground is our focal point. RTR Instructor from Mississippi, Del Miller, is in background. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • The abandoned Jerome Hotel upper floors are a perfect place to practice with the Arzona Vortex Doortex during the 2014 Industrial Rescue Workshop. There is a four floor elevator shaft and a dumb waiter chute wich are perfect for this rigging. Jamb poles and many uses of the AZORP from ROCK EXOTICA are utilized here. Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire/

  • The abandoned Jerome Hotel upper floors are a perfect place to practice with the Arzona Vortex Doortex. There is a four floor elevator shaft and a dumb waiter chute wich are perfect for this rigging. Jamb poles and many uses of the AZORP from ROCK EXOTICA are utilized here. Here the added "Sedona Penetrator" is used with the AZORP during the 2014 Industrial Rescue Workshop.

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire took this shot of the Jerome street out in front of thre Jerome Hotel where we had just completed our Doortex evolution. Reed's 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser is in front with the red mining flag.

  • Jerome Police Chief, Allen Muma (The "Mumanator") and Reed Thorne
    Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire.

  • Interesting rigging at Granite Creek Gorge downstrem of the Watson Lake Dam during the 2014 Team Skills Rescue Workshop with the Arizona Vortex. The AZ Vortex was developed by Reed Thorne and Rock Thompson of ROCK EXOTICA in the mountains of Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona. The AZORP, seen here, is Reed's latest creation as an accessory to the AZV.

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • Interesting rigging during Prescott TSRW (Team Skills Rescue Workshop) with the Arizona Vortex at Prescott's Granite Dells. The AZ Vortex was developed by Reed Thorne and Rock Thompson of ROCK EXOTICA in the mountains of Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona. The AZORP, seen here, is Reed's latest creation as an accessory to the AZV.

  • Lance Mills of Prescott Fire is our boatman during the 2014 IRW (Industrial Rescue Workshop) on Watson Lake in the Granite Dells. The students are headed to Watson Lake Dam for our final day of this class. 

  • Japanese student and mountaineer, Yashihito Kuriyama, working on Arizona Vortex SA frame during custom 2014 RTR program at the Granite Dells Pavilion Wall climbing area. 

  • A tracking line operation above Granite Creek below Watson Dam at Prescott's Granite Dells during the 2014 Prescott, AZ Industrial Rescue Workshop. RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne operates opposite side from dam.

  • Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire

  • A tracking line operation above Granite Creek below Watson Dam at Prescott's Granite Dells during the 2014 Prescott, AZ Industrial Rescue Workshop. RTR Assistant Instructor, Keith Thorne operates opposite side from dam. Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire

  • A photo from Bill Brookins while he was riding in the litter on a long tracking line from the bottom of Watson Lake Dam

  • Japanese students working during custom 2014 advanced RTR program at the Watson Lake Dam. Here, we used three full Arizona Vortex kits (see three gin pole orange heads) to construct the very first "Watson Frame" (named after the dam) which is a luffing A frame/SA frame combination over the edge of the dam. See two students over the edge in/on litter. The third AZ Vortex kit was used at the far left beyond the hand railing to construct an elaborate A frame rigging pod where we mounted the multiple pulley systems used for the luffing and raising and lowering of the rescue package.

  • Final Hawaiian Shirt Day shot from Bill Brookins during the Prescott Valley 2014 Industrial Rescue Workshop)on Watson Lake Dam.

  • Students in the Granite Dells practicing personal on rope skills during 2014 PSRW (Personal Skills Rescue Workshop)

  • Students, overseen by RTR Instructor Luke Thorne (Yellow helmet), at the Granite Dells' "High Rappel Dell" climbing area practicing personal on rope skills during 2014 Personal Skills Rescue Workshop.

  • Japanese students during custom Prescott Artificial High Directional Workshop training at the Prescott Fire Training Center in 2014 where they used the Arizona Vortex and AZORP head to position the main line with pulley system. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • At the Granite Dells "Pavillion Wall" 2014 Artificial High Directional Workshop, students erected a Skyhook Capstan Winch stand with the use of an AZ Vortex. The winch is operated with a cordless 28volt drill. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • During the Prescott Valley 2014 IRW (Industrial Rescue Workshop) at the Central Yavapai Regional Training Center (CYRTA), students used an  Arizona Vortex gin pole upside down from the rafters to perform an operation off the edge of the fire training tower. The CYRTA is an awesome venue for the IRW each year. 

  • During the Prescott Valley 2014 IRW (Industrial Rescue Workshop) at the PVEC, students used the Arizona Vortex to perform a two rope offset high above the floor on structural steel. Here, I cantilevered A frame with extensive guying is the take off point for the litter. 

  • During the Prescott Valley 2014 Industrial Rescue Workshop at Prescott Valley Event Center, students used two full kits of the Arizona Vortex to make a double A frame. The exercise called for lowering the litter and attendant from the far A frame for a litter scoop, then raising both up, over the top under both frames, and then tunring the evacuation into a skate block to the floor below. 

    NOTE: Most of these AZ Vortex techniques are covered in the Instructor-level, 7 day long Artificial High Directional Workshop (AHDW) which RTR offers at different times of the year and in different US locations and foreign countries. See the latest Open Enrollment Schedule for the AHDW program which suits you.

  • Lowering the litter into the Prescott Fire rescue boat after a tracking line extrication from the downstream side of Watson Lake Dam. Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire

  • Photo by Bill Brookins of Central Yavapai Fire

  • Kerry Lee of Jerome Fire set up a beutiful multi-point anchoring system with one rope onto an SMC Vector monopod. The two back ties from the Vector forward were our main anchoring system which was deemed "bombproof" due to the redundancy involved. 

  • Jason Supple of Jerome Fire is the single bearer for this raise on steep angle. Here he is above the litter and trying to steer it past obstacles on the slope. 

  • Here we were trying to keep the litter bearer below the litter to see if steering was betteer accomplished. Use number 138 for the AZTEK kit. 

  • Negotiating the steep and rough terrain of the Granite Dells in Prescott. 

  • The Vector by SMC used here as a monopod for the main "bombproof" anchoring system at the edge. 

  • Rough ride for the victim (Russ Dodge of DPS). Much was learned in this program. 

  • The Vector by SMC used here as a monopod dirctional keeping the ropes off the embankment to prevent rock fall. 

  • Hawaiian Shirt Day for the first ever TWRW in Jerome 2021

  • Ropes That Rescue "Adopt-A-Highway" on Hwy 89A in OAK CREEK CANYON

    RTR has been 'sponsoring' (Adopt-A-Highway) a two mile section of Arizona scenic highway 89-A in Oak Creek Canyon since 1993. This beautiful scenic section is just above Midgley Bridge and includes a spectacular vista of the red rock Mitten Ridge and famous Teapot Rock (just behind the right sign post). 

     

  • This John William Waterhouse painting illustrates Alfred Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott. Draped over the boat is the fabric the lady wove in a tower near Camelot. But she brought a curse on herself by looking directly at Sir Lancelot. With her right hand she lets go of the chain mooring the boat. Her mouth is slightly open, as she sings 'her last song'. She stares at a crucifix lying in front of her. Beside it are three candles, often used to symbolize life. Two have blown out. This suggests her life will end soon, as she floats down the river.

    From Reed Thorne: The classic Brittish Pre-Raphaelite style John William Waterhouse painting of The Lady of Shalott from the Tenneyson Poem. The painting is my favorite classical piece found in the Tate Museum in London. I stood in awe of it when I visited the Tate in 1974.