Okay Bill Pattison, what years was this particular snow cat used. I would think it is probably in the 1950's and not the 1940's. I would think it is a "pleasure" run and not connected with search and rescue, as look at the smiling face on the "Rat" by the driver. Bill should be able to identify those in the photo. Can someone get close enough in to see what the flag is. I noticed right off Adams in the back ground.

Charlott on 21st October 2016 @ 7:05am

I had to google THIOKOL.

The December Sense of Place lecture will be about the Crag Rats.
I have said this here before, but it is worth repeating. As a kid, growing up at the west end of the gorge, I can remember my dad speaking of the Crag Rats with the greatest of respect for their rescue efforts.

L.E. on 21st October 2016 @ 7:38am

Would this machine be a Tucker or are there others. I had only heard the Tucker name as they were made in my hometown.

Kenn on 21st October 2016 @ 8:48am

Lots of skis are loaded on the back so it does look like a pleasure outing. The Rats still sometimes ski Ghost Ridge during the February Winter Outing when we have the cat up at Cloud Cap. Skiers descend from Cloud Cap on the fun but low angle run to Inspiration Point, and the Cat comes down the road (not Ghost Ridge itself) and picks up the Rats for a ride up for more laps. We have ropes for one or more to ski up towed behind the cat. There might be drinking involved . . .

Jay on 21st October 2016 @ 1:04pm

Thiokol introduced the Packmaster in 1969, so assuming this was one of the earliest models and the Rats picked it up used the photo would be from the mid 70's or later.

http://www.unusuallocomotion.com/pages/industrial/thiokol-and-lmc-tracked-vehicles.html

Longshot on 22nd October 2016 @ 3:30am

Thank Longshot, that's a very different date than I thought. Should be plenty of people around who can identify these Crag Rats.

Arthur on 22nd October 2016 @ 6:38pm

Yes, those Atomic skis in the back would be '70s at the earliest, and the guy looks like he has a '70s haircut and vest as well.

He could be only 60 or so now. Maybe Bill Pattison can ID them.

Jay on 23rd October 2016 @ 5:29pm

The guy standing on the tracks is Jim Bryan, Bill's younger son.

Beth on 24th October 2016 @ 3:48pm