Our cover this issue gave us a wonderful excuse for a staff field trip to the mountains. On November 5th, our production team, along with photographer David Swann and photo stylist, Susan Thompson, headed up to Shaver Lake to meet up with members of Fresno County Sheriff’s Department’s Search and Rescue Team (SAR Team). We met at the bottom of the dam, just before the switchbacks, for a day of high angled rope rescue drills and even some high anxiety (and impromptu) stunt maneuvering by Swann.

After a quick bite of lunch, our crew began its trek up the hill through trees of beautifully changing leaves and hiking over what we later discovered to be bear tracks. Soon we made it to our destination: an enormous mountain on which the SAR team practices for some of its more perilous rescues.

In several seemingly effortless ascensions to the top of the mountain and back down, our team of rescuers provided us with ample dramatic images— including those taken by Swann, who made it to the top of the mountain without a harness or rope. Needless to say, those watching from below were, well, not watching.

Talent: On the cover (left to right): Deputies Joe Smith, Eric Schmidt, Matt Hamilton

Special Thanks: To the members of the SAR Team for volunteering their time and efforts to save the lives of many who have been lost and imperiled up in the mountains. We are extremely grateful to you for your dedication to protecting our valley.