About Us
Alaska Mountain Rescue Group (AMRG) is a nonprofit volunteer search and rescue organization based in Anchorage, Alaska, dedicated to providing search and rescue services in Alaska. Founded in 1960, our organization consists of dedicated volunteers with extensive backcountry experience who train regularly to bring people who are lost, injured, stranded, or deceased back to their families.
AMRG is a fully-accredited mountain rescue unit within the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) and our members train to standards set by both the MRA and the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). Our focus is on assisting injured and lost persons in the Alaska backcountry, particularly in areas where specialized high-angle and mountaineering skills are required.
AMRG conducts emergency SAR missions only under the direct control of the Alaska State Troopers, from searches for lost hunters, hikers, or children to high-angle rope rescue, avalanche response, and downed aircraft.
Q. Are there any other SAR groups accredited by the MRA in Alaska?
Yes. There are four SAR organizations accredited by the MRA in AK: Denali National Park SAR, Juneau Mountain Rescue, Sitka Mountain Search and Rescue, and AMRG.
Q. How big is the group?
We have about 40 operational members and a dozen prospective members. About 30% of our operational members are certified to operate technical rescue. We also have a handful of auxiliary members. Auxiliary members are critical part of the AMRG, which specializes IT or sUAS program development. We are currently looking for people who are interested in helping our fundraising / grant-writing. If that is you, or if you know someone, please contact us!
Q. Is there any paid member in the AMRG?
No. We are 100% volunteers including all the board members.
Q. Does the AMRG provide personal gear to the members?
Only radios and orange uniform jackets are loaned to operational members. For everything else, we use our own gear and clothes.
Q. How does the AMRG communicate where there’s no cell phone reception?
We have stand-along radio communications. Depending on the terrains, we setup repeater(s) for smooth communications. We also have four inReaches as group gear, though many of us also have our personal inReaches.
Q. How long could the AMRG operate in backcountry without resupply?
72 hours
Q. How often does the AMRG get called out?
Varies. We could respond to two missions in a day, or it could be quiet for two months.
For more information about the AMRG, please visit our website or our facebook page.
