Pioneer Project 2026

First International Course on High-Altitude Mountain Rescue Operations and S.A.R. Helicopter

Elite training with aerial support from the PNP and FAP. Organized by the Peruvian Andean Rescue Association (S.A.P.).

High-Level Training

Organized by the Socorro Andino Peruano Association (S.A.P.), this pioneering event will gather experts from Europe and South America in the Cordillera Blanca.

The goal is to standardize technical rescue protocols and aerial operations in hard-to-access areas, with real practice on Nevado Mateo and the Contrahierba Massif (up to 5,150 m.a.s.l.).

Social Commitment

As part of our responsibility to the environment, the course includes:

Course Objectives

Unified Protocols

You will learn to apply national criteria and protocols for safe and coordinated rescue operations.

Technical Competencies

Training in the safe use of mountain equipment and effective maneuvers for high-difficulty rescue scenarios.

Inter-Institutional Cooperation

Shared learning spaces among firefighters, guides, brigade members, and specialized rescue personnel.

Safety Culture

Strengthening risk management, self-protection, and mountain search and rescue capabilities.

Endorsement and Cooperation Management

To ensure the course’s effectiveness, it is essential to have official support. This endorsement allows us to obtain sponsorships for the international flights of our instructors.

S.A.P. will establish partnerships with airlines to cover the transportation of the technical staff, optimizing resources.

Technical Support: We seek ICAR validation for global standards and WFR instructors for the medical component.

General Requirements

Previous Experience

Basic mountaineering knowledge and minimum high-altitude experience.

Mandatory Insurance

Valid mountain accident insurance policy or civil liability agreement.

Personal Equipment

Technical and camping gear. Prior acclimatization required.

Health

Valid vaccination certificate and compliance with biosecurity protocols.

Course Structure – Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 April 1, 2026

Huaraz – Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Refresher

The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is an international certification in remote-area first aid, designed for guides, rescuers, and adventurers. It is the most comprehensive training in first aid for wilderness environments, preparing participants to respond to medical and trauma emergencies when access to hospitals is limited or delayed.

Day 2 April 2, 2026

Huaraz – Indoor Climbing Wall – Technical Review

Activities: setup of the training center, inspection of technical equipment, practice of knots, rope systems, and essential operational fundamentals for safe mountain interventions.

Day3 April 3, 2026

Indoor Climbing Wall – Anchors, Pulleys, and Self-Rescue

Practical training on anchor systems, mechanical pulley systems, and self-rescue techniques, with an emphasis on efficiency, risk management, and team coordination. Exercises on indoor walls and natural rock, simulating real mountain conditions.

Day 4 April 4, 2026

Nevado Mateo (4,900 m) – Training

Practice: glacier progression, ice-anchor installation, and crevasse rescue. Full training with the Kong stretcher, from extraction on the glacier to the evacuation point, including helicopter boarding exercises for injured-person transport.

Day 5 April 5, 2026

Summit – Full Rescue Simulation

Comprehensive rescue simulation: stretcher evacuation from the summit, descent through glacier and rock sections, arrival at the evacuation base, and helicopter extraction in the Punta Olímpica area—one of the strategic points of the mountain range.

Official closing at 8:00 pm in Huaraz: certificate ceremony, presence of local authorities, and joint evaluation of the learning outcomes.

International Instructor Team

Vitto Galo Zenteno

Bolivian Air Force

Instructor and rescuer with experience in international SAR rescue operations. SAR Group FAB SC, Bolivia.

Pietro Rago

Italy

Certified rescuer and instructor with training in alpine technical rescue and teaching experience.

Markus Amon

Austria

Veteran mountain guide, specialized instructor, and helicopter pilot. Member of the European Guides Association.

Long-Term Project

Helicopter Rescue Commission

This course lays the foundation for a national objective: the creation of a Specialized Aerial Rescue Unit.

S.A.P. proposes a public–private partnership to manage an aircraft capable of flying above 6,600 meters above sea level, drastically reducing response times in critical emergencies.

In strategic cooperation with:

FAP

PNP

SERNANP

MINDEF

Registration Costs

Socorro Andino Peruano Association

USD 0

100% FREE COURSE

What does the participant need to cover?

Although academic instruction is free, there are unavoidable operational costs required to carry out a course of this magnitude in high-mountain terrain. The participant (or donations) covers only:

You can make a voluntary donation. 100% of the funds collected go directly toward covering the logistical costs listed on the left, ensuring the course remains accessible to everyone.