Although the day began a clear and sunny 65 degrees, by the time the Search and Rescue Team neared the summit, a freezing fog had enveloped them on the icy Cathedral Trail of Mount Katahdin and the chill factor had dipped to 18 below.

In the darkness, the team struggled up ice-covered rocks. Just before the summit, the water in the necks of their canteens’ turned from slush to solid ice. It was there that they rescued a young, frost-covered sparrow that could not fly. They named the bird “Dirigo” and tucked him into the mitten of one of the climbers. He was carried all the way back to the base camp where he was released and flew away.

Because of training missions like that one, lost humans may be as fortunate as the sparrow.

Dirigo Search and Rescue, a nonprofit volunteer organization, working with the Maine Warden Service to provide wilderness rescues, conducted this night training expedition to the summit of Mount Katahdin Oct. 3 and 4. The Orono-based group is one of 13 in the state and includes high schoolers’ Explorer Post and an Adult Team. Both are coed.

For information about joining or making a donation to Dirigo Search and Rescue, write to Dirigo SAR, P.O Box 23, Orono, Maine 04473; telephone 866-4606 or 285-3469.