The following accounts of field operations are the best efforts of the newsletter editor or other source person, are not official reports, and may have errors and omissions, for which apologies and regrets are expressed in advance.
This page will generally contain only operations that have occurred within approximately the past twelve months. All operations can be found in the yearly highlight pages.
January 28-29, 2012. 12-050, #1. Colin Skinner, 46, from Walmer, England has been on a walk from North Dakota to San Francisco in support of the National Hospice Foundation. Last week he walked through Bishop and visited the local hospice there. While snowshoeing across the Sierra through Yosemite National Park he had problems with wet clothing and frostbitten feet, and contacted Yosemite rangers at their winter cabin near Tuolumne Meadows. The SAR Team was dispatched at 6 PM Saturday and began planning the rescue. Two members went up 120 W with snowmobiles to scout the conditions. On Sunday morning, the Team snowmobiled to the Park entrance station, where the subject had been moved by Yosemite rangers, and transported him down the road to the waiting Mono County paramedics, who completed the transport to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist (ops), Schmidt (ops), Greene, Dodson, Boyd, Scotese, Vulgamore, Ropke, and Hartstrom.
December 29, 2011. 11-682 #30. A group of five parasailers from Truckee climbed one of the Mono Craters for a launch point. The first one airborne was in the process of making turns above the west aspect of the craters when he lost altitude as the result of a turn and collided with the mountainside about 500 feet above the valley floor. The group went to his aid, finding him initially in and out of consciousness, and also complaining of back and leg pain. The group then called 911 requesting assistance. Mono County Paramedics, the SAR Team, Lee Vining Fire, and a Care Flight helicopter responded to the area. The Paramedics and 10 search and rescue members climbed up the mountainside to the victim. Following a medical evaluation/stabilization, he was transported down the side of the crater via technical low angle lowering to the helicopter. He was then flown to Renown Medical Center for further treatment. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Robertson, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Vetter, Walker, Corning, Thompson, Beck, Greene, and DeGeorge (IC).
December 21, 2011. Incident 11/22/007 #29. The Team was alerted for the possibility of an aircraft down. Members responded with ELT receivers. No ELT signals were heard, and further response was cancelled. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Beck, and Hartstrom.
November 29, 2011. 11-642 #28. Residents in the Old Mammoth area reported a possible helicopter crash in the Mammoth Pass/Mammoth Mountain area. Units from MLPD responded checking the area saw what they thought was smoke in the direction the helicopter was last thought to have flown. Madera County was notified, and the FAA was contacted to start an investigation. Intially two SAR members responded to the area with an aircraft beacon (ELT) direction finder. Several readings were taken but no signal was heard. Contact was made with Mammoth Mountain, and personnel from the resort went to the top of Mammoth Mountain on snowmobiles but could confirm no evidence of a crash in the descending darkness from that vantage point. Contact was made with Hot Creek Aviation who confirmed a Eurocopter was refueled at Mammoth Airport prior to the incident. The helicopter had two people on board and was enroute to Livermore. A message was left on the pilot's cell phone to call the Sheriff's Department to determine if there had been a crash. At 1818, dispatch advised that the Livermore airport had been in radio contact with the helicopter and there had been no crash. During and after the call, an impromptu training event was held for the responders in operation of the ELT direction finders. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Dodson, French, Corning, Vetter, Weatherly, Maroti, Robertson, Bold, and Cogan.
September 21, 2011. 11-513 #27. A 66 year old backpacker, from Stockton, California, was reported as having difficulty speaking and standing in the Danahue Pass area, and the SAR team was activated. Due to the distance to the patient, CHP Helicopter H40 was requested from Fresno. A SAR ground team with medical equipment was also started towards the Silver Lake trailhead in June Lake for backup. The patient was successfully evacuated by H40 to Mammoth, where she was transported to Mammoth Hospital by Mono County Paramedics. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), French, Schmidt, Genevieve, Robertson, and Greene.
September 9-10, 2011. 11-490 #26. A call was received on the evening of September 9, indicating that a hiker in the Iceberg Lake area had a leg that was "broken from the knee down," and was also possibly going into shock. The SAR team was activated. A medical team and a support team with a wheeled litter and additional oxygen hiked through the night to the patient's location, while a helicopter was arranged for the morning. The first team reached the patient at 12:22 on the morning of the 10th. The patient, a 74-year old backpacker from the Bronx, had fallen an unknown distance and had a number of lacerations and contusions, but was resting comfortably. The team provided care to the patient and bivied for the night. California Highway Patrol Helicopter H40 arrived at 6:50 and transported the patient to Minaret Vista for final transport to Mammoth Hospital by Medic 3. The SAR team hiked out, arriving at Agnew Meadows at 11:00. At last check, the hospital had not found any fractures, but did remove a 3/4" diameter rock from a deep laceration in the patient's leg. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, French, Case, Beck, Gilbreath, Hall, Corning, and Hartstrom.
Click Here for Pictures provided by David Gray
September 7, 2011. 11-479 #25. A Riverside couple, ages 66 and 71, became tired while canoing on Mono Lake. The 71 year-old wife opted to walk back to the parking area at Navy Beach, which was only about 1/2 mile to the west. After four hours, she had not appeared at the couples' vehicle, and assistance was requested. The Mono County Sheriff's Office sent a sergeant and deputy to the area, and tracking was attempted near where the canoes had landed. Lee Vining and June Lake Fire Departments responded and began grid searching areas to the east and west of Navy Beach. Search and Rescue sent a team three miles to the east by vehicle, with instructions to park and hike the shoreline to the west, toward Navy Beach. The deputy and a SAR member began to search dirt roads by ATV. While other tracking, hasty, and grid assignments were being made, the first SAR team reported having found the woman while enroute to their assignment. She had become disoriented and was thirsty but otherwise was in good condition. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Salay, Greene, Scotese, Hartstrom, Beck, Hall, French, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, and Ropke.
August 12-13, 2011. 11-415 #24. The Team responded to Valentine Lake to check on a 12 year old boy with possible AMS. He was fine. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, and Boyd.
August 12, 2011. 11-413 #23. A group of three backpackers from the Nevada City area-- a father, son, and the son's friend-- were backpacking near Island Pass, north of Thousand Island Lake, when the son's friend, age 12, slipped on the snow and slid into rocks. The injury was assessed on scene as a possible femur or pelvic fracture, and the SAR team was activated. Due to the distance required for evacuation by wheeled liter and the lateness of the hour, CHP was contacted, and helicopler H40 was dispatched. The SAR team staged at the Minaret Vista helipad as a precaution in case additional personnel were needed for transporting the patient to a backcountry landing zone. The helicopter was able to fly directly to the supplied coordinates, land, and subsequently fly the patient to Fresno for treatment. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), DeGeorge, Greene, Hartstrom, Patrick, Robertson, Schmidt.
August 8-9, 2011. 11-406 #22. A family of four, from Glendale, California called for assistance from Garnet Lake on the night of August 8. The group had planned a loop hike out of Agnew Meadows to Garnet Lake. The 19 year-old son, however, had become exhausted, and the group did not think that attempting to cross either the snowfield below Garnet Lake or the San Joaquin River, both obstacles along their intended route, would be wise. The family was not equipped to spend the night and called for assistance, but the group was immediately able to acquire shelter and food from backpackers at their location at Garnet Lake. The father and 16 year-old son hiked back to their campsite at Olaine Lake, leaving the mother and other son in a borrowed tent at Garnet Lake. The SAR team maintained cell phone contact with all family members and a nearby backpacking group through the night. A SAR team was dispatched at dawn, carrying oxygen and other medical supplies, and the mother and 19 year old son began hiking out towards Shadow Lake at 8:30, along with two backpackers who agreed to escort the pair until the SAR team was encountered. The SAR team reached the two family members not far south of Garnet Lake and provided the 19 year-old with oxygen and other support. The group then hiked out to the Agnew Meadows Trailhead, where further assistance was declined. The SAR team has responded to a number of calls in the vicinity of the Garnet Lake outlet stream this summer, and the Team advises against attempting the trail from Garnet Lake to the San Joaquin and also advises against attempting a stream crossing at the confluence of the Garnet outlet stream and the San Joaquin River. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, Dodson, Corning, Schmidt, Greene, Gilbreath, and French.
August 7, 2011. 11-395 #21. A backpacker began a hike on the John Muir Trail with two friends on Wednesday, August 3, 2011. She began having nausea from the start of the trip, and was only able to hold down water and food on a very limited basis. Four days into the trip while camped at Thousand Island Lake she and her friends decided she should leave the trip and return to the trailhead where they had started via a trail that would only take her one day to do. Her friends continued with their backpacking trip to Yosemite. Due to her weakened condition from her nausea she was only able to hike very slowly. A horse packer from Agnew Meadows Pack Outfit came upon her on the High Trail about 5 miles north of Agnew Meadows and called 911 for assistance. The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team responded, requesting the help of a California Highway Patrol helicopter for extraction. The helicopter was able to land near the backpacker and transported her to the search and rescue base set up at the Minaret Vista helispot. Mono County Paramedics were standing by, but the backpacker refused medical treatment or transport to Mammoth Hospital. Responders: Greene (Ops).
August 7, 2011. 11-394 #20. A father was hiking out of the back country with his two teenage children when they became stranded at the trail crossing of Convict Creek due to deep and swift water. The bridge at this site between steep canyon walls was washed out some years ago, and hikers have been required to ford the creek. A hiker on the downstream side of the creek was asked to get help, and he walked out and called the Sheriff's Department. The SAR Team was dispatched to the area, and 5 team members with swiftwater rescue gear staged at the Convict Lake Marina. The group was ferried across Convict Lake by boat and hiked toward the stranded party. Prior to arriving at the location, the family was found on the trail, continuing their walk out, having been assisted across by other people in the area. There were no injuries and the group declined any medical treatment. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Corning, Case, Carol Schilz, Brad Schilz, and Boyd.
August 2-3, 2011. 11-383 #19. A group of six day hikers, from El Segundo and Cypress, California placed a call on the evening of August 2 from the Garnet Lake area indicating that the group was disoriented. The SAR team was activated. The hikers had warm clothing, matches, and extra food and water and were prepared to spend the night safely. It was determined that the party was near the confluence of the Garnet Lake outlet stream and the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, and high streamflow prevented a crossing. The party was advised to hike out by way of Shadow Lake in the morning. A SAR hasty team was sent to attempt to locate the party enroute and provide additional food and support. Search and Rescue was able to make phone contact with the party at 12:30 PM on August 3, after the group had hiked out. The hikers had successfully found the Agnew Meadows trailhead but were unable to explain their route. The SAR hasty team, which was now close to Garnet Lake, returned to the trailhead. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Gilbreath, Dodson, and Vetter.
August 2, 2011. 11-380 #18. A 45 year-old leader of a Boy Scout group from Flagstaff, Arizona became ill several nights into a backpacking trip into the Thousand Island area. He attempted to hike out with assistance from his group, but eventually needed aid. The SAR team and Mono County paramedics were dispatched, and the patient was transported 2.4 miles along the High Trail (PCT) by wheeled litter to the Agnew Meadows trailhead, arriving after 10 pm. The patient was then taken to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Gilbreath, DeGeorge, Greene, Dodson, Boyd, Ropke, Walker, and Cogan.
July 18, 2011. 11-348 #17. - The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was called out Monday, July 18, 2011, to aid two John Muir Trail hikers who called for assistance on the River Trail below Garnet Lake. One of the pair was suffering from symptoms of a medical nature, and was unable to continue the trip. The Mono County SAR team and helicopter 551 from Yosemite National Park were dispatched. One SAR team hiked in with equipment for a swiftwater crossing, a wheeled litter for extrication, while another SAR team with the same equipment was on standby for helicopter insertion at the Minaret Vista base. Meanwhile, the Yosemite team on 551 was able to effect a short haul rescue of the couple and flew them to Mammoth Airport where they were met by Mono County Paramedics and the SAR team. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Vetter, Robertson, Schmidt, Greene, Corning, Maroti, Hartstrom, Dodson, Gilbreath, and Genevieve.
July 18, 2022. 11-347 #16. Two men from Reno, Nevada, planned to summit Mt. Conness and return on July 17, but were reported overdue when they failed to return. The SAR team responded, and was enroute when the subjects were encountered in good condition by a Sheriff Deputy as they were walking down the snow-closed Saddlebag Lake road. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), and Beck.
July 15, 2011. 11-338 #15. A hiker from Los Angeles was on the June Lake Loop and wanted to go touch the snow in the Devil's Slide couloir. While hiking, he stepped on what he thought was a beehive, ran, and then became disoriented. He was visible from the road and had cell reception. He was given instructions on how to reach the Yost Creek Trail, just to the east, and as an alternative, instructions on walking back downhill to the road. He had difficulty in following these instructions, and the SAR team was dispatched to locate and bring him to the road. The first field team located him quickly, and he was brought back to the June Lake loop within an hour of the SAR team launching. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, Greene, Schmidt, Beck, Patrick, Boyd, French, B Schilz, C Schilz, Dodson, Robertson, Case, Corning, and Hartstrom.
July 3-4, 2011. 11-308 #14. Olesya Oleynik, 25, and Sergey Belostotskiy, 28, both of Sunnyvale, CA, took a day hike with their dogs with the intention of circumnavigating Shadow Lake. They found this to be impossible due to the high discharge in the outlet stream, and climbed uphill into the Gladys Lake area. They hiked cross country along the outlet stream with the intention of reaching the San Joaquin river, but encountered steep snowy terrain, were unable to continue due to cliffs and snow, and their jeans became soaked to the waist. They called for assistance via cell phone and the SAR team was dispatched at 8:30 P.M. Three field teams with technical equipment hiked in from Agnew Meadows. The subjects were located at 4 A.M. The Teams bivouacked until daylight, then climbed back up to Gladys Lake with Oleynik and Belostotskiy. The entire group hiked to the south towards Devils Postpile during which time Oleynik sprained her ankle twice. The party encountered a difficult stream crossing at Minaret Creek above Minaret Falls, where the bridge had washed out. Relief teams with swiftwater equipment, inflatable raft, and a wheeled litter for Oleynik were dispatched to assist. The stream was crossed with the raft, and Oleynik was able to walk out the remaining 1.5 miles on her own without the litter. A total of nine teams were in the field. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Greene, French, Schmidt, Dodson, Robertson, Maroti, Hartstrom, Carole Schilz, Thompson, Brad Schilz, Corning, Vetter, Case, Beck, Gilbreath, and DeGeorge.
June 19, 2011. 11-281 #13. Sadith Price reported that three mentally disabled adults, of whom she was the caregiver, had wandered away from their June Lake Campground site. As the team was responding, one individual was located near Northshore Dr. About 15 minutes later, the other two individuals were located near the Double Eagle. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, B Schilz, C Schilz, French, Maroti, Robertson, Schmidt, Case, Corning, Vetter, Hall, and Boyd.
June 19, 2011. 11-280 #12. Regina Geyser reported that her son, Shawn, 12, became separated from his father and two brothers while hiking at Obsidian Dome. As the team was being activated, we received word that Shawn's two older brothers, Joey, 13, and Alex, 14, had also become separated from their father while the three were looking for Shawn. While the team was en route, the two older brothers were located, and finally Shawn as well, just before the team arrived on scene. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, B Schilz, C Schilz, French, Maroti. Robertson, Schmidt, Case, Corning, Vetter, Hall, and Boyd.
June 20, 2011. 11-??? #11. Mutual aid to Yosemite National Park, missing hiker. The missing man was was slow getting up the trail, and his party finally went on ahead near the top. When he didn't show up, they turned around expecting to encounter him on the way back down, but failed to see him. YOSAR, along with many supporting SAR teams, searched for several days without finding any clues. Responders were: Greene, Beck, and Dodson.
June 11, 2011. 11-267 #10. The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team was called out on Saturday, June 11,2011, to help a snowboarder with a broken leg. Payam Pakbin, 28, of Los Angeles California, was walking up a steep, icy slope with a friend near Tioga Pass when he lost his footing and slide down into a rock field, suffering a broken femur. Other backcountry skiers in the area heard his yelling and responded to help. One of the responders skied down to his vehicle and drove down Highway 120 until he was able to contact authorities on his cell phone. Luckily for Pakbin, among those helping was local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Karch. Dr. Karch skied out to Highway 120 and met up with responding SAR team personnel. He and a rescue team member then returned to the accident scene with medical equipment to stabilize Pakbin. The SAR team requested the aid of Yosemite National Park rescue helicopter for transport purposes due to Pakbin's severe injuries. The Park Service helicopter flew in two rescuers to the accident scene, and it was able to transport Pakbin to a waiting ambulance on highway 120. He was taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Dodson, Davenport, DeGeorge, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, French, Genevieve, Rousek, and Hall.
Click Here for Pictures provided by Payam Pakbin
May 31, 2011. 11-XXX #9. Accidental SPOT activation by a visitor while at his campsite near Twin Lakes Bridgeport. Responder: Greene (Ops).
May 14, 2011. 11-228 #8. James McHugh, 38, of Lake Tahoe, CA, was skiing with friends near the Third Pillar of Mt. Dana, a popular backcountry spring ski descent three miles northeast of Tioga Pass. He slid down approximately 150 feet, striking his head on a rock during the slide. His friends reached him quickly and began administering first aid. He suffered numerous cuts and abrasions, and also had a possible skull fracture. The group activated a Spot Satellite GPS Messenger, and also had one of their group ski down to their vehicles to obtain cell service to contact the Mono County Sheriff's Department. The SAR team mobilized and sent rescue teams to McHugh's location, while at the same time McHugh's friends began sliding him down the 1,500 foot slope. Due to his possible skull fracture and remote location, a Navy Seahawk helicopter from Fallon Naval Air Station was requested and responded to the scene. McHugh was ultimately lowered down the slope where Mono County Paramedics and SAR team members reached him. He was transported to the ambulance via litter and then taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment and evaluation. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Robertson, Holmquist, Maroti, Genevieve, Rousek, Thompson, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, French, Dodson, Corning and DeGeorge.
May 1, 2011. 11-203 #7. Ann Bellamy, 46, of Mammoth Lakes, and her eleven year old son became stuck in a snow drift while trying to drive to Lookout Mtn. They contacted AAA and friends to get them unstuck, but none were able to locate them. At 0400 5/1/11 they called 911. Mammoth PD was dispatched to try and find them, and they were located shortly thereafter. SAR responded and reached them shortly after PD units located their vehicle. SAR transported the mother and son with three dogs back to their residence in Mammoth Lakes. Responder: Greene (Ops).
April 30, 2011. 11-201 #6. John Beckerman, 24, from Craig, Colorado, was being lowered off a climbing route in the Central Owens Gorge. The Grigri belay device became hot, and the belayer was not able to retard the last 30 feet of the lowering. The victim landed on his left side, partially striking another person standing at the base of the climbing route. An ER physician from Reno happened to be nearby, and conducted a patient assessment. The patient was placed in a Stokes litter, and carried to the power plant. LADWP personnel opened the access gate and SAR Team members were able to drive to the location. Team members completed patient packaging for transport to Northern Inyo Hospital by Inyo Paramedics. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Greene, Case, Vetter, Corning, Barnum, French, Dodson, Scotese, and Hartstrom.
April 24, 2011. 11-189 #5. Tifany Pridanonda, 21, from Walnut, California, was snowboarding on June Mountain with a group of friends when she became separated when she went out of bounds from the top of chair 6. She went downhill to the East, but could not climb back up. She sent cell phone text messages to her friends, and attempted to navigate to highway 395. She went as far as the Hartley Springs campground, called 911, and was advised to stay where she was until the SAR Team arrived. She built a small warming fire on the snow while waiting. SAR field teams on snowmobiles located and transported her to join her friends waiting at the highway. The fire she had started in the snow was extinguished prior to the teams exiting the area. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Michalski, Dodson, Robertson, Holmquist, Schmidt, Weatherly, Walker, Cogan, Maroti, French, and Scotese.
February 23, 2011. 11-085 #4. Michael Gaffney, 47, of Bishop, began a snowshoeing trip from the Mammoth Lakes Basin to Reds Meadows to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge on Tuesday, 22 February. He intended this trip to be relatively non-stop without a planned camp. Mr. Gaffney called his wife at 4 am on Wednesday the 23rd to provide an update, and noted that he was fatigued from travel through the soft, deep snow encountered during the descent from Mammoth Pass. She became concerned and contacted the Sheriff's Office, who in turn dispatched the SAR team. A SAR snowmobile team launched from Main Lodge to investigate and encountered Mr. Gaffney on the road north of Pumice Flat. He was in good condition, and after providing some additional water, the SAR team left Mr. Gaffney to continue his trip. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), and Beck.
February 11-12, 2011. 11-066 #3. Betsy Rieke, 67, of Carson City, Nevada, became lost and stranded above a cliff while on a solo hike in the Mono Craters. She made cell phone contact with the persons with whom she had discussed the hike, who in turn reported the situation to the Sheriff's Office and began to hike to Rieke's location. The Sheriff's Office dispatched personnel to the area who determined that Search and Rescue should be called. As SAR arrived, Rieke was located by her acquaintances, who helped her up a scree slope to the trail on top of the crater and reported by cell phone that Rieke was cold but uninjured. A SAR team with additional supplies hiked in and met Rieke's group as they were hiking down the road from the crater. SAR used a Sheriff's Office ATV to shorten the final portion of the hike for the group. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Beck, Greene, Dodson, Bold, French, Walker, and Michalski.
January 18, 2011. 11-023 #2. David Joseph, 27, of Crystal Heights, California, was snowboarding by himself and unknowingly crossed the western edge of the ski area boundary and became lost. He was able to contact his father by cell phone. His father then notified Ski Patrol of his son's predicament. Ski Patrol began searching for him, but were unable to find him as Mr. Joseph reported that he thought he was somewhere inside the ski area boundary. The SAR Team was able to pinpoint his location by having him call 911. The California Highway Patrol dispatch center in Bishop, California received the cell phone call and was able to obtain a GPS location reading from his cell phone. Ski patrollers were then directed to his location just outside the ski area boundary and assisted Mr. Joseph on showshoes back to the ski area. The patrollers and Mr. Joseph were then transported back to the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge by snowcat where he was reunited with his father. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Dodson, Scotese, O'Brien, Cogan, Maroti, Ackerman, Salay, Gilbreath, Holmquist, Weatherly, and Boyd.
January 4, 2011. 11-005 #1. Spencer Larson, 27, of Los Angeles, did not meet his friends as planned at the end of a day snowboarding on Mammoth Mountain. The SAR team was dispatched, and ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile teams prepared for search assignments. MMSA ski patrol provided support. Just before teams departed, Larson called to report that he was back in Mammoth. He had ridden the Hemlocks but failed to traverse back in bounds. He found himself on the Reds Meadow Road and saw one of the Mono SAR/MMSA signs that direct lost persons to the nearest pay phone. While he was en route to the phone along the road, he encountered snowmobilers, who gave him a ride to town. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), DeGeorge, Schmidt, Greene, Michalski, Walker, Cogan, Robertson, Maroti, Dodson, Ackerman, Thompson, Schilling, Weatherly, Beck.
December 23, 2010. 10-708 #45. Brian Eaton, age 29, from Laguna Beach, California, became separated from friends while snowboarding in the Fresno Bowl area of Mammoth Mountain. The friends lost cell phone contact with him at approximately 3:30 PM. Sheriff Dispatch was notified at dark. The SAR Team begain a search on the West side of Mammoth Mountain based on the point last seen and location data received from his cell phone provider. The Team located Mr. Eaton in the lower Fresno Bowl area, cold and hungry, but not injured. The Team escorted him to Reds Meadows where SAR Team snowmobiles transported him to Main Lodge. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Schilling, Dodson, Holmquist, Schmidt, Thompson, and Hartstrom.
December 6, 2010. 10-673 #44. On December 4, 2010, Ho and Wong were exploring the area around Mono Lake and Dry Creek. They were driving in Ho's Subaru Forester. While crossing the intersection of USFS road 3S12 and 3S41, their vehicle became stuck in the snow at the bottom of an incline. They were unable to free the high centered vehicle. Additional snow fell during the night. They camped where they were stuck until December 5, 2010. Ho walked to an area where he could get cell phone coverage then phoned 911 for help. Lee Vining Tow responded to the area but was unable to locate the stuck vehicle. The tow truck had to chain up in order to exit the area. On the morning of December 6, 2010, the SAR team was dispatched to the area. The Team was able to locate and evacuate Ho and Wong by snowmobile. The snow was too deep to drive the vehicle out. Neither were injured or needed any medical attention. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Schmidt, and Holmquist.
November 22, 2010. LAW-2010-3059 #43. Rick Gentry, 55, of Reno, Nevada, went snowshoeing on the afternoon of November 21, but was caught in a severe snowstorm while lightly dressed and was unable to navigate in the whiteout conditions. He climbed Peak 8406 and was able to get sufficient reception to call for help. Washoe County launched a search that evening that continued day and night for the next several days and throughout storm conditions. Search and rescue units responded from as far away as Auburn and Inyo. Some of his equipment was located near the summit of the peak from which he had called; these items included his pack and snowshoes, one of which had a running shoe attached. Mono personnel assisted in searching dense brush at the summit during the night of the 22nd. The search has now been suspended. Responder: Holmquist.
November 21, 2010, 10-658 #42. Bret Walker of Long Beach and Alan McAuley of Huntington Beach, intermediate snowmobile riders, headed out from the cinder shed with a single sled on a fresh powder day. After getting stuck several times during the day they found themselves once again stuck as darkness fell in near white out/blizzard conditions with 40 to 50 MPH winds. They became disorientated and had no confidence about where they were and how to return to the cinder shed and called 911 for help. Coordinates from their phone application enabled the Team to accurately locate and evacuate them within an hour's time. Responders were: Vetter (Ops), Schilling, and Corning.
November 20-21, 2010. 10-657 #41. Patrick Toon, 47, of Bishop, was hiking up the low trail in Jeffrey Mine Canyon to the Champion mine with two companions. He attempted to shortcut up the large wash in the canyon and became stuck on a steep section on the side of the gully and spent the night out stranded in the wash. The next day after his companions reported the situation, 9 SAR Team members responded to search for Mr. Toon. Ground teams were able to hike to Toon's location, where he complained of back pain and told them he thought he injured his back from falling down the wash an unknown distance. Toon was packaged in a litter, and the Team conducted a low angle lowering to evacuate him from the wash. He was transported to the Ranger ATV at the trail head by wheeled litter and transferred to Symons Ambulance. Responders were: Greene (Ops), DeGeorge, (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Case, Boyd, French, Beck, and Michalski.
October 16, 2010. 10-613 #40. A female climber in the Owens Gorge believed that she was being lowered off a route, but she was apparently not on belay, and fell 130 feet followed by an additional fall of 40 feet. A nearby CalFire unit responded along with LADWP personnel and Mono County Sheriff deputies. Symons paramedics and Mono County SAR were dispatched. Symons was able to drive within 50 yards of the patient with the assistance of DWP. The patient, who reported severe back and leg pain, was backboarded and stabilized. The CDF crew was able to do the short carry to the vehicles. Mono SAR arrived on scene and was simultaneously canceled. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Greene, Case, Brenninkmeyer, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, French (nee Pavlovsky), Michalski, Barnum, Maroti, and Cogan.
October 6-7, 2010. 10-599 #39. Tom Alden, 70, of Truckee, was reported as being overdue from a five-day backpacking trip in the Virginia Canyon to Saddlebag Lake area during an early winter storm. Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Yosemite National Park launched a unified command search for the hiker on the afternoon of the 6th, staging out of the USFS Lee Vining Ranger Station. Five Mono ground teams were sent on hasty searches in the Saddlebag, Virginia, and Lundy Canyon areas on the evening of the 6th. Planning for the 7th was done through the night. On the morning of the 7th, Mono ground teams began hiking into the Saddlebag and Green Lake areas, and a Yosemite ground team hiked up Cold Canyon. Later in the morning Yosemite ground teams and dog teams from Calaveras County were inserted into the Virginia Canyon area by Yosemite helicopter 551. Early in the afternoon, the team in the Green Lake area located Alden near Summit Pass. He had waited for the storm to clear for several days and eventually began to hike out along his access route. Alden was exhausted from hiking through deep snow but was otherwise in good condition. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, Schmidt, Vetter, Hartstrom, Beck, Pavlovsky, Salay, Thompson, Walker, Cogan, Scotese, Corning, Michalski, Ackerman, Maroti, Brenninkmeyer, Dodson, Toussaint, Brad Schilz, Greene, and Hall.
October 2-3, 2010. 10-589 #38. Mark Florant, from Palo Alto, California, injured a knee from a fall at Upper Lamarck Lake in Inyo County. The Mono County team responded to a request for mutual aid from the Inyo team to aid in a carryout of the victim. Mr. Florant was evacuated to the North Lake trailhead via wheeled litter. It was an all-nighter in the rain. Responders were: Greene, Holmquist, Scotese, Schmidt, Pavlovsky, and Dodson.
September 27-28, 2010. 10-582 #37. Frédéric Bourgault, 37, crashed his paraglider at 11,200', about two miles west of White Mountain Research Station's Barcroft Laboratory near Barcroft Peak. The patient was spotted from the air by a passing aircraft. Bourgault was visibly tangled in his equipment and was waving his arms. Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue was dispatched. Cell contact was made with the patient, who reported severe back pain and difficulty moving. Search and Rescue units began driving to Barcroft, and a Care Flight helicopter was dispatched. Care Flight was unable to attempt an extrication due to darkness, altitude, and steep terrain, and a night-vision helicopter unit was requested from Fallon Naval Air Station.
White Mountain Research Station opened its facilities to the SAR team, and base was established at the Barcroft Lab with support from WMRS personnel. A hasty team including an EMT began hiking to the reported crash location, carrying medical equipment, a full-body vacuum splint, and oxygen. Following teams carried a wheeled litter and additional medical supplies to the site. The Fallon helicopter spotted the patient from the air and landed nearby. The first SAR ground team met the Navy Corpsmen at the patient, and assisted them in loading Bourgault on a backboard and moving him to a safer location. After burning off excess fuel, the helicopter hoisted the patient and transported him to Bishop airport, where a Symons ambulance transported him to Northern Inyo Hospital.
The Fallon ship then returned for the Corpsmen, and the SAR units hiked back up to the Barcroft Lab. The patient had multiple vertebral fractures and was immediately transferred from Northern Inyo Hospital to Stanford. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Scotese, Pavlovsky, Dodson, Michalski, Barnum, Greene, Boyd, and Beck.
Click Here for an interesting blog post about this operation
September 26, 2010. 10-579 #36. Robert Strong, 57, of Bishop, fell off a footbridge while hiking near South Lake and injured his leg. Inyo County requested assistance, and the Mono County SAR team was dispatched. Inyo and Mono SAR units transported a litter and wheel to the patient and packaged him for cross-country transport. One short low-angle lowering was necessary enroute. Strong was transferred by SAR to a waiting boat on South Lake and then to Symons Ambulance for ultimate transport to Northern Inyo Hospital. Responders were: Holmquist, Schmidt, Dodson, Pavlovsky, and Greene.
September 24, 2010. 10-573 #35. An injured backpacker at Crater Creek opted to rent pack stock to carry her out versus a litter carry. This decision was reached after the team was enroute. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Schmidt, Holmquist, Scotese, Boyd, and Dodson.
September 20-21, 2010. 10-571 #34. Kyle Reisner, 22, of Mammoth Lakes was reported overdue from a day hike into the Ashley Lake area, west of Devils Postpile. The SAR team was called late on the night of the 20th. Planning was done through the night, and field teams were dispatched at first light the next morning. At 8:36 AM Reisner reached a ridge where he had cell service and made contact with SAR base.
It was determined that he was northwest of Beck Lakes, having become disoriented the day before and having wandered north and west of his intended hiking area, at times descending west of the Sierra Crest. He was directed by phone to the Beck Lakes where Mono ground teams and Yosemite Helicopter 551 converged on his location.
He was transported by Helo 551 to Mammoth Lakes. Reisner was tired, dehydrated, and hungry but was otherwise in good condition. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Dodson, Walker, Vetter, Carole Schilz, Toussaint, Corning, DeGeorge, Beck, and Pavlovsky.
Click Here for Pictures by Joe Walker
September 16, 2010. 10-558 #33. Robert and Nadine Durham, from Dragoon, Arizona, were flying to Lake Tahoe in a small helicopter after re-fueling in Bishop. The SAR team was called out at approximately 1845 for a report of an overdue Robinson R44 helicopter that was traveling from Bishop to Lake Tahoe. Approximately 4 hours earlier a subject had reported a smoke plume east of Bald Mountain, and forest service firefighters spent several hours looking for the burn area but did not locate anything as the smoke had ceased. The SAR team and Forest Service personnel searched the area where the smoke was seen. At approximately 2200 Mr. Durham encountered a camper in the Taylor Creek area and was driven to the Benton Fire Station. He had walked approximately 10 miles to find help. The SAR team, Benton Fire, Lee Vining Fire and Medic units responded to the area with the assistance of Mr. Durham to attempt to locate Nadine Durham still at the crash site. Durham was able to guide responding units to the crash site, where the subjects were treated by Medic units. Two Care Flight helicopters were requested, and landed at the crash site. They transported the victims to Renown Medical Center for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Bold, Gilbreath, Dodson, Salay, Pavlovsky, Ackerman, Barnum, Weatherly, Cogan, Carole Schilz, Walker, Michalski, Hartstrom, and Beck.
Click Here for map and Google Earth Images of crash site
September 11, 2010. 10-542 #32. Mike Arends, 59, went on a backpacking trip with friends in the Ten Lakes area of Yosemite National Park. Arends planned to return alone to the trailhead one day after his friends left their camp, but he was eventually reported overdue. Yosemite launched a search that included mutual aid ground and dog teams from many sources. Three days after his planned exit, Arends was spotted by a searching helicopter, which transported him to the search base. The backpacker had become disoriented immediately after leaving camp and had wandered east to Cathedral Creek. Responder: Holmquist
September 9, 2010. 10-540 #31. Greg Leo, 62, of Fountain Valley, California, was part of a large guided group that was backpacking through the Thousand Island Lake area where he became disabled from severe abdominal pain. The SAR team responded and launched a ground medical team. Due to his potentially dangerous condition, the Sheriff's Office requested aid from Helicopter 551 from Yosemite National Park for immediate response. The helicopter landed very near the group, loaded the patient, and transported him to Mammoth Airport. Mono County paramedics transported him to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Greene, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Dodson, Robertson, Pavlovsky, DeGeorge, and Toussaint.
September 2, 2010. 10-524 #30. Richard Gregory, 57, of Huntington Beach, began suffering symptoms of altitude sickness while backpacking with his wife in the Thousand Island Lake area. His wife called 911 on their cell phone, and the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team was called out. The Team requested the help of the California Highway Patrol helicopter based in Fresno due to Gregory's location in the backcountry. The Gregory's originally reported their location as being on the River Trail near Garnet Lake, but a Forest Service backcountry ranger was unable to locate them. While re-contacting them on their cell phone, another backpacking group passed by their location, and they were able to borrow a global positioning system (GPS) device that showed their location as being approximately 1-1/2 miles north of their reported location. The helicopter was able to land near this location, and was able to transport Gregory and his wife to the Forest Service helipad in Mammoth Lakes. The reduction in altitude significantly helped his condition, and he did not require further medical treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Salay, Robertson, Ackerman, Barnum, Bold, Cogan, and DeGeorge.
August 31, 2010. 10-521 #29. Dewayne Burt, 60, of Visalia, California, was hiking on the trail above Little Walker Lake when he lost his footing and fell thirty feet down a steep section of the hillside below the trail. His companion Jesse Shepard climbed down to him, finding that Burt had sustained abrasions and injuries to his left arm, and was weak with some respiratory distress. He was unable to climb back up the loose terrain to the trail, even with Shepard's aid. Shepard then hiked out and drove to cell phone coverage and called 911. Lee Vining Fire and 9 SAR Team members responded, and evacuated Mr. Burt via wheeled litter. He was transported by Medic 2 to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Greene (Ops), DeGeorge, Robertson, Salay, Holmquist, Toussaint, Barnum, Brenninkmeyer, and Hartstrom.
August 21-22, 2010. 10-496 #28. Diego Gonzalez, 44, of Studio City, and Henry MacAll, 35, of Mission Hills, left Mono Village on the morning of 21 August for a morning hike, planning to return to the trailhead by 1 PM. They were undecided as to whether they would try to climb Matterhorn Peak or just hike along the trail and then return. The two became separated on the trail within a half hour of their departure. MacAll first hiked back down the trail, then searched up canyon on the trail for several hours before returning to Mono Village in the early afternoon. Gonzalez was reported overdue at 7:30 PM, and the SAR team was dispatched. A hasty team was sent to search Horse Creek Canyon, and another person was sent to serve as a trail block. Meanwhile, other resources were being coordinated for the following morning, including 10-15 ground searchers, three search dogs, and a National Guard helicopter. At 1:15 AM, the hasty team found Gonzalez slowly making his way down the trail without a light. He had climbed some steep terrain on the other side of the canyon from Matterhorn Peak and become concerned about steep terrain and loose talus and scree. He stayed in place on the slope for about six hours until dusk when he began slowly walking downhill to the floor of the canyon and towards the trailhead. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Beck, Schmidt, Case, Barnum.
August 21, 2010. 10-494 #27. Matthew Preston, age 24, from Lake Wales, Florida was on the third day of a through-hike of the John Muir Trail when he injured his left ankle, and was unable to walk. The Team hiked in from the Agnew Meadows trailhead, evaluated Mr. Preston's condition, and evacuated him via wheeled litter. He declined medical aid or transport to a medical facility, and was transported to his personal vehicle at Tuolumne Meadows by a Team member. Responders were: Schmidt (Ops), Holmquist, Greene, Michalski, Corning, Scotese, Gilbreath, and Toussaint.
August 15, 2010. 10-478 #26. Gus Axel-Chidsey, age 25, of San Francisco, California, suffered a possible broken leg while backpacking near Saddlebag Lake. The SAR team responded and assisted Inyo Forest Fire personnel, who were training in the area and had already begun a rescue effort. Saddlebag Lake Resort personnel also aided in the call by providing boat transportation across the lake. Mr. Axel-Chidsey was transported by his hiking partner to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Michalski (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Beck, Rushing, Pavlovsky, and Boyd.
August 15, 2010. 10-476 #25. Sunday morning, August 15, 2010, the Mono County Sheriff's department received a call from a family member of two backpackers who were in the Garnet Lake area. She had received an email notification generated by her family members' SPOT device that they were in need of help. SPOT devices are small, handheld units that give persons the ability to send a help or emergency message by sending a signal to orbiting satellites. The SPOT company then forwards the messages to designated email address and/or rescue authorities. The SAR Team was called out to determine what kind of help was needed. A California Highway Patrol helicopter from Fresno was requested, and the crew was able to determine that the backpackers were okay and had inadvertently pushed the "Need Help" button. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Boyd, Case, Rushing, Dodson, Michalski, Gilbreath, and DeGeorge.
August 14, 2010. 10-472 #24. Angie Ruiz, 19, and her mother, Sally Ruiz, 47, both of Anaheim, California, were hiking in the Horseshoe Lake area and became separated from their group. They wandered downhill on trails but became concerned because they saw only wilderness below them, yet were too exhausted to retrace their steps back uphill. The daughter called 911, and the SAR team was dispatched. A tentative cell phone fix placed them on the Mammoth Pass Trail about halfway between Horseshoe Lake and Reds Meadow. Two hasty teams were sent in to the likely area with cold drinks, food, and umbrellas for shade. One team started at Horseshoe Lake and hiked downhill from Horseshoe Lake, and the other hiked uphill from Reds Meadow so as to increase the chances of locating the two hikers quickly. A third team started hiking from Horseshoe Lake with more extensive medical equipment and a wheeled litter as a precaution. The mother and daughter were located in tired but good condition near the cell phone fix and were escorted downhill to Reds Meadow. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Greene, Brad Schilz, Michalski, Dodson, Boyd, Case, DeGeorge, Beck, and Weatherly.
August 12, 2010. 10-468 #23. Jordan Eliades, 87, of Bakersfield, California, fell and struck his head on a rock while camping with family members at Sherwin Lake. The SAR Team was called out to help Eliades back to the trailhead for treatment. The team responded with their wheeled litter, and were able to transport him to the Sherwin Lake trailhead parking lot. A Mono County Paramedic unit transported him to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Dodson, Pavlovsky, Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, Barnum, Robinson, Lopez, Boyd, Beck, and Hartstrom.
August 11, 2010. 10-463 #22. Robert Schultz, 60, of Lake Tahoe, California, was reported missing in the Saddlebag Lake area after he failed to return from a day hike to his camp with a group at Cascade Lake on Tuesday evening, August 10. The SAR Team, along with a CHP helicopter, conducted a search. The steep terrain around the lake was searched by ground, air and with a K-9 unit. After a number of hours, the search teams found Mr. Schultz, deceased, near a steep rock wall west of the lake. Mr. Schultz was reported to have been a lead member of a ski patrol team from Lake Tahoe, an expert big wall climber and mountaineer who was familiar with the local area. The death is believed to be a result of a solo climber fall and is under investigation. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Holmquist, Schmidt, Beck, Walker, Corning, Rushing, Case, Dodson, Ackerman, Robertson, Vetter, Weatherly, Michalski, and Barnum.
August 5, 2010. 10-446 #21. Elizabeth Brown, 63, of Berkeley, California, became ill during a backpacking trip near Gem Lake. Some of the SAR team from the Convict Lake rescue were diverted to June Lake and began hiking in to assist her, but a CHP helicopter was able to land near the dam and transport her to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Beck, and Hartstrom.
August 5, 2010. 10-445 #20. Miguel Lizaragga, 49, of Imperial, California, injured his knee while backpacking in Convict Canyon about two and a half miles above Convict Lake. The SAR team hiked in with a litter and wheel and transported him across the creek and down the trail to Convict Lake, where marina personnel assisted by ferrying him across the lake by boat. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Corning, Walker, Barnum, Michalski, Beck, Hartstrom, and Pavlovsky.
July 31-August 1, 2010. 10-435 #19. Derrick Carbiener, 21, of Mckinleyville, California, was hiking with his father in the Shadow lake area west of Mammoth Lakes when he injured his ankle and knee. His SPOT device was activated, and the Team was called out to assist Carbiener in getting out of the backcountry. The Team was able to reach him the following morning, and transported him to the Agnew Meadows Trailhead using a wheeled litter. He was taken to Mammoth hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, Corning, Pavolvsky, Ackerman, Boyd, Maroti, and O'Brian.
July 25, 2010. 10-414 #18. Horace Gates, 50, of Ridgecrest, CA, and friends from China Lake camped at 8971 feet near a tarn at the base of the east slope of Mt. Morrison, intending to climb the peak in the morning. He awoke feeling ill with vertigo, and the group requested help. The ground teams encountered Mr. Gates on the way in as he was being walked out by his companions. He declined medical aid, and safely descended to his vehicle. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Boyd, Salay, Maroti, Scotese, and De George
July 21, 2010. 10-405 #17. Greg Vernon, 62, of Ridgecrest, CA, injured his left knee when kicking steps while descending a snowfield on the east slope of Mt. Ritter. He was unable to put weight on the knee. A companion used a cell phone to call 911 for assistance. Yosemite helicopter 551 was able to evacuate Mr. Vernon to Mammoth airport. County paramedics transported him to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), and Greene.
July 19, 2010. 10-402 #16. On Monday morning, July 19, 2010, Steve Rubenstein of Fayetteville, New York, called 911 to report his friend, Timothy Cushing of Pacifica, California, was suffering from a possible stroke. The two were backpacking in the Eastern Sierra and had stayed the night at the outlet of Iceberg Lake. That morning Cushing started experiencing stroke symptoms so Rubenstein began hiking out to the trailhead for help. He came across another group of backpackers who had a cell phone that was able to receive signal in the backcountry and called for help using their phone. The Mono County Sheriff's Department called out the search and rescue team, and due to the remoteness of Cushing's location the team requested the help of the Yosemite National Park rescue helicopter. The helicopter was able to land near Cushing's campsite at the lake, and was able to transport him to a waiting ambulance at the Mariposa Airfield. He was taken to Modesto Memorial Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Walker, Pavlovsky, Salay, Robertson, Ackerman, Michalski, and Maroti.
July 17, 2010. 10-397 #15. A 13 year old boy from Diamond Bar wandered away from his hiking group at the Sherwin Lakes on July 17. The Mono SAR team was activated, and search teams began to deploy in the area, but the boy was located soon thereafter by members of his group. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Michalski, Carole Shilz, Brad Schilz, Schmidt, Case, Ackerman, Walker, and Maroti.
July 15, 2010. 10-394 #14. Valerie Ice, 54, of Mammoth, planned to carry food supplies over Lamarck Col to backpackers hiking through Darwin Basin. The two parties did not meet as planned, and the backpackers hiked east over Lamarck Col and found Ice's empty campsite. The food supply was gone. The backpackers had cell phone signal, and alerted the Inyo County authorities who launched a SAR mission. Mono SAR responded in mutual aid along with China Lake SAR and a National Guard helicopter. Ice was located in good condition near Lamarck Col late in the morning of 16 July by a climbing party that was also in the area. Responders were: Holmquist, Beck, and Rousek.
July 11, 2010. 10-384 #13. Two friends from Mammoth Lakes, Dave Shelton and Randy Sly, went backpacking in the Convict Creek area south of Mammoth Lakes the weekend of July 10, 2010. While hiking out from their trip on Sunday they ran out of water, with Sly and an accompanying dog suffering from possible heat stroke. Shelton hiked out to the Convict Lake marina and notified the Mono County Sheriff's Department. The Mono County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team was called out and were able to reach Sly quickly with fluids for both he and the dog. After hydration, Sly and the team were able to walk out, but the dog, a 16 year-old golden retriever named Toby, was carried out using the team's wheeled litter due to his age, dehydration, and injuries to his paws. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Rushing, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Boyd, Cogan, Case, Maroti, Ackerman, and Walker.
July 7, 2010. 10-378 #12. Allen Updedraff, 67, of Houston TX, slipped on snow while backpacking across Donahue Pass, then slid into rocks and severely injured his shoulder. Another party was able to call for help via cell phone. Yosemite helicopter 551 flew in to the area through thunderstorms to attempt an extrication, and Mono SAR began to deploy a medical team by ground as a back-up to the helicopter. Other Mono SAR personnel were on standby for helicopter insertion in case the patient needed to be shuttled to a distant landing zone. The helicopter offloaded paramedics who walked the patient to the aircraft and then flew Updedraff to Crane Flat for further transport by ambulance. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Michalski, Pavlovsky, Greene, Corning, Gilbreath, Ackerman, Toussaint, and Salay.
July 7, 2010. 10-376 #11. Ladislav Terek, 50, of Hayward, CA, was reported overdue from a backpacking trip around the Sawtooth Range, near Bridgeport. The SAR team was activated in unified command with Yosemite National Park, as his route traversed both jurisdictions. A National Guard helicopter was also dispatched. As the field teams were leaving base, Terek walked out. He had been turned around by extensive, late season snow at Mule Pass and had been slow in retracing his route to Twin lakes. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Rushing, Lemon, Dodson, Toussaint, Schilling, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Pavlovsky, Gilbreath, Davenport, Barnum, Greene, and Corning.
July 5-6, 2010. 10-372 #10. On Monday afternoon, July 5, 2010, Robert Butler, 66, of San Diego, was reported missing while returning from a backpacking trip after failing to meet his hiking group at their vehicle parked at the Sawmill Canyon trailhead parking lot southwest of Lee Vining. Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team members began searching for him that afternoon, along with a Sea Hawk rescue helicopter from Naval Air Station Fallon and personnel from the Inyo National Forest. The following morning additional search resources were requested, and the search continued with the support of four California Rescue Dog Association search dogs/handlers, plus members of the Inyo County Sheriff's Posse. Mr. Butler was subsequently located early that morning after he contacted the caretaker at a private housing community at Walker Lake. He had taken a wrong fork in a trail while returning to the vehicle, and had spent the night approximately two miles northeast of the trailhead parking lot. He was uninjured and returned to San Diego with his hiking group. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Maroti, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Boyd, Dodson, Gilbreath, Rushing, Hartstrom, Michalski, Davenport, Walker, Cogan, Bold, Holmquist, Schmidt, Corning, Weatherly, Pierce (Inyo), Day (Inyo), Durand (Carda), Smee (Carda), and Sheets (Cardo).
July 5, 2010. 10-none #9. Dave Amin, of Rolling Hills Estates, and his family of four began a hike from Minaret Vista, lost the trail in the snow and became disoriented with no landmarks in view due to tree coverage. He called 911 with his cell phone for aid, and a Team member was able to guide them via phone to a point uphill where landmarks were visible. They walked out to Highway 203 and returned to their car. Responders were: Greene (Ops), and Gilbreath.
June 2, 2010. 10-300 #8. Keith Nannery, 60, of Joshua Tree, rappelled off the end of his rope, in the far northern end of Owens Gorge, and fell 20'. After the fall, he was unable to stand, complained of chest, back, pelvic, and leg pain, and had intermittent mild nausea, but was generally stable with good vital signs. The SAR team and SO personnel responded to the scene, sending a hasty medical team to assess and support the patient and scouting teams to look for a route that could be used for transport by wheeled litter. Mono County paramedics were called for medical support, and the medics also scrambled down the class 3 access route to reach Nannery. Finding no suitable route for the wheeled litter, the SAR team lowered the litter down the climbing route, and then did a technical raising of the patient and a litter attendent. Nannery was then transported to SME by the medics. He was later determined to have fractured his pelvis in two locations resulting in some internal bleeding Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Bold, Pavlovsky, Corning, Greene, Case, B Schilz, C Schilz, Beck, Thompson, Schilling, Walker, and Weatherly.
May 31-June 1, 2010. 10-289 #7. Michael Oberth, of Lincoln, CA, was severely injured while skiing in the Matterhorn Peak area. He took a fall down a rock slope, suffering severe head injuries. One of his sons that were skiing with him skied/hiked to their base camp and notified his mother. She hiked out to Mono Village and called 911. The SAR team responded to Mono Village and sent teams in with medical and victim transport gear. The SAR team located the subject at 2246, deceased. Followup teams arrived, and did a snow lowering to a flat LZ. All team members returned to base, except for two team members who stayed with the remains overnight. The following morning a Blackhawk helicopter from the National Guard arrived and was able to land at the field team's location. The helicopter transported the remains and the two team members to the Bridgeport airport. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Rousek, Winder, Holmquist, Pavlovsky, Beck, Hartstrom, Salay, Gilbreath, Thompson, Barnum, Maroti, Bold, Cogan, Dodson, Robertson, DeGeorge, and Walker.
May 24, 2010. 10-266 #6. Anthony Aguilera Jr., of Santa Bianca, was reported missing in the cold early hours of 24 May after a night out with friends and family at Convict Lake Resort. He was last seen leaving his father's rented cabin at resort and was enroute to his own cabin. The Mono SAR team was dispatched and searched the area surrounding the resort with additional support from Mono County Sheriff personnel and a dog team from Inyo SAR. A helicopter from CHP had also been requested but was not yet enroute. Aguilera returned to the resort at 6:15 AM. He had walked up a hill, fallen down, and decided to sleep where he fell before returning to his cabin. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Bold, Schmidt, Pavlovsky, Lopez, Dodson, Rousek, and Pierce (Inyo).