June 13, 2026 26-271 #19
Hikers in Distress Near Rainbow Falls
At 1318 hours the Team was called to assist with a pair of female hikers in distress with suspected heat stroke, exhaustion, and/or AMS. Updates in progress. The operation terminated at 1711 hours.
IC: Rhoads Responders: Ackerman, Barker, Campbell, Creager, Glessner, Huizingh, Knight, Lipman, Mathison, Quiring, Romanova, Salay, Schildge, Senior, Tardy, M. Thompson, Wallace Wojciechowski, Zila
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
June 12, 2026 26-267 #18
Reported Lost Juvenile at Mono Village Campground
At 1836 hours the Team was called to assist in the search for a missing juvenile at Twin Lakes, Bridgeport, Mono Village Campground. Shortly after the Team began their response, the subject was located by a non-SAR searcher, and the operation was terminated at 1852.
IC: Rhoads Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Ackerman, Barker, Campbell, Creager, Kelly, Lipman, Quiring, Salay, M. Thompson, Zila
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
June 11, 2026 26-265 #17
Lost Hiker, Gem Pass
At 1437 hours, the Team was called to assist a lost backpacker near Gem Pass. Updates to follow. The operation terminated at 2351 hours. IC: Belcher Responders: Many
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
June 9, 2026 26-259 #16
Assist Inyo SAR, Medic 3, and Long Valley Fire with subject with possible cardiac issues, near Mack Lake in the Little Lakes Valley. Updates to follow. Operation start: 1614 hours, operation terminated 2113.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Quiring, Arndt, Lipman, Blackman, Barker, Anderson, Schildge, Romanova, M. Thompson, Knight, Wojciechowski, Campbell
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
June 2, 2026 26-252 #15
Recovery of a drowning victim in the West Walker River
At 1849 hours the Team was called to assist the Marine Warfare Training Center Fire Department in the recovery of a drowning victim at the north end of the Walker River Canyon. One north county team member participated in the recovery which was complete before the other MOSAR responders arrived. The op was terminated at 2025 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Anderson, Arndt, Brownlee, Carlson, Glessner, Kelly, Knight, Lipman (online), Quiring, Salay, Schildge, Tardy, M.Thompson, Wojciechowski
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
April 23, 2026 26-182 #14
Unresponsive Male Subject in Bloody Couloir
At 0955 hours the Team was called to assist with a medical emergency on Bloody Mountain for a 45-year-old male in medical distress while ascending Bloody Mountain. It was reported that the subject collapsed while ascending with his group toward the Bloody Mountain summit ridge, at an elevation of approximately 11,400’. Rescue base was established at the intersection of Laurel Lakes Road and Sherwin Creek Road, and a significant team response ensued.
Operations requested air resources, and CHP Helicopter H42 from Fresno accepted. Operations directed a hasty team of two to be assigned to the incoming helicopter at Mammoth-Yosemite Airport (KMMH). Three rescue vehicles, a 4x4 Ranger, a 6x6 Ranger, and 2 snowmobiles were deployed to base. Captain Paul Zastoupil, a Chaplain from the Long Valley Fire Protection District also reported to base. Both rangers were assigned crews of backcountry snow travel and rigging personnel to support a bottom-up approach. As H42 approached the group’s location to reconnoiter, it was reported that CPR was in progress.
A Mono County EMS unit had already been staged near the Highway 203/Highway 395 intersection, and was moved to KMMH to prepare a paramedic for hoist insertion alongside the MOSAR team. H42 was stripped and reconfigured at KMMH, and the first of three insertions followed. The three hoist insertions were successful, and ALS care for the subject was established shortly after the second insertion.
A paramedic from Mono County EMS Medic 3 unit (also a MOSAR member) hoisting from CHP H42.
Despite the efforts of all involved, especially his group’s initial efforts prior to MOSAR and ALS arrival, the subject was ultimately pronounced deceased. The subject’s remains were prepared for extrication via hoist and transported shortly thereafter back to KMMH for release to the coroner. One rescuer and paramedic were hoisted out and returned to KMMH.
The final rescuer on scene descended with the rest of the group, where they were met by additional team members in the field. All personnel returned to base without incident, and the operation was terminated at 1625 hours. Thank you to our agency partners at CHP - Central Division Air Operations, Mono County EMS, and LVFPD and the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
IC: Rhoads Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Anderson, Baron, Brownlee, Bush, Campbell, Creager, Cucura, Huizingh, Knecht, Lipman, Quiring, Romanova, Salay, Tardy, Trainor, Wilson, Wojciechowski, Zila, M. Thompson, Patterson
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
March 29, 2026 26-143 #13
Assist LVFD with reported partially incapacitated 87-year-old male hiker, Convict Lake
At 1450 hours the Team was called to assist Long Valley Fire Department (LVFD). Update in progress. Operation terminated at 1700 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Quiring, M. Thompson, Barker, Bui, Mathison, Salay, Wojciechowski
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
March 20, 2026 26-137 #12
Stranded Hiker on Mount Downs
At 1408 hours the Team was called for a report of a male hiker who was cliffed out and possibly injured after a scramble up Mount Downs above June Lake Fire Protection (JLFD) Station 1. Rescue base was established across from JLFD Station 1. Operations made cell phone contact with the subject and determined his approximate location coordinates, placing them around 9,400’ elevation.
Operations deployed a field team of two to access and assess the subject. A second team of two was deployed shortly after and followed a few minutes behind Team 1. Operations also deployed a drone from base, which eventually located the subject and determined they were stuck on rock surrounded by steep snow.
Scrambling, thrashing, and postholing toward the subject’s location.
UAV image of field team members ascending the subject location.
After approximately 1,500 vertical feet of bushwhacking, light scrambling, and knee-deep postholing, Team 1 made contact with the subject and determined he was unharmed. Team 2 scouted the best exit route, while Team 1 worked with the subject to maneuver through initial technical terrain, utilizing a sound-victim harness and verbal coaching.
UAV image of a field team with the subject.
Scouting the descent route.
On the descent.
All members and the subject eventually regrouped and were able to make their way down to the trailhead with relative ease. The operation was terminated at 1900 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Arndt, Barker, Blackman, Cornelius, Cucura, Lipman, Mayernick, Quiring, Senior, Campbell
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
March 14, 2026 26-121 #11
Hiker Falls into Convict Lake, Sustains Injuries
At 1255 hours the Team was requested by the Long Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) via the Mono County Sheriff’s Office for a report of a hiker who had fallen above the southwest shore of Convict Lake, sustaining multiple injuries during the fall and ultimately coming to a stop in the lake. The Team’s inflatable rescue boat was requested, and team members already at the Mammoth Lakes MOSAR HQ on other business as well as a team member at Convict Lake were able to deploy quickly.
Rescue base was established at the Convict Lake Marina, and three team members manned the IRB. On the southwest side of the lake, the boat team met up with Mono County paramedics and LVFPD firefighters who were already on scene. The subject was assessed, packaged and transported back to the marina in the IRB, where they were reassessed, and ultimately transported for further care. An additional trip across the lake was made to bring a family member and LVFPD personnel to the boat launch. The operation was terminated at 1505 hours.
MOSAR members responding to the accident site in the IRB.
Attending to the subject prior to boat transport across to the marina.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Ackerman, Huizing
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
February 18, 2026 26-081 #10
Stranded Motorist Picnic Grounds Road Near Lee Vining Creek
Update in progress. At 1228 hours the Team was called to assist with transporting a stranded motorist with team snowmobiles. Operation terminated at 1630 hours.
IC: Gillespie Ops Leader: Beck Responder: Leyen
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
February 11, 2026 26-072 #9
Reported Injured Skier Dunderberg Peak 911 text from a satellite device indicated a need for assistance, but no details. The Team was activated at 1142 hours, and while still on route to the reported coordinates, it was determined that the 911 text was an inadvertent activation. The call was then cancelled at 1209 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Brownlee, Bush, Gerber, Haugh, Kelly, Knight, Lipman, Quiring, Salay, Tardy, Wilson, Anderson.
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
February 6, 2026 26-064 #8
Stranded Motorist on Hot Creek Road
At 0323 hours, the Team was called to assist a stranded motorist near the Hot Creek parking area. A Mono County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputy initially responded to the 911 call and found Hot Creek Road to be impassable in their patrol vehicle. A request then went out to the Team.
A field team of two staged at the turnaround behind Mammoth Airport with the tracked Polaris Ranger and picked up the MCSO deputy. The subject was quickly located and it was determined that the subject’s vehicle would require an off-road tow company. The field team returned to the airport with the subject and the subject was transported to a hotel for the night by the deputy.
Arriving at the subject location.
Not ideal conditions for wheeled vehicles
The operation was terminated at 0503 hours.
IC/Ops: Pelichowski Responders: Anderson, Haugh, Quiring
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 31, 2026 26-054 #7
Injured Hiker Convict Lake
At 0954 hours, the Team was called to assist Long Valley Fire (LVFPD) and Mono County EMS (Medic 3). It was reported that a hiker was injured and in a precarious position on ice at the southwest end of Convict Lake.
Base was established by LVFPD at the Convict Lake Marina. Mono SAR operations deployed the Team’s inflatable rescue boat with 2 operators and one paramedic from Medic 3 and proceeded toward the subject’s location. LVFPD firemen on scene assisted the subject, who was found to be cold but uninjured, down to the boat. The subject, one LVFPD fireman, and the initial three responders returned to the marina. After the subject was safely delivered ashore, the two boat operators returned to pick up the remaining firemen.
Leaving the marina
Returning to the marina with a load of passengers
All personnel returned to shore without incident.
The operation was terminated at 1248 hours.
IC: Rhoads Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Blackman, Huizingh, Lipman, Mayernick, Zila
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 27, 2026 26-046 #6
Injured Skier Below Little Slide Canyon
At 1226 hours the Team was called to assist with an inReach activation involving an injured skier below Little Slide Canyon. A group of two reported that one member of their party fell descending from a bench below the Incredible Hulk, and and sustained a likely broken arm, rendering them unable to self-extricate. Rescue base was established at Bryant Field Airport in Bridgeport.
The Team responded with two rescue trucks, two mountain sleds, three trail sleds, and the Rescueboggan over snow patient transport.
Operations requested air resources, and CHP helicopter H20 out of Auburn accepted the mission. Operations staged a two-person field team to be assigned to the incoming helicopter. Additional members were deployed from Mono Village on SAR sleds to begin an access plan into the Robinson Creek drainage below the slope where the subjects were located.
H20 at Bryant Field Airport, Btidgeport
H20 determined winds and terrain were incompatible for a hoist, as they exceeded 35 knot gusts within the canyon. The field team was loaded, and H20 landed in the valley and ascended to the subjects. The IC advised the subject’s group to continue descending if possible. As the field team approached the landing site, it was determined the subjects had descended through the technical terrain under their own power but required assistance crossing Robinson Creek.
Member of the air-inserted field team traveling to the subject location.
H20 at the LZ
H20 landed and shut down, and the field team accessed the subjects on skis and assisted them across a well-established downstream crossing. The injured subject was loaded into the helicopter and transported to Bryant Field. The field team and a member of the subject’s party exited on skis until they reached the SAR sled team, and were transported back to base.
The sled team arriving to transport the field team and the subject’s companion.
The operation was terminated at 1712 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Anderson, Brownlee, Gerber, Quiring, Tardy
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 19, 2026 26-032 #5
Backcountry Skier with Lower Leg Injury, Horse Creek Drainage.
At 1414 hours the Team was called to assist a 51-year-old male skier with a lower leg injury in the Horse Creek drainage above Twin Lakes Bridgeport. Base was established at Bryant Field airport in Bridgeport. CHP helicopter H42 was requested, and they accepted the mission. A field team of two ski-equipped team members staged at Mono Village to ascend the Horse Creek drainage.
Field team ascending the Horse Creek drainage
Approximately 20 minutes after the field team departure from the trailhead, CHP H42, with a crew of 3, arrived overhead and determined they could land and complete the rescue. The field team transitioned to standby at Mono Village in the event H42 was unable to complete the mission.
CHP H42 transported the patient to Mono Village, and were assisted in off-loading the subject by the standby field team. The patient elected to have family transport them to further medical care. The call was terminated at 1729 hours.
CHP H42 delivering the subject to Mono Village
IC: Pelichowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Anderson, Quiring, Glessner, Brownlee, Kelly
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 19, 2026 26-031 #4
Transport of injured snomobile rider for Mono County EMS.
At 1300 hours the Team was called to assist Mono County EMS with patient transport of an injured snomobile rider at Smoky Bear Flat. The Team’s tracked Polaris Ranger was used to transport the patient and accompanying paramedics back to the roadway, after which the patient was transported to Mammoth Hospital for further treatment. The call was completed at 1412 hours.
The Team’s tracked Polaris Ranger used to transport the subject and EMS personnel at Smoky Bear Flat
IC: Gillespie Ops Leader: None Responders: Quiring, Anderson
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 19, 2026 26-030 #3
Mutual Aid request from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office for an overdue hiker on Mt. Whitney. Start 1203 hours, finish 1908 hours.
From the Inyo County Search and Rescue Facebook post:
Fatality on Mount Whitney
On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Team received a report of an overdue hiker on Mount Whitney.
Two hikers began their ascent at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, continuing through the night and into the following day. At approximately 3:30 p.m., while near the 12,500-foot elevation, one hiker determined it was safest to turn around and descend. The second hiker continued ascending toward the summit.
When the second hiker failed to return by the following morning, the reporting party contacted the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, and a SAR response was initiated.
Six rescuers assembled in Lone Pine and coordinated with the California Highway Patrol Inland Division helicopter (H-82) out of Apple Valley, which arrived shortly before 2:00 p.m. One rescuer was inserted with the flight crew to conduct an aerial search. After a thorough search, the subject was located on the north face of Mount Whitney, below the “Final 400” on the Mountaineers Route, and was confirmed deceased.
A second rescuer was flown in to assist with recovery operations. All rescuers were safely returned to Lone Pine by approximately 5:50 p.m.
The incident occurred within Tulare County jurisdiction, and proper notification was made to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
This incident, along with recent fatalities on Mount Whitney and Mount Baldy, serves as a reminder that winter ascents are serious mountaineering endeavors, not hikes. Winter conditions leave little margin for error, and the consequences can be severe.
Additionally, many fatalities occur when individuals travel solo or when groups separate. If someone in your group expresses safety concerns, those concerns should be taken seriously.
Fatigue is also a critical contributing factor. Extended periods of exertion negatively impact decision-making and increase the likelihood of missteps and falls. Knowing when to turn around can save lives.
Please be respectful in your comments. The victim’s family and friends may be following this post, and some comments may be hurtful. Thank you!
Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office.
Mono IC: Rhoads Mono Ops Leader: Haugh Mono Responders: Lipman, Huizingh
January 9, 2026 26-### #2
Missing At-Risk Juvenile in the Mammoth Lakes Area
At 1956 hours, the Team was called to assist in the search for a missing at-risk 16-year-old male in the Mammoth Lakes town vicinity. The search was conducted in conjunction with other local agencies, including the Mammoth Lakes Police Department.
Search base was established at Mono County SAR Headquarters in Mammoth. Operations also requested the team Search Team Manager (STM). As the STM arrived at base and personnel were briefing and developing a plan at the SAR building, MLPD advised Incident Command that the subject had been safely located. The operation was terminated at 2036 hours.
IC: Rhoads Ops: Haugh Responders: Barker, Carlson, Gerber, Kaufman, Quiring, Salay, Tardy
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
January 7, 2026 26-010 #1
Overdue Juvenile Fisherman at Hot Creek. At 1814 hours the Team was called to assist in the search for a missing 16-year-old male who was last heard from at 1430 hours after a day of fishing in the Hot Creek area. Search base was established at the confluence of Hot Creek Hatchery and Hot Creek Ranch roads.
Operations made the early decision to deploy our Search Team Manager as well as both SAR K9s and their handlers.
As the Team approached base, a MCSO Deputy/SAR Coordinator and Incident Commander already on scene informed arriving personnel that the subject’s father had made contact with him, and both were safe and accounted for.
Kacka and Solo ready to go to work!
The subject required no medical attention, and the operation was terminated at 1901 hours.
IC: Belcher Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Brownlee, Carlson, Gerber, Huizingh, Lipman, Patterson, Quiring, Romanova, Salay, Tardy, Thompson, plus K9 Solo and handler Ackerman and K9 Kacka with handler Zila.
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue