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
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
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
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
December 28, 2025 25-7## #49
Stranded skier on the north side of June Mountain Ski Area. Operation initiated at 1731 hours, terminated at 1828 hours. Update in progress.
IC: Rhoads Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Quiring, Lipman, Beck, Carlson, Gerber
December 27, 2025 25-738 #48
Two snomobile riders caught in large avalanche above Latopie Lake. At 1132 hours the Team was called to assist snowmobile riders caught in a large avalanche (estimated D3) involving possible multiple injured subjects with unknown burial status above Latopie Lake in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA).
Rescue base was established at Bryant Field airport in Bridgeport. Operations also requested CHP
helicopter H42 out of Fresno, CA, and they accepted the misson. Battle Born Medevac helicopter from Yerington, NV contacted the Mono County Sheriff’s Office to offer assistance, which was accepted.
Team members responded with rescue gear including the Team’s mountain snowmobiles. Battle Born was first on scene and was able to land and assess. It was determined that one individual (out of a group of seven) was partially buried and trapped under his machine in a shallow section of Latopie Lake. Bystanders and Battle Born personnel were able to extricate the rider and Battle Born transported him to Renown Hospital in Reno, NV. The other individual caught in the slide was uninjured and rode double with another rider back to the trailhead.
Northeast facing slope above Latopie Lake
The slide broke the ice on Latopie Lake. Note the tracks across the lake and above and on both sides of the slide area
Aerial view of slide area. Image by CHP H42 crew.
Aerial view from another angle
The resting place for the avalanche subject’s machine. Image from the Bridgeport Avalanche Center.
As the Team was gearing up at Bryant Field, CHP H42 arrived at Latopie Lake to continue response if needed. After determining the scene was clear of other subjects in need, H42 departed the area. The rest of the party elected to return to the BWRA parking lot via their snowmobiles.
The operation was terminated at 1312 hours.
IC: Pelechowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Huizingh, Gerber, Creager, Barker, Irving-Ruffing
December 25, 2025 25-736 #47
Stranded hiker on Highway 120 east near Sagehen Summit.
At 1216 hourstThe Team was called to assist a stranded hiker who was planning to walk from Bridgeport to Bishop. The hiker vastly underestimated the severity of the atmospheric river storms that were moving through the area, and became stranded and asked for assistance. The team staged near the Panum Crater turnoff as 120 East had not been plowed and was gated at the winter closure near Navy Beach. A field team of two rode mountain sleds east on 120, went around the winter closure gate, and continued toward the subject's marked location.
After passing Mono Mills, and starting the climb toward Sagehen Summit, the snow became noticeably deeper. The top 18" were somewhat supportive, but below that was 4' or more of completely unconsolidated snow. Both mountain sleds are 800s with a 155" track and are very capable machines, but as the grade steepened, both sleds became stuck in 6' of snow. After mulitple excavations and tries, the Sheriff's Office was contacted, and their snowcat requested. The field team returned to base.
A sergeant and deputy arrived at the staging area with the snowcat, and it took approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel just less than 11 miles to the subject location through very difficult snow conditons. The subject was located and transported back to the staging area. The return trip was much quicker as the path was packed in from the approach. The operation was terminated at 2212 hours.a
Travel was difficult in deep unconsolidated snow
On Highway 120 east just past the winter closure gate
There was 18” of somewhat supportive snow over 4-6’ of unconsolidated low quality snow
Often the snow was so deep it was pushing over the sled cowling
The Sheriff’s Office snowcat following the trenches left by the mountain sleds.
The Sheriff’s Office snowcat breaking trail
The snowcat with a Sergeant and Deputy aboard locate the stranded subject.
IC: Pelichowski, Belcher Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Leyen, Carlson
November 29, 2025 25-682 #46
Mutual Aid with Inyo County
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office requested 2-4 MOSAR members for a mutual aid in the Mt. Whitney area. Update from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office on December 16, 2025:
Press release from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office
November 28 - MA request, briefing, planning and preparation. November 29 - 0500 hours to 2100 hours. IC: Pelichowski, Belcher Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Anderson, Quiring, Lipman Support: Haugh
November 13, 2025 25-666 #45
Assisting with Evacuations Associated with the Pack Fire
An evacuation order was issued for the Crowley and McGee Creek areas due to a wind-driven wildfire. Five team members in Rescue 3 and Rescue 4 were returning from Op #44 in Bishop and were pressed into service. A call went out to the rest of the Team, and several more members responded to assist. Rescue 3 and Rescue 4 were diverted to the Crowley Lake Community Center, and Rescue 2 towing the Polaris Ranger assisted with evacuation notifications north of Crowley.
Team members on Rescue 3 and Rescue 2 were given assignments throughout Crowley, primarily in the mobile home and RV park, going door to door to advise residents of the evacuation order. Rescue 2 and its associated crew were assigned door-to-door evacuations from McGee Creek north to Long Valley and up toward Convict Lake.
Door-to-door evacuation communication in the Crowley Lake Mobile Home Park
McGee Creek area
The Pack Fire winding down
All three rescue vehicles and their associated team members assisted residents who lacked transportation or other resources to evacuate. When the onset of precipitation slowed the fire’s spread all teams were released at 1530 hours.
The operation was terminated at 1600 hours.
IC: Rhoads Ops: Haugh Responders: Anderson, Arndt, Brownlee, Gerber, Glessner, Haugh, Kaufman, Lipman, Quiring
November 13, 2025 25-669 #44
Mutual Aid Request from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office
At 0500 hours five MOSAR team members responded to the Inyo County Search & Rescue Posse Hut in Bishop. Around mid-morning, with the onset of a large winter storm, the operation was postponed for safety reasons. For more information or updates, please visit https://www.inyocounty.us/services/sheriff.
IC: Rhoads Ops: Haugh Responders: Quiring, Kaufman, Gerber, Wilson
November 9, 2025 25-654 #43
Climber Ground Fall, Dr. Evil Owens River Gorge (ORG)
At 1255 hours the Team was called to assist a climber who was lowered off the end of their rope approximately 20–25 feet above the ground, resulting in a ground fall on Dr. Evil (5.10a). Rescue base was established at the ORG upper parking lot.
As teams were en route, additional information was obtained including reports that Paradise Fire and Calfire were already on scene. It was also reported that the climber fell onto the belayer, resulting in injuries to both parties but breaking some of the impact of the landing.
As the Team arrived on scene, all fire units were already assisting parties involved back to the rim of the Gorge. Rescue operations had members construct a raising system from the trucks, and all members were placed on standby pending any further assistance needed.
Both subjects and all fire personnel exited the field without incident, and the Team was released.
The operation was terminated at 1442 hours.
IC: Salazar Acting Ops: Salay Responders: Anderson, Arndt, Blackman, Brownlee, Carlson, Case, Gerber, Huizingh, Kaufman, Patterson, Salay, Wallace