October 7, 2025 25-601 25-40

Hikers Stranded at Burro Lake Pass

At 1319 hours the Team was called to assist two hikers cliffed out on an icy ridge due west of Burro Lake Pass at an approximate elevation of 11,340 feet. Rescue base was established at Big Valley Lake, aka Big Virginia Lake. Operations requested air resources, and CHP Central Division Air Operations Helicopter H-42 out of Fresno accepted the mission.

H-42 and the Team arrived shortly after rescue base was established, and team members closed the trail to assist CHP in landing. The flight crew shared photos from their recon flight on the approach, greatly assisting in mission planning. Initial photos showed one individual atop the ridge due west of Burro Lake Pass and another approximately 100 feet down a snow-filled couloir perched on a small stomped ledge, with another 800 feet of relief beneath them.

Due to the steep, complex, and consequential terrain, operations planned for a technical rescue/pickoff approach. Two members were assigned to an initial hoist-access mission. Two additional two-person teams were assigned to the helicopter detail to be flown into a location below the subjects. Technical equipment was prepared, including multiple low-stretch lines, a rack of rock protection, a sound victim harness, the cordless hammer drill, and other ancillary rigging gear for anchor construction, raising and lowering systems, and edge protection.

Team 1 lifted off and prepared for a hoist insertion to the ridgeline above the subjects. Another reconnaisance flight was completed with Team 1, and it was determined that the helicopter could safely set down at Burro Lake Pass, allowing rescuers easier access to the subjects’ location. Teams 2 and 3 were reassigned to be flown to Burro Lake Pass. Team 1 approached the subjects’ location and made verbal contact. Subject 1, who was isolated from his partner below, was determined not to be stuck. Team 1 coordinated with H-42 to fly subject 1 out of the field after they dropped off Team 2.

Team 1 began executing the rigging plan. They determined the rock quality to be poor and Subject 2’s position to be dire, necessitating drilling and the use of Petzl removable bolt anchors. A two-tension system was constructed as Team 2 approached, with one member assigned as the patient attendant and the other as the edge attendant. When on-scene, Team 2 also initiated the Team’s mobile Starlink Mini, allowing instant communication with base.

A member from Team 1 acted as rigging lead just as Team 3 was delivered. The attendant was lowered to the subject, tying off a precarious and large rock on the way down. Subject 2 was placed into a sound victim harness, a team jacket, and a helmet. Team 3 arrived on scene during the lower and began rigging the system for a raise. Subject 2 was hauled up the couloir to the pass.

Once at the top, subject 2 was given food and water and then short-roped through consequential terrain by various team members to the awaiting helicopter. After significant exposure to the elements, Mono County Paramedics were requested to meet the arriving helicopter and subject. Both subjects declined further medical treatment, and rescue site was demobilized. The field teams were transported two at a time by H-42 to base.

The operation was terminated at 1913 hours.

IC: Rhoads Ops: Haugh Responders: Anderson, Bush, Gerber, Glessner, Beck, Huizingh, Lipman, Quiring, Salay, Senior, Tardy, Torrence

On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue