September 27, 2025 25-584 #37

Injured Backpacker near the Marie Lakes

The Team was called to assist an injured 30-year-old female solo backpacker near the Marie Lakes. The subject reported falling into sharp, steep shale while descending from the Rodgers Peak ridgeline, just inside the Mono County border, and sustaining significant head and facial trauma. She managed to move herself nearly 2 miles down the trail, just below the Marie Lakes, and used a personal Starlink device to send photos of her injuries to a SAR deputy coordinator. Rescue base was established at the Silver Lake Boat Launch. Air resources were requested; however, no aircraft were available to fly until daylight.

A hasty team of two began the long 11-mile approach to the subject with medical gear and the Team’s new backcountry-capable, battery-powered Starlink Mini for its first field deployment. Around 0700 hours CHP helicopter H40 out of Fresno was recontacted and accepted the mission. Team 1 reached the subject at approximately 0830 hours and began assessment and treatment.

H40 arrived overhead at 0900 hours and briefly landed at the June Mountain Ski Area (JMSA) parking lot to offload gear before returning to the rescue coordinates. The helicopter crew was met by team members, and the subject was loaded onboard and flown to JMSA around 0930 hours, where Mono County Paramedics (Medic 2) briefly evaluated her. Given the extent of her injuries, the decision was made to fly the subject with H40 to a Fresno-area hospital. Team 1 then made the 11-mile return on foot, arriving back at rescue base around 1425 hours.

The operation was terminated at 1429 hours.

IC: Belcher, Pelichowski Acting Ops: Quiring Responders: Baron, Gerber, Lipman