Stranded Hiker Below Donohue Pass. On Monday, May 12th at 1358 hours the Team was called for a lost PCT hiker in the vicinity of Donohue Pass via a 911 call. The 50-year-old male reported that he was on the PCT and had been navigating by alternating between traveling with other parties and following the footsteps of other parties ahead of him in the snow.

When he called 911, the subject was approximately 1.5 trail miles from the pass at an elevation of 10,700 feet. He was traveling alone and had lost track of the footprints in the snow ahead of him. The subject reported having minimal overnight or cold-weather gear and no topographic map.

He was advised by the SAR Coordinator to shelter in place while the team mounted a rescue. Rescue base was established at the Rush Creek Trailhead. Aiming to beat the worst of the incoming winter storm, Rescue Operations deployed a team of four on foot up the Rush Creek Trail with overnight and medical equipment.

Overlooking Agnew Lake from the Rush Creek Trail

This effort was supported by two additional team members who shuttled gear up the trail for the overnight team. Air resources were unavailable due to a combination of high winds, darkness, and intermittent snow.

First view of Gem Lake from the Rush Creek Trail

Looking back at Agnew Lake from near Gem Lake

The team of four split early on into two teams and continued their trek toward the subject through mixed terrain, high-flow water crossings, adverse weather, and rotten snow. Team 1A reached the subject at 2255 hours and assisted him in packing up camp and beginning a retreat from the backcountry.

Team 1A reunited with Team 1B at Waugh Lake and the team members and subject slept for a few hours before resuming their exit at sunrise. At dawn, two additional field teams were dispatched from the trailhead to meet the outgoing crew and provide assistance with their heavy overnight packs.

All exited the backcountry without further incident, and the operation was terminated at 1044 on Tuesday, May 13th.