June 20-21 2026 26-285 #20

Hiker in Distress on White Mountain, West Ridge Route — Saturday, June 20–21, 2026, 26-285, Op #20

On Saturday, June 20, at 1557 hours, the Team was paged by the Mono County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) regarding a 24-year-old male hiker in distress on the West Ridge of White Mountain. The hiker had become separated from his hiking group and had run out of water on the descent.

It was reported that the subject had begun hiking the West Ridge of White Mountain at 10:00 p.m. the previous evening with a group of three others. While descending, two members of the group took an alternative route down, while the subject and one female member continued descending the ridge. After the subject ran out of water, he stopped hiking while the female hiker continued down the ridge. The subject then called 911 for assistance.

CalTopo map showing the West Ridge route and our access. The terrain is increasingly technical.

Rescue Base was established on White Mountain Ranch Road. Rescue Operations deployed two two-person teams, along with Ranger 1, into the field with water and food. After several hours of navigating increasingly technical terrain, Team 1 reached the subject, assessed his condition, and provided him with water, electrolytes, and food. After allowing the subject time to rest and rehydrate, Team 1 escorted him down the ridge, where they met with Team 2. Both teams continued down the ridge until they were met by Ranger 1 and transported back to Base.

Rescue Base just before field deployment. Photo by C. Ackerman.

The operation was terminated at 0227 hours on Sunday, June 21.

The Team reminds the recreating public to always stay together. One of the leading precursors to a search or rescue incident is when members of a group decide to split up. In addition, it was evident that the group—and this subject in particular—was unprepared for this arduous approach to the county's only 14,000-foot peak. Better preparation, physical fitness, adequate water, and sound judgment would likely have prevented this rescue.

IC: Rhoads // Ops: Bush // Responders (9): Ardnt, Ackerman, Beck, Bush, Haugh, Pavlovsky, Salay, Trainor, Wojciechowski

Volunteer hours: 109.4