August 22-23 26-434 #43

Stranded Climber in the Mendenhall Couloir (Northeast Gully of Laurel Mountain)

Operation initiated at 1318 hours on August 22. Update in progress. Operation terminated at 0434 hours on August 23.

Hiking toward the summit after helicopter insertion at the saddle. Image by M. Quiring

Looking down the Mendenhall Couloir toward Convict Lake. Image by J. Lipman

Descending the Mendenhall toward the subject. Image by J. Lipman

The subject location on the side of the couloir. Image by J. Lipman

Strategizing the subject retrieval. Image by M. Quiring

Building a belay for the 600’ line. Image by M. Quiring

Long after nightfall, assisting our subject to easier terrain. Image by J. Lipman

Turning into a long, late night. Image by J. Lipman

Made it back to easier ground. Image by J. Lipman

Making progress toward the summit. Image by M. Quiring

On the summit ridge, preparing to descend to the Laurel Lakes Road. Image by J. Lipman

Looking toward Mammoth Lakes on the descent. Image by L.
Wojciechowski

IC: Rhoads Ops Leader: Bush Responders: Ackerman, Anderson, Barker, Beck, Blackman, Knight, Lipman, Quiring, Salay, C. Thompson, M. Thompson, Wallace, Wojciechowski

171.7 person hours volunteered

On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue