September 11–12, 2026, 26-468 Op #46

Ill Hiker at Valentine Lake — Friday–Saturday, September 11–12, 2026, 26-468 Op #46

On Friday, September 11th, at 2104 hours, the Team was paged by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a report of an ill hiker at Valentine Lake. It was reported that the hiker may be unable to continue down the trail unassisted after experiencing AMS, or acute mountain sickness. Rescue Base was established at the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead.

Rescue Operations deployed a team of four, Team 1, in Ranger 2 to take the 4WD road adjacent to and southeast of the Valentine Lake Trail, travel high, and traverse over to the subject. Although the subject was instructed to remain in place, the subject and their partner began traveling down the Valentine Lake Trail at 2245 hours toward their vehicle at the trailhead.

Team 1 was notified at 2308 hours, and the decision was made to split the team, with two members returning to Ranger 2 and two, now designated Team 2, continuing to intercept the subjects on the trail. The hiking party was met at 2347 hours, where the subject was assessed and administered electrolytes. The subject was comfortable continuing down the trail with the assistance of SAR.

Operations requested @mcems Medic 3 to further assess the subject at the trailhead. The subject declined further medical treatment or transport, and the operation was terminated at 0130 hours on September 12th.

IC: Rhoads // Responders (6): Haugh (Ops), Huizingh, Knight, Salay (Ops), Wallace, Wojciechowski

Volunteer hours: 26.6