March 3, 2018, 18-91, #3

On Saturday morning March 3 at approximately 1015, Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol was performing routine avalanche mitigation work in a closed area when a large avalanche released on the Climax ski run, and traveled down Upper Dry Creek and terminated at the bottom lift terminal of High Five Express [Chair 5]. 

The powder cloud from the avalanche extended about 100 meters into an area open to the public, where two guests were partially buried. Both were able to immediately free themselves without serious injury.  Additionally, employees working at the bottom of the closed lift were partially caught, but freed themselves quickly. Ski Patrol was on scene with initial rescue efforts within moments, and search operations began immediately.

Ski Patrol led a six-hour search, which included 200 employees and first responders, including the Mono County Sheriff SAR Team that was called out at 1030.  Fifteen Team members responded to probe and beacon-scan the avalanche debris in search of any buried victims.  None were found and the Mountain returned to normal operations the next day. 

Responders:  Beck (Ops), Pelichowsky (IC), Hansen (IC), Carole Schilz, Kaufman, Buchanan, Brad Schilz, Bush, Traxler, Barnum, Vianzon, Woods, Cucura, Cowan, Case, Kallemeyn, Tonseth, and Bucklin.  The Team volunteered 130 man hours for this call. 

January 14 & 15, 2018, 18-30, #2

At 2357 on Sunday January 14, the Mono County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was called out for rescue of a 20 year old man from Hayward, CA, who was reported overdue from a climb of White Mountain Peak. 

He and the companion RP departed from Black Eagle Camp, but the RP turned back short of the summit, and later reported to 911 that the subject had communicated via cell phone that he had slipped and fallen 15 feet and was unable to hike down to his car. 

The Team responded with five rescuers, 3 rescue trucks, and a Polaris Ranger ATV.  By the time the Polaris crew reached the subject’s car, he had managed to hike down unassisted, though painfully.  He was followed down to Base, where he refused medical assistance.  Due to the remote location, Team vehicles logged a total of 550 miles. 

Responders were: Beck (Ops), Pelichowski (IC), Torrence, Case, Luke Hammack, and Wallace.  The Team volunteered 46 man hours for this call. 

January 1, 2018, 18-3, #1

At 12:15 PM the Mono County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was called out for rescue of an injured ice climber.  A 64 year old Mono County man fell about 40 feet while climbing ice at Chouinard Falls in Lee Vining Canyon (37.94113, -119.22550). 

Five SAR team members hiked down from the green bridge on the Hwy 120 Tioga Pass road, while two more were lowered from CHP helicopter H40.  The subject was placed in a litter and carried to a location where a helicopter hoist was done by CHP helicopter H40.  He was transferred to Care Flight at Lee Vining airport, and flown to Reno for treatment. 

Responders were:  Beck (Ops), Pelichowski (IC), Kaufman, Bush, Guffey, Greene, Creager, Thompson, Torrence, and Traxler.  The Team volunteered 56 man hours for this call.