August 17, 2019 19-393 #37
At 2223 hours on Saturday, August 17, the team was called for two 18-year-old overdue hikers who had intended to summit Mt. Conness. They had called in at approximately 1400 hours and reported that they were near the summit at that time. They had expected to be back by 1800, 1900 at the latest, but by their stated return time there had been no further contact. As the Team began response, the overdue hikers showed up at the trailhead in good condition, having taken a while longer to complete their trek than expected.
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Beck. Responders: Evans, Fernandez, Wallace, Kaufman, Creager, Dunne, Torrence
The Team volunteered 13 person hours for this call.
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
August 16, 2019 19-390 #36
On Friday, August 16 at 1638 hours, the Team received a report of a missing 9-year-old girl, last seen near Badger Lake. The Team prepared to send field teams out from Agnew Meadows and Rush Creek, but shortly thereafter there were reports from the trail that the girl had been located near the dam on Gem Lake, a considerable distance from her place last seen (PLS). CHP H 40 was able to land nearby and pick up the girl, and deliver her to the June Mountain Ski Area parking lot. The operation was terminated at 1723 hours.
IC: Pelichowsky. No Ops Leader. Responders: Hartstrom, Wallace, Quiring, Fernandez
The Team volunteered 3 person hours for this call
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
August 14, 2019 19-385 #35
At 1301 hours the Team received a report of a 15-year-old male with a diabetic emergency between Barney Lake and Peeler Lake, above Twin Lakes Bridgeport. The Team responded to the Barney Lake trailhead, and assistance was requested from CHP H40.
CHP H40 was able to respond quickly, and extracted the subject, and delivered him to a waiting medic unit at Mono Village. The subject was transported to Mammoth Hospital for treatment.
Mono Village meadow LZ. Image by M. Quiring
IC: Pelichowsky. Ops Leader: Beck. Responders: L. Hammack, Patterson, Quiring, Buchanan, Wallace, Cucura, Torrence, Dunne, Firer, Evans.
August 13, 2019 19-381 #34
At 1047 hours the Team received a report of a 68-year-old male who had activated an SOS on a satellite device for general malaise, lethargy, and other symptoms of AMS near Agnew Lake. The Team responded to the Rush Creek Trailhead.
Two field teams left the trailhead in anticipation of a litter carryout, but Field Team 1 located the subject and his traveling companion on the trail below Agnew Lake where they were slowly advancing down the trail. Field Team 1 escorted the subject down the trail, meeting with Field Team 2. All field teams and the subject and his companion walked under their own power to the trailhead. A Mono County medic unit transported the subject to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. The operation terminated at 1412 hours.
Enjoying the Rush Creek Trail on a warm afternoon. Image by M. Quiring
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Wallace. Responders: Blackman, Buchanan, Cowan, Creager, Cucura, Evans, Knight, Quiring.
August 12-13, 2019 19-380 #33
At 11:59 hours the Team received a report of an SOS activation from a one-way Spot device (the device could not accept incoming messages) that was registered to an 87-year-old male. None of the emergency numbers provided for the Spot device was answered.
The device indicated that the location was near the shore of Greenstone Lake, just west of Saddlebag Lake. The Mono County Sheriff’s Office provided a boat and a deputy to pilot, and transported the field teams across Saddlebag Lake.
On the boat ride across Saddlebag Lake inbound to our subject. Image by B. Beck
The subject was located, and his wife reported that he had suffered seizures, and the subject complained of muscle cramping. The subject was assessed, and transported to the shore of Saddlebag Lake via wheeled litter, and then by Sheriff’s Office boat to the Saddlebag Lake Resort, where he was transferred to the care of Mono County Medics. The medics transported the subject to Mammoth Hospital. The operation terminated at 0505 hours.
Rolling the litter down the dark and quiet trail back to the lake and the return boat ride. Image by B. Beck
Team debrief after the medics accepted responsibility for our subject. Image by B. Beck
IC: Pelichowsky. Ops Leader: Beck, Torrence. Responders: Carlson, Creager, Evans, Kallemeyn, Mulligan, Quiring, and Wallace.
August 11, 2019 19-375 #32
Lower Leg Injury Near Cascade Lake
At 0145 hours, the Team received a report of a 37-year-old male with a lower leg injury near Cascade Lake. The Team responded to Saddlebag Lake, and from there hiked in with the wheeled litter to Cascade Lake.
The subject was assessed, packaged in the litter, and transported back to Saddlebag Lake via wheeled litter. The operation terminated at 0829 hours.
Transportation across Saddlebag Lake provided by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office boat. Image by M. Quiring
IC: Pelichowsky. Ops Leader: L. Hammack Responders: Pavlovsky, Quiring, Kaufman, Evans, Case
August 10, 2019 19-371 #31
Hiker Fainted Near Minaret Falls.
At 1736 hours the Team received a report of a 28-year-old male who had fainted on the John Muir Trail near Minaret Falls. The location was about 2 miles from the ranger station at Devils Postpile National Park.
Two field teams composed of 11 team members responded to the subject location with medical gear and the wheeled litter. The subject was assessed, and there were indications of possible Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) as well as possible High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
The subject was packaged in the wheeled litter and transported to the ranger station at Devils Postpile, and then the subject was transferred to the care of Mono County Medic 3. Medic 3 transported the subject to Mammoth Hospital. The operation terminated at 2035 hours.
A creek crossing on the litter carryout. Image by M. Quiring
On the trail outbound. Image by J. Bush
Image by J. Bush
Image by J. Bush
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Beck. Responders: Zila, Mulligan, Anderson, Bush, Torrence, Kaufman, Quiring, Fernandez, Frolio, Cucura, Hartstrom, Evans, Pavlovsky, Bush.
August 10, 2019 19-370 #30
Open Tib-Fib Fracture at the Dreamers
At 1517 hours the Team received a report of a 49-year-old male climber with an open fracture at the Dreamers bouldering area near Sherwin Summit. In addition to MOSAR, Long Valley Fire and Medic 3 also responded, and due to their proximity arrived on the accident scene first.
The subject was assessed, splinted, packaged in the wheeled litter, and transported a short distance to the medic unit, and was then transported to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. The operation was terminated at 1720 hours.
IC: Pelichowsky. Ops Leader: Beck. Responders: Pavlovsky, Bush, Quiring, Frolio, Fernandez, Zila, Evans
The short transport from the Dreamers to the parking area and the waiting medic unit. Image by J. Bush
Image by J. Bush
August 8, 2019 19-369 #29
At 1416 hours the Team received a report of a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation in Little Slide Canyon. The Team responded to the trailhead at Mono Village, and field teams hiked toward the location. Prior to the arrival of the field teams, CHP H40 was able to extract the subject. The operation was terminated at 2046 hours.
Hiking on the use trail in Little Slide Canyon. Image by M. Quiring
On the use trail. Image by J. Wallace
Image by J. Wallace
IC: Ops Leader: L. Hammack Responders: Cowan, Cucura, Fernandez, Hartstrom, Kaufman, Thompson, Wallace.
August 7, 2019 19-364 #28
On August 6, 2019, at approximately 10:43 pm, the Team received a report of a 60-year-old male hiker with an injured leg near Barney Lake. The Team waited for first light, and then field teams hiked in from Mono Village with a wheeled litter.
Prior to the arrival of the field teams, CHP H40 was able to extract the subject.
Mono Village meadow LZ. Image by M. Quiring
IC: Ops Leader: Hammack, L. Responders: Buchanan, Cowan, Cucura, Evans, Fernandez, Hartstrom, Kaufman, Patterson, Quiring, Thompson, Wallace.
August 3, 2019 19-358 #27
Madera County requested assistance with recovering the remains of a male hiker who had fallen down a snowfield near Iceberg Lake, at the toe of the Minarets. His fall was arrested by rocks, and was unfortunately fatal.
CHP H40 transported a 2-member field team to the location, and the field team packaged the remains, lowered the package to a suitable LZ, and the remains were flown out. CHP H40 returned to extract the field team.
IC: Pelichowsky. No Ops Leader. Responders: Hammack, L, Kaufman, Thompson, Endo.
July 27, 2019 19-340 #26
At 2129 hours the Team received a report of a 20-year-old female who was dehydrated and having seizures near Waugh Lake. Two field teams responded to the Rush Creek Trailhead to hike in to render assistance.
The Seahawk helicopter from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.used just previously in the evening was re-tasked to Waugh Lake, and arrived prior to the ground team. The Seahwak was able to extract the subject and fly her to Mammoth-Yosemite Airport; from there Mono County Medics transported her to Mammoth Hospital, and then she was transferred to Renown in Reno, NV. The operation was terminated at 0102 hours on July 28.
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Wallace. Responders: Kaufman, Quiring, Hodges, Godshalk, Guffey, Dunne, Blackman.
July 27, 2019 19-338 #25
Rock Climber Injured on the 3rd Pillar of Dana, America’s Best 5.9 Route
At 1231 hours the Team was called for a reported climber with back, ankle, and pelvic injuries on the third pitch of the 5-pitch 3rd Pillar of Dana. The reporting party called in on a mobile phone and stated that the injured party had taken a lead fall of 25-35 feet, and had impacted a ledge.
Rescue base was established at the Lee Vining airport. There were no air resources immediately available, so 7 field teams drove to the trailhead at Tioga Lake and began the steep hike to the summit. The route that the climber fell off of is approximately 700’ tall, and the reported location of the injured party was on the third pitch, so it was anticipated that two 600’ ropes would be indicated.
Building the 5:1 mechanical advantage. Image by B. Beck
As the field teams arrived on the summit, rope systems were constructed to lower the litter attendant and litter down to the subject, and then to raise both back to the summit. Upon arrival at the subject’s location, a medical assessment was performed, and the subject was found to be stable, but unable to lie on his back.
Manning the belay before conversion to twin-tension system. Image by B. Beck
The mechanical advantage system ready for raise. Image by J. Bush
For the raise, the Team had initially constructed a mechanical advantage of 5:1, but the haul team was struggling to raise the rescuer and subject, and the mechanical advantage was modified to a 7:1. The raise was approximately 300’, and the subject shortly arrived at the summit with the litter attendant.
The litter attendants view back to the summit from the subject location. Image by N. Endo
The litter attendant and subject nearing the summit. Image by B. Beck
The litter was carried approximately 1/4 mile through rough, boulder-strewn terrain to await the arrival of the air transport. A Seahawk (Sikorsky UH60 variant) arrived from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The subject was transported to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center. The operation was terminated at 2120 hours.
Transporting the subject away from the edge to the helo pickup area. Image by J. Bush
The China Lake Seahawk looking for a spot to set down. Image by B. Beck
Helo extraction complete, packing up the gear for the hike out. Image by N. Endo
IC: Minder. Ops Leader: Beck/Buchanan/Wallace. Responders: Bush, Creager, Endo, Godshalk, Hammack, Hansen, Haugh, Hodges, Kaufman, Lambert, Padilla, Pavlovsky, Thompson
The Team volunteered 141.1 hours for this call
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 26, 2019 19-332 #24
Mountain Biker Lower Leg Injury Mammoth Rock Trail
At 1501 hours the Team was called for a reported 56 year old male mountain biker with an injured ankle on the Mammoth Rock Trail. Three field teams responded, two from the lower trailhead and one from the upper trailhead.
The subject was treated, packaged into the litter, and transported via wheeled litter to the upper trailhead along Old Mammoth Road. The subject was transferred to the care of the Mono County medics, and was then transported to Mammoth Hospital. The operation was terminated at 1658 hours.
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Bush. Responders: Kaufman, Quiring, Buchanan, Patterson, Zila, French, Senior, Cucura, Thompson, Haugh, Blackman, Anderson, Guffey
The Team volunteered 27.3 person hours for this call
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 23, 2019 19-323 #23
Ill Hiker on the Rush Creek Trail
At 1741 hours the Team was called for a 68 year-old female hiker with reported altitude sickness on the Rush Creek Trail. She was approximately 1.5 miles from the Rush Creek Trailhead.
4 field teams departed the trailhead at 1830. The field teams encountered the subject about a half-mile from the trailhead and she was assessed, treated, and transported to the trailhead. The subject was transferred to the care of Mono County Medic Unit 2, and transported to Mammoth Hospital for further treatment. The operation was terminated at 2103 hours.
On the Rush Creek Trail
IC: Hansen. Ops Leader: Bush. Responders: Beck, Pavlovsky, Senior, Quiring, Kaufman, Wallace, Buchanan, Mulligan, Firer, Hodges, Godshalk, Anderson, Endo, and Patterson.
The Team volunteered 50.5 person hours on this call
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 21-22, 2019 19-319, OES #3943 #22
At 1855 hours the Team was called for a 21 year-old female hiker complaining of anemia and sciatica, approximately 11 miles from the Rush Creek trailhead near Donohue Pass. A field team of 4 rescue members began hiking in at 2030 hours.
The field team preparing for a late-evening departure. Image by B. Beck
The field team on the trail. Image by B. Beck
At 0200 hours on July 22, a Blackhawk helicopter and a night vision gear (NVG) qualified crew located the subject.
A crewman was lowered to the subject, who was evaluated, and then the crewman and subject were hoisted into the Blackhawk. The subject was transported to Mammoth-Yosemite Airport, and Mono County Medic 3 crew briefly treated the subject who refused transport to Mammoth Hospital.
The field team continued to the pick-up location, and located the subject’s hiking partner at approximately 0300 hours. The field team briefly set up camp and slept, and then escorted the subject’s hiking partner to the trailhead, arriving at approximately 1300 hours.
On the return hike. Image by J. Bush
Stream crossing. Image by J. Bush
IC: Hansen, Minder. Ops Leaders: Beck, Torrence. Responders: Buchanan, Wallace, Bush, Quiring
The Team volunteered 111.5 person hours for this call
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 17, 2019 19-311 #21
Overdue Party of 4, Lower Rock Creek Trail
At 1828 hours the Team was called for an overdue party of 4 mountain bikers who departed Tom’s Place with the intent of descending the Lower Rock Creek Mountain Bike Trail. The party had been dropped several hours earlier, but had not arrived at the terminus.
Team 1 was assigned to ascend the trail from the bottom terminus, and quickly located two of the riders, and then the other two shortly thereafter. The riders were escorted out; there were no injuries. The operation was terminated at 2103 hours.
IC: Hansen (Belcher) Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Wallace, Mulligan, Bush, Senior, Kaufman, Quiring, Zila, Haugh, Cowan, Torrence, Hennes, and Kallemeyn
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 15, 2019 19-302 #20 OES 3594
Inyo County Mutual Aid for missing camper in the Grandview Campground
IC: Hansen. Responders: Bush, Wallace
July 13-14, 2019 19-305 #19
Injured Hiker, Little Slide Canyon
At 2351 hours the Team was called for a report of a 28 year-old female hiker from the Bay Area who had fallen down a steep snow-filled gully in the vicinity of the Incredible Hulk and had slid out of sight of her hiking partner.
The pair between them had one pair of crampons and one pair of snow traction devices, and they split the gear so that each had a crampon on one foot, and a traction device on the other. They then attempted to cross a steep snowfield above several steep snow-filled gullies, and the subject slipped and slid/tumbled down the gully out of sight of the reporting party (RP).
The RP hailed her partner several times, and no response was received. She realized she was not equipped to safely descend the gully to attempt to locate her friend, and with no mobile phone service available, immediately set out for help.
The RP hiked out approximately 2 hours to Mono Village and from there called 911 via landline for assistance. The Team responded to the Barney Lake Trailhead, just outside of the Mono Village resort.
Three field teams comprised of nine rescuers left rescue base at approximately 1230 hours (technically now Sunday, July 14) and the RP accompanied the field teams to guide them to the PLS (Place Last Seen). Navigating in the dark by headlamp, the field teams arrived at the PLS in approximately 2.5 hours.
Hiking the Barney Lake Trail enroute to the subject
Searching for the subject on the steep snowfields via roped belay. Image by B. Beck
The subject was quickly located, but was found to be in critical condition with traumatic head injuries, numerous broken bones, hypothermia, and likely internal damage. The subject was non-responsive throughout.
Treating subject while awaiting air extraction. Image by B. Beck
Prior to leaving rescue base, the field teams had requested air resources, due to extremely difficult travel conditions between the Barney Lake Trail and the base of the Incredible Hulk. CHP H40 stated that they would begin flight preparations and preflight at 0430, and would be on station by 0600.
CHP H40 arriving with the Bowman Bag for subject extraction. Image by B. Beck
The subject was treated and packaged, and her condition continued to deteriorate. The filed teams initiated rescue breathing to maintain vitals. CHP H40 arrived overhead at approximately 0700, assessed the situation, and departed to drop excess gear. At 0740 CHP H40 lowered the bowman bag, and the titanium frame litter was loaded into the bag, and H40 raised the package.
Packing up for the hike out. Image by B. Beck
Heading out. Image by B. Beck
Gathering the tag line for CHP H40. Image by B. Beck
CHP H40 then flew the subject directly to Bridgeport Airport, and the subject was transferred to Careflight and flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.
The field teams packed their gear, and hiked back to rescue base, arriving at approximately 0930, for a total of about 9 hours in the field. As this is written, our subject remains in critical condition (Update: the subject made an amazing and complete recovery). The operation was terminated at 0940 hours.
IC: Hansen (Belcher) Ops Leaders: Beck/Wallace Responders: L. Hammack, Creager, Evans, Knight, Kaufman, Quiring, Patterson, T. Hansen.
On-Scene Coordinator: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue
July 12, 2019 19-302 #18 OES 3594
Mutual aid to Inyo County for a missing hiker from the Grandview Campground.
Searching the back roads near Grandview Campground. Image by J. Wallace
IC: Minder. Team Leader: Wallace. Responders: Kaufman, Bush, Buchanan, Patterson, Quiring, Case