January 1, 2013

RMRU write-up of rescue is here.

On New Year’s eve RMRU was called out to search for a hiker missing overnight in rain and snow storm east of Toro Peak in the area of Horsethief Creek.  Two field teams (Les Walker, Ralph Hoetger, Lee Arnson, and Helene Lohr) spent most the night out in difficult conditions searching for the lost man.  About 10 p.m. a CHP helicopter spotted the hiker, but could not effect a rescue.

Alan Lovegreen and I got the nod to do the helicopter rescue the next day with Riverside Sheriff’s Office.  We met at Hemet-Ryan Airfield at 0730 to hook up with veteran pilot Tony Bowen and TFO Eric Hannum.  On the initial flyover Tony spotted a place to land, and Alan did the honors of retrieving the hiker.  Under sixty minutes from take off to landing back at the airfield, and I never even had to unbuckle!

You can check out other rescue-oriented videos on my youtube channel.