January 7th, 2015
San Jacinto Mountains, CA

Missing hiker search and helicopter rescue.

Got a text at 2 a.m. about a search out of the Palm Springs Tram – report time 6 a.m. A tram search this time of year means a lot of snow, carrying crampons, ice axe, snowshoes, etc. Lots of gear.

Four of us were there at 6 a.m. with more on the way. I got sent out with Matt Jordan as Team 1 to search Round Valley and Tamarack. A full write up of the mission can be read at the RMRU website.

After several hours Star 93 spotted him from the air and reported he was standing but unresponsive, so I was chosen to be hoisted in due to my medical background, but he was fine when I got there. Quick, easy hoist. I wish I would have continued to watch him as he was hoisted – would have made better video – but I was intent on finding the stuff sack for the Screamer Suit that took off in the wind.

If you look carefully near the beginning of the video you can see the TFO stuff a pair of cable cutters under the front seat and me wag my finger at him saying “Don’t you dare use those when I’m on the cable!” That got a smile from him.

A pretty straight forward helicopter rescue, but my first in several years.  Six hours after parking at the lower tram station we were back at our vehicles.