The following accounts of field operations are derived from a team scrapbook put together by Nickie Leyen, are NOT official reports, and may have errors and omissions. For missing months, we have no information. There are most likely many operations that are not listed for lack of information.
1988 Team
As of September 1988, the 1988 team consisted of Rescue Members: Doug Magee, Russ Veenker, Igor Vorobyoff, Pete Schoerner, Larry Ford (Dive Chief), Joel Axelrad, Steve Boes, Dave Carle, Jan Carle, Doug Nidever, Sharon Nidever, Greg Enright, Bob Crittenden, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther, Brooke Roberts, Judy Burgenbauch, Marty Burgenbauch, Craig Schrager, Dave Campos, Leigh Molson, Dave Herbst, Gray Alexander, Kathy Steiner; Candidates: Peter Fisher, John Clark, Rafael Sanchez, Sheila Haggerty, Chris Mokracek, Karen Alexander, Marty Harbeson, Mary Arrigo, George Stone; Support Members: Stu Aldrich, Gary Williams, Rich Scholl, Lee Vorobyoff; Lifetime Members: Jim Collins, Harley Wilmot, Rick Moser, John Ellsworth
January
January 11, 1988 Crestview area, head on collision - Veenker used the South County rescue van to transport two bodies to Mono 2. Responders were: Veenker, Doug Nidever, Pete Schoerner, Joel Axelrad, Brooke Roberts, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther, ??
From Review-Herald newspaper report by Dave Roknic:
Tragic remains: Rescue workers struggle to extricate the victims of Monday's head on collision on U.S. 395 during white-out conditions
Head on collision claims two lives - Two people are dead, including Mono Lake Committee founder David Gaines, after a head on collision Monday morning on U.S. 395 just south of Crestview.
Gaines' daughter, Vireo, 5, floated in and out of stable condition Wednesday at Washoe Medical Center in Reno with a fractured skull and severe facial injuries. The five-year-old remained in intensive care at press time.
Also killed was Don Oberlin, 28, of Lee Vining.
Sally Gaines, 35, who was injured in the accident, was treated for a wrist injury at Centinela Mammoth Hospital and released Tuesday morning. According to a Mono Lake Committee spokeswoman, Sally Gaines was then driven by a friend to Reno to be with Vireo.
The Gaines' two-year-old son Sage suffered no injuries, and is now with his mother, the spokeswoman said.
According to California Highway Patrol spokesman Ray Ripley, Monday's accident occurred between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Blowing snow had caused whiteout conditions with zero visibility in the Crestview area just south of the southern grade of Deadman Summit. The area is about midway between Mammoth and June Lake.
Ripley said current indications are that a southbound vehicle driven by Jim Gidney, 29, of June Lake entered the zero visibility area and encountered a slow-moving southbound vehicle driven by George Cipovp, 50, of Winona, Minn.
Gidney's GMC pickup then moved to the left to avoid Cipopv's Oldsmobile, but the truck struck the left side of the car's rear, then continued to the left and struck the Gaines's Toyota Tercel head on, Ripley explained.
Neither Gidney nor Cipovp suffered injuries. Extrication of the victims and cleanup of the accident delayed traffic for almost an hour in both directions, according to witnesses.
The accident is still under investigation, and no cause has been determined, Ripley said.
Mono Lake Committee Eastern Sierra spokeswoman Ilene Mandelbaum said Oberlin was a dedicated committee member who was assistant information coordinator, and a dedicated proponent of world environmental consciousness and world peace.
Gaines, 40, formed the now-international Mono Lake Committee in 1978, and he and his family have been Lee Vining residents since then. Until Vireo Gaines' condition improves, funeral services will not be scheduled, committee members said Tuesday.
Mandelbaum said Oberlin and the Gaines family were returning from a Sierra Nevada Alliance for Peace meeting which had been held Sunday in Bishop.
"We're all still in shock," Mandelbaum said at Mono Lake Committee headquarters in Lee Vining Tuesday.
"We're still in shock," said the committee's Eastern Sierra representative Ilene Mandelbaum on Tuesday of Gaines' unexpected death in a car accident just 30 hours before. "We've lost a dear friend and mentor. And the lake has lost its most eloquent and passionate champion."Although he was dedicated and driven to achieving goals, his manner was modest and his demeanor soft-spoken. Wearing the ever-present bandana around his head, Gaines was at home carrying a picket sign at a peace march, observing the wild birds he loved to study in the brush, or debating the fate of Mono Lake with a silk-suited representative of the city of Los Angeles.
In Lee Vining Tuesday, Mono Lake Committee members quietly fielded phone calls and did what they could to help themselves and the families hit by Monday's accident get through the shock of it.
Returning to Lee Vining from a peace alliance meeting in Bishop, the Gaines' Toyota had been involved in a head-on collision early Monday morning. Dead were David Gaines and fellow committee member Don Oberlin. Sally Gaines suffered a wrist injury and their five-year-old daughter, Vireo, received major head injuries. Somehow, two-year-old Sage Gaines made it through without a scratch.
David Gaines was born Dec. 30, 1947, in Los Angeles. He had just celebrated his 40th birthday. Through the years he had visited the Sierra, but it was 1976 when Gaines discovered the plight of Mono Lake which is slowly being destroyed by water diversions to Los Angeles.
On a biological field trip jointly sponsored by Stanford University and the University of California at Davis, Gaines discovered the real threat to the lake.
According to Mandelbaum, he spent the next two years touring California, lecturing about the threatened lake and trying to raise peoples' consciousness about it.
In 1978, Gaines formed the Mono Lake Committee and filed the first lawsuit against Los Angeles Department of Water and Power over the lake's future. The committee celebrates its 10th anniversary next month.
What started as a tiny group of dedicated volunteers, now has an international membership of more than 11,000.
According to Mandelbaum, Gaines held a bachelor's degree from UC/Santa Cruz and a master's degree in ecology from UC/Davis. He was founder and chairman of the board of the Mono Lake Committee, publisher of his own Artemesia Press, a respected ornithologist, an accomplished mandolin player, a classical music lover and a devoted father.
In recent years, Gaines had actually given up some of his committee responsibilities to devote time to his family, Mandelbaum said.
Mono Lake Committee Executive Director Martha Davis said Gaines saw the world as a place that could exist in harmony. The Mono Lake Committee was one small way of working toward that belief.
When asked what the committee would or could do without him, Davis responded that his work must be continued. A part of his great contribution is the committee he has established and now left behind.
"He created the organization that could carry on his vision," Davis said, "and that's what we'll do - but we'll miss him very much."
"There are very few people who have left the legacy he has left," said Mono County Supervisor Andrea Lawrence, who has worked closely with Gaines in the past and known him since 1977. "People who live seven lifetimes cannot accomplish what David Gaines has accomplished."
Although David Gaines had already accomplished more than many ever do, plenty of work is left to do. Committee members said Tuesday they have to find the strength to keep at the job.
"He was our inspiration," Mandelbaum said. She asked for people's prayers for the families and thanked those who had expressed their concern.
"Peace with earth," Davis said. "That was his vision, and that's what we hope to achieve for him and with him through the committee."
January 11, 1988 - Training - Ice Training by Doug Nidever and Pete Schoerner
Upon arriving at June Lake Fire station a county wide call-out for an auto accident with major injuries went out and we responded. the location was Hwy 395 just south of the Cal-Trans Crestview Maintenance station.
Veenker used the South County Rescue Van to transport two bodies to Mono 2 while the rest of us returned to June Lake for the training.
It took 1 hour to climb from the power station to the ice fall in the June Lake Loop area.
We all placed ice screws and practiced ice climbing with crampons on 60-80 degree water ice. Doug went over many techniques of ice climbing while Pete set up two top ropes for climbs.
We all did the climbs numerous times sometimes using one tool, no tools, or two tools. Back to cars about four p.m. Participants: Doug Nidever, Pete Schoerner, Joel Axelrad, Brooke Roberts, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther
January 25, 1988 - Training - Ski training at June Mountain by Pete and Cindy Schoerner. Free ski passes were obtained from Candy McCoy thru Steve Boes.
Worked with the basics of down hill skiing with cross country skis. The team was split into two groups, one beginner and one advanced. The telemark turn was also worked on.
At 2:00 p.m. the 13 participants listed as "left column" skied out of bounds at the top west end of the ski area and came out at the Carson Peak Inn. Peter Fisher got separated from the group and ended up near the base of the ski area.
The terrain was steep (30-35 degrees) with trees and varied snow conditions including dry light powder. Training ended at 4:00 p.m.
Participants (all with 3 pins except as noted): (left column) Randy Robinson, John Ellsworth, Doug Nidever, Sharon Nidever, Brooke Roberts, Jan Carle, Larry Ford, Peter Fisher, Dave Herbst, Gary Guenther, Pete Schoerner, Cindy Schoerner, Igor Vorobyoff; (right column) Jim Endo, Nancy Guenther, Kathy Patton, Bill McKinley, Lee Molson, Russ Veenker, Steve Boes (down hill skis), Doug Magee (down hill skis)
February
February 9, 1988 - Training - Snow Cat
At 9:30 a.m. met at Cal-Trans Maintenance Station on Hwy 395 with Mono County Tycol snow cat. We all managed to fit inside and shortly after departing had engine failure due to the coil wire coming loose. After correcting that we headed towards White Wing passing it on the south side. Most of our route followed an existing Forest Service dirt road.
All participants were given an opportunity to drive the cat. A list of things that needed to be taken care of such as a coolant leak and marking gages was made. Two ropes of 70 feet were made up towing three skiers each for approximately five miles. Participants: Pete Schoerner, Igor Vorobyoff, Joel Axelrad, Bob Crittenden, John Ellsworth, Russ Veenker, Doug Magee, John Clark, Gary Guenther and Deputy Randy Hitecel
February 11, 1988 - Training - Helicopter with Lemoore Naval Air Station and Tory and Brent Finily of Yosemite National Park
Lemore Naval Air Station changed the date for the training two times after the original date was agreed upon, the last change being three days prior to the training.
We all met at Big Sand Flat approximately 10 miles east of Hwy 395 on Hwy 120. The weather was excellent with about six inches of snow cover.
The crew included the C.O. of the base and they covered the capabilities of the UH-1N Iroquois "Twin Huey" and the crew capabilities. Also covered were criteria for lift off, hoist capabilities, needed info for landing, and safety precautions.
Next they demonstrated rappelling and litter raising from approximately 200 feet up. After that our group was divided into two teams. With a person in a litter we lifted it into the helicopter while it hovered about five feet off the ground. Training over at 11:45 a.m. Participants: Bob Crittenden, Kathy Patton, Bill McKinley, Nancy Guenther, John Ellsworth, Doug Magee, Pete Schoerner, Jan Carle
March
March 17, 1988 - Training - Transceiver by Michael Benier at Vista Point, San Joaquine Ridge
Met 10:00 a.m. and skied from MMSA Main Lodge to Vista Point. Michael discussed the theory of locating an avalanche victim with a transceiver. He also discussed the pros and cons of the Skadi unit.
Skadi: needs better ear phone, nicad batteries, can't charge in field, very reliable
Orivack: dual frequency, battery operated, good ear phone
We then split into two groups with Pete leading one group and Michael leading the other. Each member of the group was given about six opportunities to locate the transciever buried approximately one foot deep at distances up to 100 feet.
The times for locating the units averaged about 2 minutes 15 seconds. Training concluded about 3:00 p.m. Unit 88115-3 was found to be defective. Units should be partially discharged for the summer. Participants: Kathy Patton, bill McKinley, Kathy Steiner, Pet Schoerner, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther
April
April 9-10, 1988 - Training - Tracking and Search Management Seminar by China Lake Mountain Rescue Group
Topics covered: lecture on tracking theory, tracking class 1-5, types of shoes, using a mirror, tape, and tracking stick, protecting evidence, jump tracking, sign cutting, perimeter cutting, working in 3 man teams, day and night practical tracking problems, lecture on base camp operation, search operation and base camp operation exercise, critique operation.
This training should requalify the June Lake Mountain Rescue Team for another 3 years in Search Management and Tracking for the Ountain Rescue Association. Participants: Igor Vorobyoff, Pete Schoerner, Dave Carle, Joel Axelrad, Greg Enright, Gary Guenther, Judy Burgenbauch, Martin Burgenbauch
May
Although spring has arrived, members of the June Lake Mountain Rescue Team made it out recently for one last day of ice and snow climbing practice recently above Ellery Lake at Tioga Pass. From the left are Gary Guenther (training leader), Craig Schrager, Raphael Sanchez, Leigh Molson and Nancy Guenther - Joel Axelrad photo
May 14, 1988 - Training - Spring Snow Travel by Gary Guenther
Arrived Ellery Bowl about 9:30 a.m. Still enough snow for the training, best place on east side of bowl. Would have been better if we had arrived earlier due to warm temperatures.
All participants practiced ice axe arrest from the sitting, belly down head first, and back down head first position on a 30 degree slope, with the ice axe in both the right hand and the left hand.
Discussed spring snow travel in general including equipment. Demonstrated placing snow flukes, pickets and ballards. Also demonstrated sitting hip belay in the snow.
Training concluded 12:30. Participants: Raphael Sanchez, Joel Axelrad, Craig Schrager, Leigh Molson, Nancy Guenther, Gary Guenther
May 20, 1988 - Training - Navigation by Gary Guenther
Training was held at Gary Guenther home in the evening. Gave short presentation on basic navigation and topo map reading. Demonstrated using taped arrow on compass, putting north/south lines on top, and transferring a bearing from a compass to a topo. Handed out work sheets to all present covering route finding, understanding and reading topo maps, what bearing to use to get from point A to point B, finding your location using two compass bearings, and using a DB measuring stick to find your location in deg, min, and sec.
Peter Fisher left training early expressing dislike in my method of teaching. All the rest of the participants did well and seemed to enjoy the work sheet. Participants: Bob Crittenden, Greg Enright, Ibor Vorobyoff, Sheila Haggerty, Martin Burgenbauch, Judy Burgenbauch, Brooke Roberts, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenter
June
June 13, 1988 - Training - Technical Rock by Doug Nidever
Training was held in June Lake on cliff face on north side of road about 1/2 mile west of ski area. All participants practiced ascending and descending using jumars on a 69 foot wall. Two 'Z' pulley systems were set up for lowering and raising a simulated victim in a litter on the wall. The training was concluded by rappelling off the wall. Excellent training. Participants: John Ellsworth, Larry Ford, Gray Alexander, Karen Alexander, Dave Campos, Martin Burgenbauch, Judy Burgenbauch, Russ Veenker, Jan Carle, Pete Schoerner, Raphael Sanchez, Doug Nidever, Sharon Nidever, Gary Guenther
June ??, 1988 Devil's Postpile area, lost skier
From newspaper report:
Lost skier rescued at Postpile A Long Beach man was found in the Devil's Postpile area Sunday after being lost for more than a day.
According to a Mono County Sheriff's Department press release, Mark Dedola, 25, of Long Beach had been last seen by his brother in the Chair 14 area of Mammoth Mountain about 10:30 a.m. Saturday. But, the pair soon became separated, and Dedola became lost.
He was located by searchers about 8:30 p.m. Sunday in good condition, and transported to Centinela Mammoth Hospital where he was examined and released.
Participants in the search included Mammotn/June Ski Resort personnel, California Highway Patrol and June Lake Mountain Rescue Team.
July
July 23, 1988 - Training - Tracking by Greg Enright
Experienced trackers teamed up with others for step by step tracking and cutting for track. All beginners also tracked alone. Participants: Greg Enright, Larry Ford, Igor Vorobyoff, Gray Alexander, Karen Alexander, Dave Herbst, Raphael Sanchez, Jan Carle
August
August 5, 1988 - Roosevelt Lake, injured/deceased fisherman
From Review-Herald newspaper report by Larry Luther
Man crushed to death climbing at lake near Leavitt Meadow A freak fishing accident Friday at Roosevelt Lake, three miles south of Leavitt Meadow, was responsible for the death of an Anaheim man, according to a Mono County Sheriff's department spokeswoman.
Todd Richard Nunes, 26, died after he lost his balance on a ledge, grabbed a boulder, and dislodged another boulder that fell on top of Nunes and crushed him. Three of Nunes' companions witnessed the accident, which occurred at 3:30 p.m.
One of Nunes' friends, Daniel Lee Inyoung of Chino, traveled more than three miles to the Leavitt Meadows Lodge and called the sheriff's office around 5:13 p.m.
"Mitchell and Henderson (Nunes' other companions) reported that Nunes' condition deteriorated rapidly after Inyoung left to get help," said the sheriff's spokeswoman. The two added that Nunes stopped breathing at 4:50 p.m., and died shortly after, around 5 p.m.
Mono County paramedics responded on horseback to Inyoung's call and arrived at 6:30 p.m. Careflight of Reno and the June Lake Mountain rescue Team arrived around 7 p.m.
August 6, 1988 - Training - Rock by Greg Enright
Canceled due to operation. Participants: Greg Enright, Judy Burgenbauch, Marty Harbeson, Gary Guenther
August 6, 2988 - Silver Lake area, injured climber
From Review-Herald newspaper report by Larry Luther
(continued from August 5) - The June Lake Mountain Rescue Team was also involved in a technical rock rescue Saturday afternoon. According to one rescue team member, Michael Clark, 21, a corrections officer from Glastonberry, Conn., was climbing a mountain above Silver Lake when a small rubble slide occurred. Clark slid about 30 feet, and sustained a minor hip injury. He then fired two warning shots from a small automatic handgun. Erik Hara, 17, of Trona, Calif., responded to the shots and apparently became trapped in loose ground near the mountain's base.
Two units of the June Lake Mountain Rescue Team, one designated to help Clark near the top of the peak, and the other to help Hara, performed a technical rock rescue using rappelling techniques. The teams arrived at 4:50 p.m. and were finished at 10 p.m. Doug Nidever, a member of the base rescue unit, suffered a cut leg and was transported to Centinela Mammoth Hospital
According to June Lake Mountain rescue team member Russ Veenker, Clark was warned repeatedly by another member of his party not to attempt to climb the mountain. He was asked to take a small automatic weapon with him in case he experienced trouble. Participants: Doug Nidever, Russ Veenker, Judy Burgenbauch, Marty Harbeson, Gary Guenther, others ?
August 10, 1988 - Training - Navigation Field by Igor Vorobyoff
Igor Vorobyoff, Brooke Roberts and Gary Guenther went on a pre-training July 24, 1988 to check and re-mark the courses.
On August 10, Igor had 3 courses set up near Walker Lake trailhead. The group divided into pairs and each did one course. Participants: Igor Vorobyoff, Marty Harbeson, Sheila Haggerty, Raphael Sanchez, Leigh Molson, Jan Carle, Dave Herbst
August 13, 1988 - Training - Navigation Field by Igor Vorobyoff
Only Igor, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther and Greg Enright showed up at June Lake so the training was cancelled.
September
Brian Ketcham, employee of the McGee Creek Pack Station, is assisted to safety by a paramedic and members of the June Lake rescue Team Tuesday after falling from a horse and suffering a puncture wound - Joel Axelrad photo
September 6, 1988 - McGee Creek area, injured horseman
Brian Ketcham, employee of the McGee Creek Pack station, fell from his horse and suffered a puncture wound. Paramedics and June Lake Rescue Team responded. Participants: Joel Axelrad, others?
September 10-11, 1988 - Training - MRA Rock Certification/Training at Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu team tested teams from throughout Southern California for search and technical rock. The first day teams searched for two downed aircraft with walk away victims, some who had forgotten they were victims. Teams were hampered by ELT's that didn't work and one of our teams even found three victims that did not admit they were victims but they did let us use their maps.
The 2nd day was spent rescuing 2 subjects that were 300 feet up a loose rock wall. Our team combined forces with the San Dimas Team to extract 2 victims, one on a litter, in very loose rock conditions. The teams attacked the problem from both above and below which made for a crowded ledge when the victims were reached.
Our team learned a lot because of the unique rock and the different solutions to the problem of removing the victims. Participants: Pete Schoerner, Igor Vorobyoff, Lee Vorobyoff, Greg Enright, Bob Crittenden, Joe Axelrad, Gray Alexander, Marty Harbeson, Raphael Sanchez, Doug Nidever.
October
October 9, 1988 - Training - Navigation Field by Igor Vorobyoff
Same as August 10, 1988 training. Participants: Igor Vorobyoff, Sheila Haggerty, Judy Burgenbauch, Martin Burgenbauch, Mary Arrigo, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther
October 18, 1988 - Training - Introductory Candidate Training Part One by Russ Veenker
Topics covered: Our authority to operate SAR in Mono County; Differences between search and rescue; Search management overhead team, simple/complex; Your role in search strategy; SAR in the June Lake Mountain Rescue Team. Participants: Russ Veenker, Igor Vorobyoff, Greg Enright, Mary Arrigo, George Stone, Brooke Roberts, Lee Molson, Marty Harbeson, Jucy Burgenbaugh, Marty Burgenbaugh, Sheila Haggerty, Dave Herbst, Vilis Ozolins, Nancy Guenther, Gary Guenther.
October 25, 1988 - Training - Introductory Candidate Training Part Two by Igor Vorobyoff
Topics covered: Ready Pack; Safety; Call procedures; Radio procedures; Requirements for trainees. Participants: Sheila Haggerty, Leigh Molson, Greg Enright, George Stone, Mary Arrigo, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther, Sharon Nidever, Dave Herbst, Russ Veenker, Igor Vorobyoff, Marty Harbeson, Judy Burgenbaugh, Marty Burgenbaugh, Villas Ozolins, Jill Giles
November
November 12, 1988 - Training - ELT by Gary Guenther
Gray Alexander and Gary Guenther did a pre-training test on November 10, and each were able to locate the transmitter within an hour in the Sherwin Creek Campground area.
Training transmitter was borrowed from the Bishop Civil Air Patrol. The F.A.A. was notified of the training. Guenther hid the transmitter approximately 2 miles west of Hwy 395 up Glass Creek. Both rescue vans worked towards each other on Hwy 395. The south county van had a good reading within an hour from the top of Look Out Mountain but it still took 3 1/2 hours to locate. Part of the problem could be a faulty transciever from the north county cache. All participants had hands on experience. Participants: Joel Axelrad, Dave Herbst, Shelia Haggerty, Gary Guenther, Nancy Guenther, Brooke Roberts, Dennis __, Vilis Ozolins, Greg Enright, Bob Crittenden, Marty Harbeson.
December
John Ellsworth, founding member of the June Lake Mountain Rescue Team, shows off the plaque he received at the team's annual picnic Sunday in recognition of his 20 years service with the volunteer organization.
December 31, 1988 - Fund raiser - Doll House Drawing
The June Lake Mountain Rescue Team is holding a drawing for a Ten room, furnished, handmade, traditional Doll House. $1 per ticket, six tickets for $5 donation. Drawing December 31 (New Year's Eve). Need not be present to win. Tickets available from businesses throughout the county, or from rescue team members. Support Mono County Search & Rescue.
January 1989
January 3, 1989 Inyo Craters area, stranded snowmobiler. Participants: Doug Magee, others
From newspaper report by Janadale Sylve-Wickersham:
Stranded woman survives wintery ordeal After an all-night search Tuesday night involving more than a dozen agencies and rescue teams, a woman was found near the Bald Creek cutoff Wednesday morning apparently in good condition.
Sixty-three-year-old Jean Cunningham was found by search and rescue team officials eighteen hours after she was reported missing by concerned family and friends who said the southern California resident became separated from her snowmobiling party around noon Tuesday in the Inyo Craters area northeast of Crestview.
Three hours later, relatives of the elderly woman contacted the Mono County Sheriff's office through June Lake Mountain Rescue Coordinator Doug Magee, and the intense search and rescue effort began.
A Sheriff's department spokeswoman said that rescue officials, law enforcement officers, local snowmobiling clubs and individual volunteers searched a fifteen-square mile area all night using helicopters, snowmobiles and automobiles, but were unable to locate the missing woman.
According to the spokeswoman, Cunningham found her rescuers when she appeared at the Bald Mountain cutoff this morning north of the Crestview Rest Area. Cunningham had become separated from her party, the spokeswoman said, when her snowmobile "got stuck . . . and [she] was unable to catch up" with her group.
The spokeswoman said Cunningham dug a hole in the snow, covered it with branches, and made a small fire. Though she ran out of firewood, Cunningham had with her a Cutter's survival kit, the spokeswoman said, as well as a "space" blanket and a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps. The spokeswoman said that Cunningham spent the night in her makeshift snow hut and at first light walked to the Bald Mountain Cutoff, where she was picked up by search and rescue officials and confirmed to be in "excellent" condition.
Because so many search and rescue expeditions end in unfortunate circumstances, the Mono County Sheriff's Department offers these survival guidelines for lost or stranded victims: