Highlights of The Year 2003

Compiled from Newsletters by Webmaster and scrapbook created by Nickie Leyen

The following accounts of field operations are the best efforts of the newsletter editor, are NOT official reports, and may have errors and omissions, for which apologies and regrets are expressed in advance.

2003 Mono SAR Operations Statistics

January

Ops Leaders: Bill Greene, Victor Aguirre, Pete DeGeorge, and Jim Gilbreath have completed the requirements stated in the Team Policies, and were approved as Ops Leaders at the January Team meeting.

Ops Leader Candidates: Tim Rudolph, Paul Zahn, Patrick Byrne, and Jeff Holmquist were approved by the Board for leader training.

The Board elected the following Team officers:
    President - Greg Enright
    Vice President - Pete DeGeorge
    Chief Financial Officer - Jutta Schmidt
    Training Officer - Jeff Holmquist
    Secretary and Equipment Officer to be named later.

The Team is grateful for generous donations received from Richard and Linda Levak, Dave and Suzi Jackson, The Arthur B. Schultz Foundation, and Mammoth Mountain.

January 1-2, 2003. 03-01R. Christopher Gabriel from La Jolla was snowboarding with a friend and got separated. He was last scanned on Chair 14 at 1530. The Team was paged at 2226 and responded to Main Lodge Ski Patrol. A snow cat was available to clear the road to Reds Meadows.

Team 1 of Schmidt and Holmquist were inserted via team snowmobiles at Froggy's corner to search the boundary line near Turkey Gulch. Team 2 of Greene and Knoche searched Hemlock Ridge. Team 1 found a board track going out of bounds as previously reported by ski patrol sweep. They followed the track through deep snow and got voice contact at 0150. They reached the victim in a snowcave at 0230, west of Sotcher Lake. Provided snowshoes for the victim and helped him to the road where all were picked up by snowmobiles and taken to base at 0335. No injuries. Responders were: Gilbreath (Ops), Greene, Hronesh, Holmquist, Schmidt, Rudolph, Knoche, DeGeorge and Zahn.

January 23, 2003 - Advanced Snowmobile/Snowmobile Search Training with Don Little at DJ's (Smoky Bear Flat)

Don Little provided some advanced snowmobile training at DJ's at Smokey Bear Flat. The team then conducted a night rescue exercise.

February

January 31-February 1, 2003. 03-02R. Craig Harris from LaQuinta was reported overdue from a snowmobile outing on San Joaquin Ridge. Searchers covered the Reds Meadow road, Inyo Craters area, Shady Rest area, and San Joaquin Ridge. A single snowmobile track was found tumbling down a chute east of Deadman Pass.

Searchers rappelled down the chute following the tracks and recovered debris from the accident scene. The subject was located 1-1/2 miles from the chute at 0330. He was cold and had a sore back. His snowmobile was stuck.

The Team dug the snowmobile out and the subject rode off with the Team's sleeping bag. Mammoth Police Department was dispatched to recover the sleeping bag. The subject had not reached his car at Shady Rest trailhead several hours after leaving the searchers, so a second search was started. The subject returned to his car shortly after, and all teams returned to base. Responders were: Enright (ops), Lewis, Burns, Schmidt, Byrne, Holmquist, Greene, Knoche, DeGeorge, Zahn, Hronesh, and Rudolph.

February 11, 2003 - Ice Climbing Training

February 13-14, 2003. 03-03R. Andrew Pertzborn from Lake Tahoe was last seen at approximately 1430 when his group of skiers headed for Old Faithful, the eastern most chute on Dragon’s Tail. The Sheriff’s office was contacted by his friends when he failed to return from the day of skiing.

Ski patrol searched for the subject inbounds, and were staying to the south of any tracks they found going out Dragon’s Back (the top was closed that day – the chair 9 traverse was the highest skiers could go). The furthest southern tracks returned to Twin Lakes via the chute just north of Hole-in-the-Wall.

Due to the high avalanche danger that evening, the SAR team hasty searched the area from Hole-in-the-Wall to the Twin Lakes outlet (about 500 yards). Several avalanche debris paths were in the area searched. The largest debris field above the Twin Lakes outlet was searched on foot by ski patrol that night.

The following morning a WOOF avalanche team responded to search the debris fields, and ski patrol sent additional patrollers to search the Dragon’s Back tail. A patroller located a ski track that headed towards the Twin Lakes cliff area. They followed the track, which ended in a small crown release avalanche path that disappeared over the cliffs.

Ski patrollers descended the cliff on rope to check the area, while at the same time, the Ski Patrol Director began scanning the cliffs with his spotting scope from the road at Twin Lakes. He was able to spot a single ski sticking up in the snow just below where the ski track disappeared in the avalanche release.

A SAR team member spotted an unusual looking object at the bottom of the slope using the spotting scope, and sent a Team member and patrollers to investigate. The object turned out to be the subject, who was deceased. He had suffered massive head and body injuries from falling down the 400 foot cliff. He was approximately 200 yards from the bridge across lower Twin Lakes. Responders were: Greene (ops), Schmidt, Holmquist, Burns, DeGeorge and Knoche.

February 16, 2003 - First Responder Medical Training

March

The Team is grateful for a donation from the family of Craig Harris.

Bob Sollima very generously donated six Barryvox digital/analog avalanche beacons to the team. THANKS, Bob - you're the best!

Thanks to our member and Medical Advisor Dr. Pete Clark for a very informative (and graphic) Powerpoint presentation on orthopedic emergencies at the March meeting.

March 1-2, 2003. 03-04R. Tony Lober from Mammoth rode his snowmobile up Laurel Creek then skied up the ridge to the top of Bloody Couloir. He skied down approximately 1000 feet but went to the right of the couloir route due to poor visibility in clouds and darkness. Due to steep cliffs he was unable to continue down or climb back up very far. He called the Reporting Party with his cell phone then made a small snow shelter.

SAR teams responded to Laurel Creek via snowmobiles and snowshoed up the victim's track until forced to turn back at 0340 due to extreme cold and team safety concerns. Temperature that night was near zero degrees, with wind. Helicopter resources were requested for first light.

Telcon from pilot Cain at Mather AFB at 0602 expected launch within the hour. UH-60 Blackhawk in the area at 0855, was unable to locate the victim initially, and landed at Mammoth airport for briefing. SAR member Greene joined the crew as a spotter and the victim was located on the next flight, with marginal power near 12,000 feet. A crewman went down on a jungle penetrator via winch and rescued the victim, but not his equipment.

Medic 3 took charge of the patient at the airport. No significant problems were noted other than mild frostnip. Several days later Mr. Lober went back to get his equipment in good weather with a friend and climbing gear, and described the trip as very difficult. Responders were: Gilbreath (Ops), Greene, Rudolph, Aguirre, Holmquist, Schmidt, Zahn, DeGeorge, Enyeart, Knoche, and Bridger.

Do a search on Google to find numerous pictures of Bloody Couloir being skied.

March 12-13, 2003. 03-05R. Gary McCain from Bakersfield and Tim Lemucci from Mammoth planned to spend a few days in a cabin above Rock Creek Lake, taking ski trips each day. They were expected out by noon on Wednesday, each having urgent commitments the next day. They failed to return or contact family by late evening, and the SAR callout came during our monthly meeting Wednesday night.

McCain's truck was located at the Snow Park at East Fork. Team members went to the cabin via snowmobile, and found it looking as though the occupants had either not been there or had left it in tidy condition. Teams searched the area for tracks, and the usual exit routes. A Winter Lodge employee reported talking to the subjects Tuesday afternoon about the Pond Loop trail.

Jeff skied the Outhouse trail from the lodge to East Fork. About 0130 the subjects were reported by the Sheriff's Office dispatcher as being in a car and driving to Mammoth. We didn't know it, but they had a car stashed at Hilton Creek in the BLM campground, and had planned to ski out as they had before via the Hilton Lakes drainage past Lake 2 and Davis Lake.

They went on the west side of the drainage this time instead of their previous route on the east, and got delayed due to aspens, etc. on the east slope of Mt. Morgan. By the time they got down to the final descent on the steeps toward 395, it was late and dark, and the cold had turned the north facing slope to ice, which it took them hours to creep down. It was a total of about 17 hours for that 11 mile ski trip. Responders were: Gilbreath (ops), DeGeorge, Schmidt, Holmquist, Hronesh and Greene.

March 22, 2003. 03-06R. Roy Horton from Mammoth crashed his snowmobile on the road to Agnew Meadows. The Team responded with snowmobiles along with a County paramedic. Mr. Horton was treated for a fractured femur at the accident location, then transported to Mammoth Mountain Inn using the snowmobile rescue toboggan. He was taken to the hospital by Medic 3. Responders were: Schmidt (ops), Case, Greene, Holmquist, Reynolds, Hronesh, Mogg, and C. Knoche.

March 22, 2003. 03-07R. The second rescue of the day was nearby and nearly the same time. Paul Radder from Canyon Lake hit a tree while snowmobiling on the Reds Meadow road near Pumice Flats campground. Mr. Radder was found unconscious with severe facial trauma. Paramedics stabilized him, and he was transported by snowcat to Mammoth Mountain, and taken to the hospital by Medic 3. Responders were: Schmidt (ops), Greene, C. Knoche, Holmquist, Case, Hronesh, Reynolds, and Mogg.

March 23, 2003. 03-08R. Jeff Corman was snowmobiling by himself on the San Joaquin Ridge when he became disoriented due to low clouds and blowing snow. He called for assistance in being directed back to civilization. SAR team members familiar with the area drove our snowmobiles to the subject, who followed them back to the Inn. Responders were: Greene and Holmquist.

March 26, 2003 - SAR Recruitment Open House

April

April 9, 2004 - Tracking and Search Classroom Training by Greg Enright after meeting.

April 12, 2003 - Basic Candidate Class

At the April meeting, John Hronesh introduced the ten members of the 2003 Candidate class:

Sallee Burns and Noreen McClintock attended a search dog symposium in Oregon.

April 17, 2003 - Tracking Field Training with Greg Enright and others on Hot Creek Road.

April 20, 2003 - Tracking Field Training with Greg Enright and others on Hot Creek Road.

April 26, 2003 - Navigation Training with Jim Gilbreath

April 26, 2003. 03-9R. Mike was injured while snowmobiling in Kennedy Canyon south of Leavitt Lake. While coming down a slope he rolled his snowmobile. He suffered multiple injuries, requiring CHP Helicopter H20 to extract him from the backcountry. He was flown to Bridgeport airport, and transferred to CareFlight for treatment in Reno. Responders were: Greene (ops), Schmidt (ops), DeGeorge, Holmquist, Rudolph, Knoche, Howell, Albaugh, and Bomer.

April 28, 2003. 03-10R. Henry Ramirez suffered a heart attack while working near the Upper Gorge power plant.

Symons Ambulance personnel arrived on scene first, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

The SAR team did a low-angle raising to bring his body to the top of the gorge. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Rudolph, Hronesh, Bradshaw, DeGeorge, and Enyeart.

May

May 3-4, 2003 - Swiftwater Rescue Training with Pete DeGeorge on Walker River north of Bridgeport.

May 9, 2003 - Avalanche Beacon Training with Bill Greene.

May 14, 2003 - Radio Training with Bill Greene after meeting.

May 15,2003 - Search Dog Training

May 16, 2003. 03-11R. Andrea Toth of Mammoth was snowboarding at night in the Sherwin Range to take advantage of the full moon. She was descending the old avalanche chute when she fell and broke her left leg. Initial reports from the Reporting Parties placed her 3/4 of the way down the chute, but actually she was only 300 feet from the top.

The SAR team staged at Snowcreek Ranch, and sent teams up the old avalanche path. Teams reached the victim at 0515. She was placed in the litter, and belayed down using a brake bar to the meadow (approximately 25 pitches) where she was transported by wheeled litter to base.

Medic 3 transported her to Mammoth hospital where she underwent surgery for a boot-top tib-fib fracture. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Hronesh, Howell, Wright, Brenninkmeyer, Bumstead, Walker, Clark, Byrne, Huntsman, Matell, Michalski, and Leyen.

May 18, 2003 - Dive Training with Pete DeGeorge

May 21, 2003. Curtis Langdon, 11, walked away from his family and friends at 1400 near Rock Creek Lodge. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts which were wet from playing in the creek. Several deputies, Mono and Inyo County SAR, and Long Valley Fire were all called to the scene. A family friend followed the subject's tracks and located Curtis about an hour after he was found missing. When we last saw Curtis, he was eating an apple, getting licked by his dog, and laughing. Responders were: Clark, Greene, Holmquist, Schmidt, and perhaps others.

May 21, 2003 - Search Training with Greg Enright at Sherwin Creek picnic area.

May 25, 2003. 03-12R. Karen McCleary from El Segundo was hiking on the Rush Creek Trail above Silver Lake when she slid approximately 50 yards while crossing a snow field, breaking her left arm. The team assisted June Lake Fire and County EMS in transporting her via litter down the trail, where she was taken to Mammoth hospital. Responders were: Aguirre (ops), Enright, Holmquist, Matell, Schmidt, Walker, Rudolph, Alsbaugh, Michalski, Knocke S., Hronesh, Leyen, Brenninkmeyer, Mogg, and Bumstead

May 25, 2003. The team was called to search for two missing hikers near Casa Diablo, but the hikers were found before teams were deployed.

May 28, 2003 - Knots, Litter, Low Angle Rigging Training with Greg Enright at Tioga Pass Road.

More Rigging Training Pictures

May 28, 2003. Team members recovered evidence from the Owens River.

June

June 4, 2003 - High Angle Rigging Training with Greg Enright at Triple Cracks

More Rigging Training Pictures

June 11, 2003 - Alzheimer's Search and Critical Incident Stress Management with Noreen McClintock after meeting.

June 14, 2003 - Swiftwater Rescue Training

More Swiftwater Rescue Training Pictures

June 18, 2003 - High Angle Rigging, Hoist Training, Rigging Test with Greg Enright and Jeff Holmquist.

More Rigging Training Pictures

June 21, 2003 - Helicopter Training with California Highway Patrol

More Helicopter Training Pictures

June 27, 2003 Lost Handgun – A camper in Lee Vining Canyon lost his fanny pack in the creek while crossing a log bridge. The pack contained credit cards, etc., including a 9 mm handgun. Swiftwater trained personnel were requested to attempt to locate the handgun. The pack, along with the handgun, was located 15 feet down river under three feet of water. Responders were: DeGeorge (ops), Walker, Clark, Michalski, Greene

June 29, 2003. 03-13R - Missing backpacker found and the team was not called out

June 29-30, 2003. Tuolumne Mutual Aid. Manuel Santiago, 41, walked away from his family on 28 June at the Cascade Creek Campground on Hwy 108, about 25 miles west of Sonora Pass. Santiago has a mental disability and was described as having the mind of a five-year old and given to aimless wandering and unresponsiveness. He left his family without warm clothing, food, or water.

The Team was contacted in evening of the 29th and responded along with teams from Stanislaus, Modesto, Calaveras, and Mariposa Counties. Dog teams responded from as far away as the Bay area. By the 30th there was helo support, at least five dog teams, a mounted posse, 4x4 teams, a quad team-- and about six ground pounders.

The search effort was concentrated within two miles of the campground. At dusk on the third day, about 60 hours after the search started, the subject was reported by a fisherman who complained of a strange looking man who was (unintentionally) scaring his children and refusing food. A brief tracking exercise resulted in a searcher coming across Santiago sleeping near a road, eight miles away from the original search area. He had apparently made his way down 1100 feet of steep terrain that had been deemed impassable. Responders were: Burns, Holmquist, McClintock, Schmidt.

June 30, 2003. 03-14R. Timothy Kuhn from Plumas Coounty and Erin Lutrick from Bishop were reported by their Forest Service employers as being overdue from a climb of Matterhorn Peak. They started Saturday morning, were expected to be out on Sunday PM, and back to work on Monday morning.

The Team worked out of the Bridgeport airport. CHP helicopter H20 arrived, searched the area, and found that they could not do insertions due to winds and high density altitude. NAS Fallon helicopter was requested for next morning, first light, for inserting teams.

Dori and Lulu, assigned to verify the subjects' car was still at trailhead, met them coming down the trail. They did climb the peak, but rappelled down the wrong side, and spent the night looking for a way to cross back over the ridge line to their packs they left at the bottom of the climb. They hiked/climbed all night (no bivy) and got to their packs at about noon - then hiked out. Responders were: Greene (ops), Clark, Bumstead, Walker, Michalski, Rousek, Mogg, Brenninkmeyer, Matell, Leyen, Knoche, Rudolph, Albaugh, and Long.

July

July 4, 2003. 03-15R. Peter Roman from Mammoth was reported missing from his house since the evening of July 3. Because the subject's mountain bike and bike shorts were not at home, his friends were sure that he had gone out for a bike ride. They suggested that he may have gone for a ride in the Inyo Craters area, as he had been talking about some roads that he wanted to explore.

The Team began searching the Hard Corp, Mountain View, and Inyo Craters trails with mountain bikes and 4wd vehicles. Additional teams searched the dirt roads in the prime search area. A mountain bike track was spotted heading up to and past the end of the Hard Corp mountain bike trail on San Joaquin Ridge.

As a search team began following the track down toward Deadman Pass, Mr. Roman called his friends from a June Lake gas station to say that he was OK. The search was over at 09:00 with all teams back to base by 1000. When interviewed shortly after his return home, Mr. Roman said that he had thought that the Hard Corp trail went all the way to June Lake.

He rode the trail passing a few summits along the way, until he thought that he needed to drop down a gully to get down to trails in the June Lake area. The gully he followed was filled with hard packed snow, and he was forced to use his seat post as an ice axe to prevent sliding down too fast. Darkness forced him to stop for the night and he made a fire.

In the morning, Mr. Roman continued down the snowfields and talus slopes to the Fern Lake area. He continued down to June Lake. Responders were: Enright (ops), Greene, Albaugh, Rudolph, Huntsman, Enyeart, Leyen, Walker, Wright, Drake, Reynolds, Schmidt, Holmquist, Bridger, C.Knoche, Clark, Burns, Sorenson, Heller, and Brenninkmeyer .

Thanks to Lt. Boe Turner and Sgt. Robert Weber for hosting our July meeting at the Sheriff's Department in Bridgeport. Thanks also to the county chef for the fine barbecue and all the trimmings.

July 16, 2003. 03-16R. Calvin Garcia from La Habra was hiking in Horse Creek Canyon above Mono Village where he was reported to have a possible ankle fracture. The Team responded, and found that Mr. Garcia had limped most of the way to the trailhead, and gave him a ride the rest of the way in the wheeled litter. He was taken to Mammoth Hospital via private vehicle. Responders were: Matell (ops), Michalski, Wright, Enright, Long, Brenninkmeyer, Holmquist, Schmidt, Hronesh, Huntsman, and Lee-Lewis.

July 18, 2003. 03-17R. The SAR team was called to recover the body of Franklin Hausman from a ridge at 11,600 feet in the White Mountains. The team hiked into the location and carried the body out with a wheeled litter. Responders were: Enright (ops), Greene, Clark, Knoche, Schmidt, Wright, Holmquist, Brenninkmeyer, Rousek, Rudolph, Matell, Michalski, and Long.

July 21, 2003. Mutual Aid to Tuolumne County. On Saturday, 19 July, Casey Jackson of Chico was sitting at the top of a waterfall on the Tuolumne River near Groveland. By the time a friend could reach the catchment pool, she had disappeared. Search by divers and helos revealed nothing. Team members responded to a call for mutual aid on Tuesday along with SAR volunteers and deputies from Mariposa and San Joaquin Counties. Our team searched one side of the river below the falls. The victim has not been found. Responders were: Byrne, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Zahn.

July 28, 2003. 03-18R. Jan Szupinski and Steve Kania left at 0600 on 7/27/03 to climb the northeast gully of Laurel Mountain, and were to return before nightfall. When they failed to return, their wives called 911 to report them overdue at approximately 2200 that evening.

A deputy located their vehicle still parked at the Convict Lake trailhead parking lot. SAR team was called at 2350 to start the team callout. SAR team members responded to Convict Lake to attempt visual contact with the subjects, who were reported to have either a flashlight or headlamp.

Attempts were made to contact the subjects from both the outlet to the lake and at the base of the climb with no response. A team was assigned to climb to the top of Laurel Mountain to see if they had signed the summit register. The SAR team responded to Mammoth Airport at 0600 7/28/03 to await arrival of CHP helicopter H40 at approximately 0630. The climbing team did not find any evidence in the summit register that they had reached the top.

Prior to H40’s arrival, SAR team located subjects via a spotting scope on the mountain at approximately the 9,300’ level. H40 was directed to their location, and it appeared to them that they were not injured, but stranded. H40 then had to leave for Fresno due to maintenance issues, and a Blackhawk helicopter was then requested from OES.

Spartan 452, an Army Reserve Blackhawk, arrived on scene at 1055. With the assistance of the SAR team, they were able to locate the subjects and extract them from their location using their hoist. Both subjects were brought to Mammoth Airport by 452. The subjects suffered no injuries from their climb/overnight stay on the mountain. They became stranded due to bad weather, poor route finding, and their climbing rope being partially cut by falling rock.They were released to family members. Responders were: Greene (ops), Schmidt (ops), Enright, Holmquist, Gilbreath, Byrne, Brenninkmeyer, Zahn, Drake, Long, Kennedy, Rousek, Huntsman, Wright, Clark, Bridger, and Michalski.

Additional information and pictures

August

August 3, 2003. Jeff Holmquist did a little extra duty at the annual Barcroft Lab Open House, which he describes as: In addition to being at the annual open house to present our research, the station has asked me over the past few years to be on call as a SAR presence. Over a hundred people hike to the summit of White Mtn at this event, and given the long drive to the Barcroft Lab for our team, the station administration likes to have SAR already there in some minimal form.

This year something did come up: Sandy Scott of Los Angeles collapsed while ascending the peak. We were able to access her by four-wheel drive, and on our arrival she was awake and oriented but unable to stand. She was apparently suffering from hypoglycemia, altitude sickness, and dehydration. Her condition improved with water and glucose, and she was transported back to the Barcroft Lab; her party was advised to drive her to lower elevation and did so.

August 5, 2003 - Bloodborne Pathogens Training with Laura Mogg. 7 to 8 pm hospital conference room AB.

August 5-10, 2003 and beyond. 03-19R. Fred Claassen, 46, of Livermore, was reported overdue from a solo backpacking trip on 4 August. His stated itinerary was a loop trip from Twin Lakes to Barney Lake, Crown Lake, Burro Pass, and exiting at Horse Creek.

The primary search area includes about 60 square miles of terrain; secondary search areas for our county and areas searched by Yosemite National Park brings the total to about 150 square miles. By Day 6 of our primary search period, there were 65 personnel in the field and an additional fifteen persons in operations and support roles. Yosemite effort peaked on Day 5 with about 30 personnel involved.

There was a second major operational period from 22-25 August that reached its height on Sunday, 24 August with 25 ground and five base personnel from Mono SAR, Marin SAR, and BAMRU, as well as nine WOOF teams, six YoDog teams, plus Yosemite Helo 551 and two CAP fixed wings. On Saturday, 23 August, Jason Flesher, of Marin SAR, broke his leg while searching and was evacuated by nearby field teams and Yosemite Helo 551.

In total, about 350 person days have been committed to the portion of the search under Mono SAR control as well as about 150 person days contributed by Yosemite National Park. Field teams worked day after day in demanding terrain, and a pathologically dedicated group of operations and support staff made sure that things ran smoothly and kept the ops leaders in line. Support from our Sheriff's Office was outstanding throughout. Despite the effort, Claassen has not been located.

Mono SAR responders: Greene & Holmquist (ops) Burns, McClintock, Riggs, Aguirre, Matell, Brenninkmeyer, Byrne, Preston Clark, Drake, Enyeart, Howell, Hronesh, Knoche, Leyen, Michalski, Mogg, Sorenson, Wright, Zahn, DeGeorge, Gilbreath, Long, Rousek, Rudolph, Schmidt. Other responding agencies: Yosemite National Park (in unified command with Mono County), San Bernadino SAR (Welch, ops), Inyo County SAR, China Lake SAR, USMC MWTC, Sierra Madre SAR, Ventura SAR, Marin SAR, Fresno SAR, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, California Explorer SAR, WOOF, CARDA, YoDogs, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, CHP, Fallon, Army National Guard, Civil Air Patrol.

This search was terminated when winter weather closed the search area.

Additional Information and Pictures

August 13, 2003 - Intro To Dive Team Capability with Pete DeGeorge after meeting.

August 16-17, 2003. 03-20R. The team responded to a call on Saturday night, August 16, 2003, for a climber who had suffered a possible broken ankle and femur. Justin Schwartz of Belmont, CA, and Steve Sosa, of Los Angeles, CA, had climbed 12,300’ high Clyde Minaret on Saturday, a popular climbing peak located eight miles northwest of Mammoth Mountain. After reaching the top, the two climbers were starting to descend down the southwest slope when a boulder dislodged, causing Schwartz to fall 20 feet. His fall resulted in injuries to his arm, legs and ankle, preventing him from further descending the steep slope.

Sosa called for help from his cell phone, and they spent the night on the 12,000-foot peak. The team requested a helicopter with high-altitude capability, and on Sunday morning a Blackhawk Spartan 497 helicopter from the California Army National Guard base near Sacramento responded to assist with the rescue.

The Blackhawk, along with a team member, flew to the peak to attempt to reach Schwartz. The Blackhawk paramedic was lowered on its cable winch to Schwatz’s perch on the peak, and he was able to hoist both Schwartz and Sosa up to the helicopter. They were flown to Mammoth Airport where Mono County paramedics transported Schwartz to Mammoth Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Responders were: Enright(Ops), Greene, DeGeorge, Knoche, Long, Rudolph, Hronesh, Brenninkmeyer, Gilbreath, Leyen, Lee Lewis, Mogg, and Huntsman

August 17, 2003. 03-21R. The Team was called out to transport a woman who was having trouble breathing at Peeler Lake. Yosemite National Park helicopter picked up the woman and transported her to Crane Flat for medical transport. She responded to albuterol and O2, and according to physicians it is most likely that she was having a severe asthma attack, although she had no history of asthma. This may have been complicated by altitude. Her airway was largely obstructed, and this was a potentially fatal situation. Responders were: Gilbreath, Leyen, Knoche, Enright, Hronesh, Byrne, Aguirre, Matell, Zahn, Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, and Howell.

August 17, 2003. 03-22R. Colin Powell (NOT the Secretary of State) from Thousand Oaks was hiking with a church group when he became nauseous, weak, had a high pulse (140), pale skin, and was unable to eat or drink. A passing hiker was asked to report to Forest Service and request aid.

The SAR Team was paged out at 1619. The subject felt better late in the afternoon and walked out with a group leader. SAR member Byrne found them at Agnew Meadows and provided transport to their car at Mammoth Mountain. Responders were: Gilbreath (Ops), Hronesh, Byrne, Knoche, and Leyen.

August 24, 2003. 03-23R. Dick Bowles from San Joaquin was a bit ill when starting his hiking trip to Shadow Lake, and got much worse, becoming disoriented and incapacitated. Packers from Reds Meadow had assisted him and brought him out via horseback.

The Team arrived at Reds just as he arrived, helped him dismount, and did an initial medical assessment, placing him on oxygen. He was transported to Mammoth hospital. A full medical assessment revealed that he became too weak to walk after three days of vomiting, and he had been unable to eat or drink very much. Other medical history may have contributed to his condition. Responders were:, Enright (Ops), Matell, Zahn, Knocke, and Heller.

August 31, 2003. 03-24R. Doug Nolan from Freedom, California, and Marcos Brundall from Soquel, California were climbing near the Ritter-Banner saddle. The Team was initially called out to rescue a climber who slipped down the snowfield east of Mt Ritter. The man was reported to have fallen 30 feet down the slope then 15 feet into a moat at the edge of the snowfield.

A medical team hiked in at 3:00 a.m. followed by a technical rescue team with litter and ropes. Upon arrival at the scene, the medical team found Nolan in great pain to his lower back and he was vomiting. Additionally, Brundall, who had initially stayed to help his friend, was suffering from symptoms brought on by lack of medicine from a previous medical condition.

Both subjects were assisted by a climber, Michael Habicht of El Segundo, California, later that day who came to their aid while descending the peak. Habicht, who had advanced wilderness first aid training, stabilized the subjects by keeping them warm with his sleeping bag, bivy sack and clothing until the SAR team arrived.

Yosemite National Park helicopter picked up the injured climbers using a short haul technique and transported them to a waiting ambulance at Mammoth Airport. Responders were: Enright (ops), Leyen, Knoche, Hronesh, Gilbreath, Byrne, Heller, Matell, Zahn, Holmquist, Schmidt, LeeLewis, Howell, Wright, Case, Brenninkmeyer, Long, Rousek, Rudolph, Clark, and Matell.

Pictures by Michael Habicht

August 31, 2003 03-25R. Dave Daly and Michele Beatty were reported overdue from a climb of Michael Minaret. They were separated from their group at 9pm Saturday 8/30/03 while returning from a climb to place a plaque memorializing Walter A. Starr Jr. who died on the peak in August of 1933. Romain Wacziarg reported the two overdue with a cell phone from their campsite at Cecile Lake after they did not make it back to the camp by noon Sunday.

Rescuers who were returning from a rescue of two men on Mt Ritter were turned around to search the cliffs and drainages above Lake Ediza. The Yosemite Park Helicopter used in the previous rescue scanned the Minarets. Searchers said they had seen two climbers hiking out toward Agnew Meadows earlier in the day as the rescuers were hiking into the rescue on Mt Ritter and they asked if the missing climbers matched their description.

The search was suspended when searchers viewed a videotape at the climbers' basecamp and saw that the climbers seen earlier were the missing climbers, who had hiked out to Agnew Meadows. Responders were: Enright (Ops), Gilbreath, Leyen, Matell, Hronesh, Clark, Heller, Matell, Howell, Wright, Case, Brenninkmeyer, Long, Rousek, Rudolph, Zahn, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Lee Lewis.

A very interesting and instructive narrative about this can be found here.

September

Congratulations to Dave Michalski and Preston Clark, who have completed all the requirements on the Candidate list, and were accepted as Rescue Members at the September Team meeting.

The Team received a very nice letter from Fred Claassen's mother, expressing thanks for our efforts, and telling a bit about Fred's life.

September 1, 2003, 03-26R. Frances Hardin age 67 from Chalfant was reported overdue from a morning walk. Around 4:30 p.m., members of Chalfant Fire Department and other volunteers from the community began looking for Hardin and the SAR team was called.

As the SAR team was starting search operations, Hardin was found by members of Chalfant Fire who were searching on ATVs. Hardin was OK and stated that she was not in trouble at all. She said she had just taken a longer walk than usual and had found some interesting rocks. She had seen the searchers and thought they were simply out exploring the area . Responders were: Case, Michalski, Holmquist, Enright, Hronesh, Zahn, Greene, and Byrne.

September 4, 2003. 03-27R. David Houston, age 50, from Brentwood, CA. told family he would do a solo backpack in either Tahoe, Yosemite, or the Minarets beginning Sunday August 31. He was reported overdue when he failed to report for work at midnight Monday.

His brother Paul spent Wednesday searching every parking lot in Yosemite looking for his car. The car was found at the Mammoth Mountain Chair 2 parking lot Wednesday night, and a wilderness permit issued at 1 PM Sunday indicated he planned to go to Minaret Lake. A local resident reported being asked to watch a pack at Minaret Lake on Monday, but the requester never returned. A hiker phoned to report hearing yelling from the Minarets on Tuesday.

Ground teams began searching the trails from Devil's Postpile and Agnew Meadows early Thursday. Forest Service helicopter 525 was available at the Mammoth heli-spot, and began searching, quickly locating the victim at the edge of a glacier at the base of the Minarets above Iceberg Lake, landing their medic who climbed to the victim. Ground teams were turned around, and flown in by 525.

While descending from the Minaret Crest, Mr. Houston had slipped on the ice/snow and slid down to rocks, injuring a foot. He spent 3 nights out in wet weather with only shorts and T-shirt, and no food or water. Team 1 treated the victim for exposure and foot injury, then packaged him for a lowering off the snowfield. He was lowered in two pitches using snow pickets for anchors, then loaded into 525 at a precarious LZ in the rocks. Medic 3 transported him from Minaret Vista to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Gilbreath (Ops), DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Greene, Michalski, Brenninkmeyer, Wright, Byrne, Burns & Slider, Hronesh, and Long.

September 14, 2003. 03-28R. About 0830 Richard Ziegler, age 29, from Bishop was ascending a snowfield leading to Red Slate peak with Mark Kiner when he "skated" a crampon, and fell about 150 feet.

He sustained a fractured clavicle, numerous lacerations and internal injuries during the fall. Mr. Kiner hiked out for help, and the Team was called out.

Ground teams hiked in to access the patient. CHP helicopter H40 from Fresno located the victim above Constance Lake, and landed their paramedic, who hiked to the victim.

Holmquist was flown in the next flight, meanwhile, Enright, Kiner, and Huntsman reached the victim via ground and assisted packaging and loading the victim from a ledge while H40 did a one-skid hover.

Medic 3 transported Mr. Ziegler from the airport to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Case, Knocke, DeGeorge, Enright, Brenninkmeyer, Long, Huntsman, Michalski, Drake, Gilbreath, and Wright.

September 20, 2003. 03-29R. Scott Yarno from Santa Barbara sustained a lower leg injury while hiking to the bottom of Owens Gorge early in the day. At 1630 Team members from both Mono and Inyo counties responded and used a wheeled litter to carry him out of the gorge. Responders were: DeGeorge, Holmquist, Hronesh, Enright, and Clark.

September 25, 2003. 03-30R. Lane Davis from Prunedale was hiking down the Garnet Lake trail to the San Joaquin river trail when he stepped on a rock. He felt a pop and was unable to walk due to pain in his ankle. His companion hiked out the five miles to Agnew Meadows and called for help.

The Team responded with a wheeled litter and carried him out. Mammoth Lakes Fire personnel helped a lot with the last mile of uphill. The victim was taken to Mammoth hospital for treatment of fractures of his left ankle. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Morrow, Byrne, Drake, Matell, Rudolph, DeGeorge, Enright, Schmidt, and Holmquist.

September 27, 2003 - Annual ELT search practice and run-around/GPS exercise 0800 at Mammoth Airport, with Jim Gilbreath. We usually have a lot of fun with this one. You can also use this training to pass your GPS requirement, but you'll need to make arrangements with Jim ahead of time if you wish to do so. Training will be completed in time to get to Mono Lake for the annual Team Picnic.

September 27, 2003 - Annual Team Picnic hosted by the Sheriff's Department at Mono Lake County Park. Bring your family! Be there by 4 p.m. for the GREAT FOOD. At 3 p.m. there will be a cleanup at the nearby cemetery for Rick Mosher's grave.

October

Congratulations to Jim Wright, who was accepted as a Rescue Member at the October Team meeting, and to Walt Matell at the November meeting. At least two others are very close to finished with their Candidate ladder. It has been a record year for new Rescue Members! WOW.

October 1, 2003. 03-31R. Gloria Poston from Encinitas became separated from the group while coming back from a hike to Barrett Lake from Lake George. The Team, with Mammoth Lakes Police Department and Sheriff Unit responded to Lake George (PLS). Police Department unit was assigned to drive the road around Lake Mary, and located the subject walking along the road. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Holmquist, Schmidt, McClintock, Wright, and Enyeart.

October 12, 2003. 03-32R. Pedro Frigola and his wife Ann Chen from Culver City were roped up climbing an ice chute in the Mt. Dana area on October 12. At about 1200, Chen fell on low angle ice, pulling down Frigola who was leading the climb. Frigola was unable to stop their fall. He had not placed any protective gear since they were just beginning the climb. He fell about 100 feet and sustained injuries to his pelvis, elbows, and right knee. He was unable to walk due to pain in the knee. Paul Douglass was teaching a crampon class in the area, and hiked out for help.

The Team responded to Tioga Lake. A team was sent in with a wheeled litter and medical supplies. Helicopter 551 was able to land near the victim. National Park Service paramedics treated the injuries. Frigola was then short hauled to medics at Tioga Lake, and was transported to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Michalski, Walker, Holmquist, and Schmidt.

October 12, 2003. 03-33R. Douglas Virtue from San Pedro was overdue from a planned solo climb of Red Slate Mountain via the North couloir. He was reported overdue by a friend in Lee Vining.

The Team began a response to Convict Lake, while Sgt. Weber interviewed the Reporting Party in Lee Vining. The first Team personnel to reach the trailhead encountered the subject as he reached the parking lot. Ice conditions had slowed his ascent and descent, but he was not injured. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Michalski, Walker, and DeGeorge.

October 13, 2003. 03-34R. GSgt William Grigsby, Sgt Chris Bengston, and SSgt Eric Johnson from the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center at Pickel Meadows were on maneuvers in the Ritter Range. They were 36 hours overdue for a radio check-in. The Team responded and was able to use Helicopter 551 from Yosemite in insert a ground team of three at Ritter Lakes.

On 14 October, preparations were underway to field 3 USMC ground teams and one mounted team. NAS Fallon helicopter Longhorn 2 was enroute to pick up two of the ground teams for insertion. At 0730 the overdue marines were able to make radio contact. Longhorn 2 picked up the SAR team. The overdue party hiked out to Devil's Postpile via the trail system around the south end of the Ritter Range, and were picked up by USMC personnel. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist (Ops), Knocke, Michalski, Long, Schmidt, Hronesh, Walker, Enright, and Matell.

October 24-25, 2003 - Mountainfest in Bishop - SAR Team had a booth.

October 25-26, 2003. 03-35R. Reporting Parties reported Alex Clayton, Jen Hopper, and Calvin Kilcrease overdue from a climb in the Dana Couloir.

Information was also received second hand from another Reporting Party through medical staff at Mammoth hospital that the group was overdue or stranded due to a lower leg injury thought to have been sustained by Clayton.

The Team responded to Tioga Lake. A ground team took a wheeled litter to the Dana Couloir. The subjects were found and were overdue, but had no injuries.

The Team escorted them to the trailhead. The confusion was due to another rescue going on in the Park. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, Leyen, and Walker.

November

Five board members will be elected (or re-elected) for 2-year terms at the December meeting. Those with expiring terms are Greg Enright, Jim Gilbreath, Patrick Byrne, Pete DeGeorge, and Steve Case (who completed Noreen McClintock's term). Jim, Greg, and Patrick have indicated they are not inclined to run for re-election this year. If you would like to help manage the Team's future, throw your helmet in the ring.

Two more search training sessions re: Fred Claassen were held during October, including Horse Creek Canyon area, Robinson Lake, and various gullies.

Paul Houston donated $200 to the Team in appreciation for the rescue of his brother Dave in the Minarets in September.

Gary Cino and the Mercy Foundation donated $5000 to the Team.

Martha Claassen's Students at Our Savior Lutheran School held a car wash fund raiser to show appreciation for the volunteers searching for their teacher's husband. The Help Find Mr. Claassen Fundraiser was awesome. The kids worked 5 hours, the school and local community came out in force, and raised $1500. Jeff, Jutta, Bill, and others put together a huge thank you card with pictures that was sent to the class, signed by Team members at the November meeting.

We Get Letters: Here are excerpts from two letters from Eljean Claassen-Lane.

I am Fred Claassen's mother and I do not know how to begin expressing from the Claassen family how grateful we are for every one of you wonderful people.

Fred was named after his father and had many goals he had set for himself as to seeing God's creations of beauty. He was especially drawn to Yosemite. He even went there in the winter and has photographed Yosemite Snowy white. His photos live on in our hearts. He also recorded the streams, creeks, and waterfalls besides bird sounds. His eyes saw beauty in everything and his ears heard sounds many do not hear as they walk the trails.

Fred had kept himself physically fit for his 25 years of backpacking, mostly in your wonderful Yosemite. Fred has three sisters. Laurie Claassen, Karen Vlieger and Cheryl Snyder. We appreciate Sgt. Weber and Lt. Turner for their patience in answering our questions about the ongoing search for Fred. We realize that there are so many caring people that have given their time and expertise in the search.

God Bless each and everyone of you. Also a large thank you to Jeff Holmquist who has worked closely with Martha Claassen, Fred's wife. We feel very bad that Jason Flesher had gotten injured while leading his group from Marin County Search and Rescue. I have sent him cards and he has e-mailed me back.

Please find a check to help towards financial support. I know this is a small amount, but hope to send further checks. Thank you seems so little but know you have all touched our hearts and lives in a way we will never forget. Martha and Fred were married in Yosemite so this place of beauty means a lot. God Bless.

November 17, 2003 - Night Lake Ice Rescue Training

More Night Lake Ice Training Pictures

November 29-30, 2003. 03-36R. Mutual aid to Inyo SAR. Igor Slepchin and Michael Tselman from New Jersey and New York attempted to climb Lone Pine Peak. Inyo county Sheriff's Office received a report that they were stranded at 0900 on November 29.

Because most of Inyo's climbers were out of county, Mono SAR was called for help. Helo support was requested and a technical team was put on standby at Lone Pine Airport. A second technical team was sent in by ground to locate the RP, who was in contact with the climbers via FRS radio. The RP was located about a half mile from the trailhead.

The climbers had begun the North Ridge of the peak the day before and had bivvyed that night after being stopped by the crux 5.6 pitch. By the time the ground team reached the RP, the climbers had climbed past this obstacle and were nearing the summit.

They believed that they could complete the climb and descend the class 2 descent route to their base camp. The ground team hiked to the base camp to wait while the climbers summited and began the descent in case there were further difficulties (there were).

The rest of the SAR team were told to stand down except for a base radio operator. The climbers were unable to descend. The ground team then hiked further up-canyon (Meysan Lakes drainage) to the base of the descent route. Both the ground team and the climbing party bivvyed for the night.

The next morning (November 30), the ground team climbed the descent route, located the climbers, and gave them food and water. Meanwhile, Inyo SAR sent support personnel to the base camp as backup assistance. The Mono SAR ground team guided the climbers down the descent route and left them at their base camp. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Michalski, Enright, and Knoche.

December

2003 Awards Party at Double Eagle Resort & Spa, June Lake

Each year, the all-volunteer Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service.

The team's main honor for achievement is the Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year award. The award is named in memory of a beloved teammate who was killed in an ice-climbing accident in 1996.

The Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year is Pete DeGeorge. Pete is very active on the team as a Board member, training instructor, Operations Leader and dive team leader. He is currently the team’s Vice-President.

Pete has served on the team for eight years and has participated in over 100 operations, including more than 20 in 2003.

Pete has managed all of this while serving as a Mono County Sheriff’s Deputy and a volunteer member of the Long Valley Fire Department and the Radio Amateur Emergency Service.

New members in training are called Candidate Members and must undergo training, practice, and testing in 19 categories of skills before being considered for advancement to Rescue Member.

Examples of these skills include first aid and victim care, tracking, technical rescue, mountain navigation, helicopter operations, and skill with electronic aids such as radios and GPS receivers.

This year, the team selected Dave Michalski as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Rick Mosher is the only member of the team to be killed during the performance of his duties. Mosher died while on board an aircraft as a spotter.

Dave Michalski has been very active and faithful in both his training and in rescue operations and has recently advanced to Rescue Member status.

Dave is a budding SARaholic and has participated with pathological enthusiasm in all aspects of the team.

It’s notable that he both achieved membership and was then elected to the board after less than a year of service. He is already the team’s Equipment Officer.

Jim Gilbreath received a Lifetime Membership Award. Lifetime Membership is a very special award given to a select few who have made unusually strong contributions over a long period of time.

Jim has been an extremely active member of the team as a Board member, skills trainer, newsletter Editor, Operations Leader, computer, radio, and mapping guru.

Jim has been on the team for over ten years and has participated in over 100 operations. He has served on the Board of Directors continuously since joining the team.

Jim’s extensive experience in the Sierra backcountry is invaluable.

Even more important than Jim’s tangible contributions is the kindness and encouragement that he has offered to all throughout his time on the team. He is truly deserving of this special honor.

Team President Greg Enright presented the honorees with laser-engraved cherrywood plaques at the annual team awards on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at the Eagle's Landing Restaurant, Double Eagle Resort, in June Lake.

Congratulations to Laura Mogg and Joe Walker, who were accepted as Rescue Members at the December Team Meeting. It has been a record year for new Rescue Members! Well Done.

Four board members have been elected (or re-elected) to help manage the Team's future for 2-year terms at the December meeting. They are: Pete DeGeorge, Steve Case, Jim Wright, and Dave Michalski. Tim Rudolph was elected to finish a one year term vacated by Patrick Byrne.

December 19, 2003. 03-37R. Joe Petrowski from San Jose got his snowmobile stuck in a tree well near the top of Sonora Pass about 1400. After two hours he called a friend on his cell phone, who in turn called the S.O. The Team responded and dug him out and got him started down. On descent they found him again after he crashed near the Leavitt Lake turnoff. Petrowski refused any medical aid. The machine had damage to the cowling and other parts, but the Team was able to get him going again. Responders were: Holmquist, Greene, DeGeorge, Matell (Ops) and Weber.

December 29, 2003. 03-38R. A father and daughter rented a snowmobile and got it stuck at Crater Flat in deep powdery snow. It took several tries and some assistance from the rental owner. Responders were: Greene and Weber.