Highlights of The Year 2013

Compiled by Webmaster and Jim Gilbreath

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.

Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team
2013 Operations Summary

by Jim Gilbreath

The Team responded to 38 calls

• 2265 man-hours
• 40 subjects rescued
• 20 searches
• 24 technical missions
• 3 recovery missions
• 4 missions outside Mono County
• 16 missions utilizing aircraft
• 9 missions where medical aid was performed

The Team made 5 Public Education Presentations involving 9 man-hours

57 training sessions were held, and training man-hours totaled 1525

Activity Types included:

• 23 Hiking
• 5 Climbing
• 5 Skiing (Downhill and Cross-county)
• 1 Snowboarding
• 1 Snow Machine
• 0 Hunting
• 0 Aircraft
• 1 Automobile/Motorcycle
• 0 Mountain Biking
• 7 Water Sports

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January

Officers for 2013 were approved: President - Dan Corning, Vice President - Jutta Schmidt, Equipment Officer - Rick Dodson, Training Officer - Barry Beck, Secretary - Marie French, Member - Jeff Holmquist, Member - Jon Robertson, Member - Jim Gilbreath, Member - Heidi Vetter, Financial Officer - Bill Greene.

The new building was moved into.

Life member and former SAR Coordinator Doug Magee was in town this summer, and showed us the Team's FIRST BUILDING. It was moved from a mining claim to June Lake, and served as an equipment cache. Here's a photo of the little old shack, and another of Doug on the steps.

December 30-31, 2012. 13-003, #1 On December 30, 2012, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team responded to a call for an overdue skier. The subject, a 55 year old male from Southern California, was skiing at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, and failed to return to his condo when expected. Family members notified the ski area, and ski patrol began searching for him in the chair 12 area.

The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team responded, and obtained a latitude and longitude reading from his cell phone that showed him being in an out-of-bounds area on the west side of the ski area.

Ski patrol members then redirected their search in the area of the cell phone readings. His ski tracks were located and then followed to his location on the east side of Sotcher Lake. A snow cat met the group at Sotcher Lake, and transported him and the searchers to Main Lodge where he was reunited with his family. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Thompson, and Holmquist.

January 18, 2013. 13-034, #2 A 41 year-old local resident was reported to be in need of help in the snow above the Sherwin Creek Road. The SAR Team responded, as well as Mammoth Lakes Fire, Mammoth Lakes Police Department, Forest Service, and Mono County Sheriff deputies. Search teams looked for tracks by snowmobile, and dog teams searched for scent.

Searchers on a Team snowmobile located the subject lying in the snow. Mono County Paramedics were transported by Team snowmobiles to the location. The patient was given warm clothing and heat packs and was transported by a snowmobile-towed toboggan to the road, and from there to Mammoth hospital by ambulance. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Greene, Hartstrom, Dodson, Brad Schilz, Ackerman, Scotese, and DeGeorge.

February

February 3, 2013. 13-???, #3 A Team member responded to a snowmobile crash on Obsidian Dome Road. Responder: DeGeorge (Ops).

February 4, 2013. 13-???, #4 A Team member transported a litter to a body recovery scene near June Lake. Responder: Greene.

February 9, 2013. 13-068, #5 Early in the morning, a visitor from Ventura accidentally became locked out of a party hotel room, and set off lightly clad on foot toward personal lodging. Units from MLPD, Mammoth Fire, and the SAR Team were called out to search. Footprints in the snow were found leading to vehicle tire tracks. The subject was uninjured. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, and Holmquist.

2012 Year End Awards Party was held in the new SAR Building on February 13, 2013. Click Here for Details.

February 23, 2013 - Avalanche Training

March

March 2, 2013. 13-???, #6 Two team members assisted June Lake Fire and Medic 2 personnel with a medical emergency at the snow play area near Deadman Summit. A Team toboggan was used to transport the subject to the ambulance. Responders were: Greene and Guffey.

March 2, 2013. 13-143, #7 A husband and wife, along with a friend, went for a hike in the Inyo Craters area. They became lost and were unable to find their way back to their vehicle. They called 911 for assistance, and two search and rescue members responded with snowmobiles.

While awaiting rescue, a father and son who were snowmobiling in the area came upon the lost party. Due to a lack of gas they were only able to transport one of the lost persons to where the search and rescue team was staging. The remaining two lost hikers were picked up by the search and rescue team, and all three were then taken back to their vehicle. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Guffey, and DeGeorge.

March 13, 2013. 13-185, #8 A SAR member was driving back from June Lake and responded to a call for a lost skier at Inyo Craters. The indicated location from the cell phone was near the Crestview rest area. The skier and her small dog were quickly located and given a ride to her car at the Inyo Craters trailhead. Responder: Greene (Ops).

March 18, 2013. 13-190, #9 Two runners were running to Panorama Dome when one fell and suffered a fractured leg. The other ran out and called 911. Several agencies responded. The subject was located and taken by Tamarack snowcat to the trailhead, then to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Dodson, and Thompson.

April

April 6, 2013 - Communications Training

On April 9, Ben & Jerry's did a fund raiser for the team on Free Cone day. We scooped ice cream and showed off some of our gear, and answered questions.

April 13, 2013 - Candidate Basic Training

Click here for more Candidate Basic Training Pictures

April 21, 2013 - Mountain Navigation Training with Jim Gilbreath

April 30, 2013. 13-343, #10 A 61 year old visitor from Orange, California was hiking on the McGee Creek trail about 3 miles from the trailhead above the beaver ponds when she sustained an ankle injury.

A companion hiked down to a point where a cell phone call could be made to call 911.

The Team responded and sent a hasty medical team with oxygen and splints, followed by teams with litter and other equipment.

The subject was evacuated to the trailhead, and was taken by Mono County paramedics to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Corning (Ops), Vetter, Guffey, Dodson, French, Holmquist, Schmidt, Leyen, Hartstrom, Scotese, and DeGeorge.

We received the following note from the subject:

"Just a little note to thank you and the team that came to my rescue on April 30. My ankle was dislocated and broken in 3 places so I appreciate all of the work involved getting me to McGee Creek trailhead.

My family has made a couple donations but I wanted to extend my personal appreciation."

May

May 4, 2013 - Search Training

May 5, 2013. 13-354, #11 A 24-year old snowboarder from Saratoga, California was injured by a fall while descending Matterhorn Peak and was able to call for help via cell phone.

The SAR team was alerted, and CHP Helicopter H-20 was dispatched to provide assistance if possible.

Meanwhile, a local guide and her group of clients were near the accident scene and were able to provide medical assistance to the patient.

While a SAR ground team was enroute to the Horse Creek trailhead, CHP was able to fly to the patient's location at 10,900', despite deteriorating weather conditions.

The patient was successfully extricated by helicopter and transported to Reno for treatment. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Beck, Hartstrom, Barnum, Dodson, Maroti, Guffey, Case, Wirken, and Gilbreath.

May 15, 2013 - Technical Rescue Ropes and Knots

Click here for more Technical Rescue Ropes and Knots Pictures

May 18-19, 2013. 13-387, #12 A 63-year old hiker from Merced, California was reported overdue by his son at 8:00 pm when he did not return from a 3 hour day hike. The SAR team was alerted, and hasty teams searched during the night from the point last seen. The search continued the next morning with the assistance of H40 out of Fresno. Later In the afternoon, assistance was provided by Inyo SAR and dog search teams from Truckee and Clovis.

The subject spent a cold night out before encountering a hiker who had been alerted to our search efforts. The hiker, a past SAR team member directed our subject to the nearest trailhead and alerted the SAR team. The team located the subject and transported him back to his son. Responders were: Vetter & Corning (Ops), Glenn Goryl, Andrea Goryl, Ropke, Thompson, Barnum, Scotese, Case, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Hartstrom, Beck, Hall, Mahoney, Soto, Robertson, Holmquist, and Julao.

June

June 1, 2013 - Technical Rescue - Steep Angle Training

Click here for more Technical Rescue Steep Angle Rigging Training Pictures

June 3, 2013 - Technical Rescue - Litter Attendant Training

Click here for more Technical Rescue Litter Attendant Training Pictures

June 5, 2013. 13-446, #13 A 21 year old man from Houston, Texas attempted to swim from the west short of Tioga Lake to a rock island about 150 yards out in the middle of the lake. He was fatigued and struggled to get to the island, where he felt weak, cold and had symptoms of hypothermia. He shouted to his family on shore that he did not want to risk swimming back and wanted to be rescued.

Bystanders called Yosemite National Park, who called 911. The Team responded with a rubber raft and returned him to shore, where County paramedics evaluated his medical condition, and released him. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Corning, and Dodson.

June 6, 2013 - Helicopter Training with Bill Greene and CHP H-40 Helicopter Crew

June 8, 2013 - Technical Rescue - High Angle Rigging Training

Click here for more Technical Rescue High Angle Rigging Training Pictures by Jim Gilbreath

Click here for more Technical Rescue High Angle Rigging Training Pictures by Megan Guffey

Click here for more Technical Rescue High Angle Rigging Training Pictures by Pete DeGeorge

June 12-14, 2013. 13-466, #14 This was an out of state Mutual Aid coordinating resources between CalEma and Nevada's equivalent agency. SAR teams responded from Mineral County, Mono County, and Inyo County. A 54 year old man from Chicago called 911 on 6/12/13 claiming to be cliffed out on Boundary Peak. Shortly afterward, he called again and said that he was no longer cliffed out but needed to gain 1000 feet and wanted to know which way to go to his car. No further communication was heard from him. His car was still at the Trail Canyon trailhead the next morning.

Esmeralda County does not have a SAR team and asked for assistance from Mono County. The Team responded with three off road patrol teams and two teams ascending a difficult and narrow drainage leading to the last known point (LKP) from cell phone pings. CHP helicopter H40 responded from Fresno and was able to fly for about an hour before strong winds forced them to return to their base.

Mineral County SAR responded with one team who checked the Boundary Peak Register and got above the LKP with no clues or track. Friday the Team started at 0600 assisted by two members from Inyo SAR. Five Teams were dispatched to the field. Team one ascended Morris Creek, Team two ascended an unnamed peak for optical searching and relay. Team three cut track from Trail Canyon saddle, Team four prepared for an overnight to the LKP from above and Team five traversed the ridge across from the cliffs.

At 1000 two Pave Hawk helicopters from Nellis AFB responded and within an hour had located the subject walking towards the west side of the Morris Creek drainage not far from our Team heading up. The subject was hoisted into the helicopter and was transported to the Command Base, then flown to Inyo hospital for further treatment. Responders were: Vetter (Ops), Corning (Ops), Scotese, Holmquist, G. Goryl, A. Goryl, Guffey, Leyen, Beck, C. Schilz, Barnum, Case, Hartstrom, Dodson, DeGeorge, and Buccowich.

Click here for more Ops 13-466 Boundary Peak Morris Creek Pictures

June 18, 2013. 13-478, #15 The reporting party called 911, and also sent a PLB message for an injured kayaker on the middle fork of the San Joaquin river. The subject received a possible broken ankle after descending a ten foot waterfall in his kayak. Because the PLB notification went to Madera County, they handled the air resources.

The 911 call went to Mono County Dispatch, and our Team provided the ground resources. As Teams were enroute, CHP helicopter H40 from Fresno was able to hoist the subject out of the river, and flew him to Minaret Vista where he was transferred to the Mono County paramedic ambulance. Responders were: Vetter (Ops), Corning, Mahoney, Soto, Greene, French, Julao, Wirken, Dodson, G. Goryl, and DeGeorge.

June 19, 2013. 13-482, #16 A couple from Ohio, ages 66 and 67, and their 10 year old grandson went on a day hike in the Saddlebag Lake area. They took the boat taxi across the lake and were expected to catch the last taxi back at the end of the day. They had lunch and only limited supplies with them. At 2147, they had failed to return back to Bishop and were reported by the father of the grandchild. He was concerned due to the ages of his son and parents and that they were not dressed for the conditions, had no light source or way to start a fire and were not familiar with the area. Their vehicle was still parked at the Lake.

The Team responded and began a ground search, along with six spontaneous volunteers including staff from Saddlebag Lake resort. Trails around the lake and other likely routes were searched, but without encountering the subjects. Dispatch advised that the subjects had returned to Bishop, and were okay. The search was suspended and everyone in the field recalled. A follow up revealed they had been delayed and got back to the water taxi pickup point too late at 1930, and hiked around the lake. They were delayed in contacting the RP to advise they were enroute. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge, Schmidt, Beck, Hartstrom, A. Goryl, G. Goryl, Ropke, Julao, Mahoney, and French.

June 26, 2013. 13-508, #17 While a husband and wife were backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, the wife rolled her left ankle. She heard a pop and collapsed, experiencing severe pain. She was unable to weight the limb and was unable to continue. The husband made a flat area next to the trail where they could camp, and wrote a note stating that his wife was an injured backpacker with a possible broken left leg and unable to hike out. They were at UTM 322385, 4157451, which was found to be in Fresno County. They had a tent, food for the night, and did not plan to move.

At 1415 the note was passed to a man who was hiking to Red's Meadow (Madera County), and a call was made to 911. Madera County SO Dispatch was contacted, and their SAR coordinator requested assistance from Mono County for the rescue, and the Team was called out. CHP helicopter H40 was not available until early morning.

A SAR ground team was assigned to hike into the victim's location, and assess the victim and area for a medical evacuation by air. The Team hiked through the night and reached the victim at 0630 and assessed her medical condition.

CHP helicopter H40 was able to extract her by hoist with the aid of the ground team. She was flown to Mammoth Lakes and transferred to Mono County Paramedics who took her to Mammoth Hospital for further treatment. It was determined that she sustained a fracture to her left distal fibula. The SAR Team assisted her husband carrying her pack to the Red's Meadow trailhead. Responders were: Corning (Ops), DeGeorge, Greene, Endo, A. Goryl, G. Goryl, and Guffey.

July

Why We Do SAR We got a request from a philanthropy organization to ask some of our members to comment on their volunteer activities. Here are some (anonymous) responses some of our members made to "Tell us about an experience you had while volunteering that made you realize you were making a difference."

The look of happiness on faces of family of the rescued victims.

Being the Ops Leader and directing the search that found a lost skier alive after being out for 4 days. Telephoning his wife and daughter that he was alive and well was a special treat.

For me it was my very first call on SAR. It was a day hiker who fell, became paralyzed We were out all night and the helo picked him up in the morning. There was a lot of collaboration with Forest Service/SAR/medics to help save this person's life. It was nice to see the commitment everyone made. Got me hooked from there on.

For me, the realization that I was making a difference came at the end of the callout. Regardless of the type of rescue, at the end of the day or night and the person is safe and an outpouring of sincere gratitude is delivered, that's when I truly knew that we just made a difference. And that's a great feeling.

A notable SAR I was on included getting a quick response from a helicopter to find and rescue a man with broken ankles/legs who fell on a snowfield, was immobile and had been out for two days stuck there in the rain with only a map to shield himself from the rain. It probably would have been his last day but our search and the helo saved him to return to his family.

The large search for Steve Fawcett. Many of our team were involved. Another team member and I hiked into the aircraft crash site at night, located and secured the site, then searching it in the morning and guiding a huge number of rescue and search teams there. It was kind of historic. We contributed a little piece of bringing closure for his wife and many of his fans and friends.

The large search for Steve Fawcett. Many of our team were involved. Another team member and I hiked into the aircraft crash site at night, located and secured the site, then searching it in the morning and guiding a huge number of rescue and search teams there. It was kind of historic. We contributed a little piece of bringing closure for his wife and many of his fans and friends.

July 1, 2013. 13-529, # 18 While a couple were climbing in Clark Canyon, the female, who had a right hip replacement two years ago, attempted a vertical climbing move which caused the replacement to dislocate.

She experienced extreme pain and was unable to continue the climb.

Her partner lowered her to the base of the route, but she was unable to weight the injury and was unable to move due to pain.

911 was called via cell phone, and Mono County Paramedics and the SAR Team were dispatched to the site at UTM 330516, 4182332.

The victim was splinted and stabilized in a wheeled litter, lowered down a pumice approach trail, and transported by Paramedic ambulance to the hospital for further treatment.

Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Corning, Dodson, French, Guffey, Holmquist, Maroti, Vetter, Endo, G. Goryl, Mahoney, Soto, and Beck.

July 4, 2013 - Fourth Of July Parade with Dori Leyen

On July 5, the Team conducted a Preventive SAR (PSAR) activity at the Forest Service Shady Rest campground. PSAR is part of our mission. As opportunities occur, we do presentations to civic clubs and other organizations. This event was a great success with over 30 in attendance, including adults and children of all ages, visiting the Eastern Sierra for a variety of vacationing activities.

Glenn Goryl presented the campfire talk and covered topics such as "What to bring on a hike," "What type and color of clothing should you wear," "What to do if you get lost," and "Safest drinking water in a backcountry emergency." Glenn told stories of actual search and rescues the team has been involved in.

There were many questions from adults and kids alike, and the talk, which was scheduled to take 30 minutes, went well over an hour with a very interested and engaged audience. In addition to the Q&A sessions, there was a tour of Rescue 3, showing gear needed for medical emergencies, overnight searches, snow rescues, water rescues, and technical raising and lowering.

The attendees had a chance to see the equipment close up and ask questions and see Glenn demonstrate uses of rescue equipment. A warm thank you goes out to the folks at Shady Rest who organized the event and allowed us to gather in the amphitheater area.

July 6-7, 2013. 13-566, #19 The night of Saturday, July 6, the Team responded to a report of two overdue rock climbers. A husband and wife from Oakland (ages 31 and 32) attempted a climb of the Northeast gully of Laurel Mountain, but failed to return that day, and were reported overdue by friends.

The Team attempted to determine the location of the climbers that night via light signals from the lake, and also drove the Laurel Lakes road in case the party was descending in that direction. Neither team met with success.

The team staged at Convict Lake on Sunday morning, and scanned the cliffs with spotting scopes and binoculars from the lake, while two teams hiked or drove to high points for additional searching. A climbing team began ascending the route, while another ascended the other side of Laurel Mountain for additional searching from above.

After four hours of searching, the overdue climbers were seen by spotting scope from Convict Lake. The party was off-route and halfway up the mountain. The SAR climbers were vectored toward the party. At this time a National Guard helicopter Spartan 622 from Sacramento arrived on scene, and was able to hoist the overdue climbers off the mountain. They were dehydrated but not injured.

The climbing in the Northeast Gully is not technically difficult, but the route is long and requires good route finding skills and experience with alpine climbing. Off route, the rock becomes loose and the terrain is much steeper. There have been two other rescues on this route in the last ten years due to climbers becoming stranded in steep, loose terrain.

Climbers are advised not to be deceived by the low technical rating in guidebooks, and to gain experience on shorter alpine routes before attempting this climb. Responders were: DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Dodson, G Goryl, French, Case, C. Schilz, Endo, Gilbreath, Beck, Guffey, A. Goryl, Leyen, Porges, Scotese, J. Rousek, Vetter, Corning, Genevieve, B. Schilz, and Barnum.

See similar rescue in July 2003.

July 15, 2013. 13-612, #20 The SAR team responded to assist White Mountain Fire with an ill hiker on the Spark Plug Mine trail below White Mountain Peak. A twelve year old girl was reported as suffering from mountain sickness by the adult (52) in her hiking party from Beverly Hills.

White Mountain Fire had dispatched an EMT to the scene, and he reported that the girl, adult, and another girl (10) were about two hundred yards up the trail, having hiked 3.5 miles on the road to the trailhead from near White Mountain Ranch on Hwy 6.

The group had sought shelter from the sun at a pinyon pine above the trail and the girls were unable to descend. The party was about 80 vertical feet above level ground on a steep slope with loose rock and scree.

The SAR team climbed to the party's location, assessed the patient, who had since recovered, and rigged a lowering system with a main and belay line. Each of the party was lowered with an attendant, and the team then descended the slope.

The girl who had been ill was able to walk to the trailhead without assistance. Responders were: Schmidt (Ops), Holmquist (Ops), Greene, Barnum, Robertson, Guffey, Dodson, Porges, and Case.

July 15, 2013. 13-???, #21 The Team responded in aid of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department in searching for a missing boy with Down Syndrome. The subject was located while Team members were enroute. Responders were: Corning, Greene, Guffey, Dodson, Porges, Robertson,French and Vetter.

July 20-21, 2013. 13-636, #22 A father (52) and son (22) from Clovis, California were backpacking from Lake Edison to Tuolumne Meadows when the father became ill and activated their SPOT emergency notification device during the night of July 20.

The Team responded and hiked through the night toward the location indicated by the SPOT on the John Muir Trail near Rush Creek. They interviewed other hikers who had helped the ill man cope with dehydration and nausea. Helicopter 551 from Yosemite National Park was able to land near the subject, evaluated him medically, and evacuated him to Crane Flat in the Park. The son hiked out to Tuolumne Meadows. Responders were: Vetter (Ops), Endo, G. Goryl, Dodson, Corning, and DeGeorge.

July 27, 2013. No case number, #23 A hiker was reported overdue on a hike from Agnew Meadows to Garnet Lake. The subject showed up 6 minutes after the ops leader was notified at 2148. Responder: Greene (Ops).

July 28, 2013. 13-663, #24 A 67 year-old fisherman from the Los Angeles area became separated from his family at Skelton Lake and was reported overdue. He was located on the opposite side of the lake while the SAR team was en route. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Dodson, G. Goryl, C. Schilz, and B. Schilz.

July 29, 2013. 13-668, #25 The Team was called out for a hiker experiencing chest pains near Summit Lake, about 4 miles from the Virginia Lakes trailhead. The 61 year old backpacker began experiencing chest pains around midnight and pressed the 911 emergency button on his SPOT device in the morning.

The SAR team, along with personnel from Yosemite Search and Rescue, hiked into the area with emergency medical equipment. The Yosemite National Park helicopter was requested for a medical extraction. The Team and helicopter reached the backpacker, evaluated his medical condition, and then flew him to the Mammoth Lakes airport where he was taken by paramedics to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Barnum, Dodson, Beck, Endo, Leyen, and G. Goryl.

July 30, 2013. 13-685, #26 A 48 year old woman sustained a cut ankle. Devils Postpile was notified by the SAR ops leader, and they sent personnel to him. He walked out with them. Responder: Greene (Ops).

August

August 3, 2013 13-695, #27 On Saturday, August 3, 2013, a family of four from Cathedral City went on a day hike to Rainbow Falls west of Mammoth Lakes. While returning from Rainbow Falls they took a wrong trail and ended up a couple of miles south of the trailhead and without water. An 18 year old daughter became dehydrated so the family called for help.

The SAR team responded, along with personnel from Devils Postpile National Monument. The family was met by rescue personnel a short distance from the Rainbow Falls trailhead. She was provided with fluids and did not require further medical treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Dodson, Guffey, A. Goryl, Robertson, Holmquist, Schmidt, G. Goryl, Mahoney, and Barnum.

August 8, 2013. 13-713, #28 A group from the Los Angeles area went for a day hike to Emerald Lake. A 60 year old female suffered a possible broken ankle, so the group called the Mono County Sheriffs Department for help. The SAR Team, along with personnel from the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, responded to her location. She was transported to the trailhead with a wheeled litter. Members of her group transported her to Mammoth Hospital for further treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, French, G. Goryl, A. Goryl.

August 17-18, 2013 13-752, #29 On Saturday two climbers from the Bay area were ascending Clyde Minaret. About 200 feet above the climb base, while placing protection into the rock, the leader took a fall of 30 feet or more.

He impacted the rock with his knee and left arm sustaining what he believed to be a fracture above the wrist. He was in a great deal of pain and unable to continue the climb.

He was lowered back to the belay point by the reporting party (RP) who then called 911.

Fifteen Team members responded to Minaret Vista.

Madera County was contacted and confirmed mutual aid protocols requesting ground and air support for the rescue.

CalOES was contacted (OES # 2013-LAW-0180) and obtained air support from the Army Air National Guard unit at Mather AFB.

A Blackhawk helicopter responded but was unable to hoist the victim and RP off of the climbing route due to the proximity of steep terrain.

The helicopter then transported a medical climbing team to the area. The team was able to climb the route to the injured subject.

Following a medical assessment and splinting, the victim and RP were lowered to the base of the route.

One Team member group stayed overnight at Cecile Lake while the rest hiked out.

The next morning, the helicopter returned and transported them to Minaret Vista where Mono County paramedics took the victim to Mammoth Hospital for further treatment.

Responders were: Greene (Ops), DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist, Endo, Robertson, A. Goryl, G. Goryl, Porges, French, Dodson, Maroti, Gilbreath, Beck, and Guffey.

August 18, 2013 - Golf Tournament Fund Raiser

Our main fund raising activity is the annual golf tournament at Snowcreek. Despite having two callouts that day (August 18), the tournament went off quite well, thanks to support from Team members filling in for those in the field.  We had great support from the Eastern Sierra community, with a full field of players, lots of hole sponsors and raffle prize donations.

Rick Dodson and his committee of tournament organizers spent a lot of time promoting the tournament, signing up players and hole sponsors.  Nobody knows how many hours or work and lost sleep Rick put into making this the most successful year with about $15,000 received.

August 18-19, 2013. 13-754, #30 A 51-year old Reno man fell while scrambling over rocky terrain near the Marie Lakes, south of Yosemite and west of June Lake. The fall resulted in a groin injury and external bleeding. His friend hiked to locate persons with cell phones who were able to alert the Mono County Sheriffs Office, and the SAR team was activated.

Three SAR team members, carrying medical supplies and a wheeled litter, began hiking to the patient's location at 5 AM on the 18th.

A Blackhawk helicopter and crew from Mather National Guard were requested. Mammoth Fire provided a water tender to wet down the landing zone at Minaret Vista. At 10 AM the Blackhawk, with two SAR team members on board, was dispatched to the Marie Lakes to attempt to locate, assess, and transport the patient. Two additional SAR field teams were launched to help the first SAR ground team with their heavy equipment.

One team was inserted by the Blackhawk, and a second began hiking in from June Lake. The extrication was successful, and the patient was transferred at Minaret Vista to Mono County paramedics for further transport. CHP Helicopter H-40 became available and was able to retrieve the heavily-laden SAR team and their gear, while the other two SAR teams hiked out to the trailhead. Responders were: DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist (Ops), Greene, G Goryl, Beck, Wirken, A Goryl, Guffey, Endo, French, Hartstrom, Schmidt, Robertson, Dodson, Barnum, Hall, Mahoney, Vetter, and Corning.

August 19-20, 2013. 13-762, #31 On the morning of August 19, the Sheriff's Office received a call from a group of hikers who had been camped at the southwest end of Thousand Island Lake. They reported having heard shouts of "help" coming from the North Glacier Pass area the previous night. All eight in their party were sure that someone was calling for help about every 30 seconds, and that this continued for about 40 minutes until nightfall.

The group had encountered a couple hiking up North Glacier Pass as they descended after attempting Mt. Davis. The couple indicated they were planning to camp at Lake Catherine. The reporting party (RP) group speculated that the calls were coming from one of the two, but did not investigate due to fatigue, wet rock and darkness.

Two Mono SAR teams were sent in, one on the River trail, and one on the Shadow Creek trail to interview hikers coming out of the Thousand Island Lake area, and to search the North Glacier Pass area. CHP helicopter H40 did extensive air searching of the North Glacier Pass and Lake Catherine areas.

Team 1 spent the night at Garnet Lake in a rainstorm, and continued to the top of North Glacier Pass on August 20. No clues or victims were found, and there have been no new missing person reports for that area. Responders were: Corning (Ops), DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist, G. Goryl, Gilbreath, Dodson, Guffey, Maroti, Barnum, Hall, Greene, Beck, A. Goryl, and Vetter.

August 21-22, 2013. 13-772, #32 Mutual Aid to Inyo County. A Bishop resident failed to return from a solo hike in the East Fork of Rock Creek on August 20. Ground teams searched that night and the next two days, with helicopter support. The victim was found deceased on August 22 in a chute near 13,000 feet on the high ridge northeast of the Tamarack Lakes. The remains were recovered the next day. Mono County responders were: Holmquist, Beck, Scotese, Dodson, Guffey, G. Goryl, Gilbreath, and DeGeorge.

August 23, 2013, 13-778. #33 At 0755, the duty officer from California Office of Emergency Services (CALOES) contacted the Sheriff's Department reporting an emergency personal locator beacon activation. The beacon had been activated at 0335 and sent a distress signal 12 times to AFRCC. The location was the Lobdell Lake area. The owner of the beacon is a 44 YOM from Lodi, CA. Contact was made with the subject's wife who confirmed he was on a deer hunting trip. She did not believe it was an emergency as the two had been communicating by satellite text through the device just the prior evening. California Highway Patrol helicopter H20 was requested from Auburn Air Ops. Sheriff officers drove into the Lobdell Lake area and located the subject at 1055. He was not injured and in no need of help or in distress. A check of his Delorme PLB (in his backpack) showed the safety switch lock was disengaged and that it was an accidental activation. The CHP helicopter response was canceled. Responders were: Sgt. Minder (IC), and DeGeorge (Ops).

August 29-30, 2013. 13-813, #34 A 59-year old Berkeley, California hiker wandered slightly off route while hiking up the poorly-defined trail from Lundy Canyon to Helen Lake in the Saddlebag Lake area. She fell while scrambling, injuring her leg. She continued scrambling to a relatively flat area on a ridge above Helen Lake and activated her personal locator beacon.

The SAR team and a Seahawk helicopter and crew from Fallon Naval Air Station were activated. Ground teams were sent into the area to locate the patient, and staff from Saddlebag Lake resort also searched independently. The Navy crew saw the patient signaling with a flashlight, lowered a crew member, and then hoisted both for return to base at Lee Vining Airport. The hiker was treated at Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: DeGeorge (IC), Holmquist (Ops), Greene, Schmidt, Gilbreath, Beck, and Barnum.

On August 31, the Team conducted a Preventive SAR (PSAR) activity. Members of the Search and Rescue team, Natai Endo and Glenn Goryl, gave a talk at the Oh Ridge Amphitheater overlooking June Lake on what the team does and how people can stay safe in the wilderness. The talk lasted over an hour and covered topics from technical rescue, first aid, tracking, and searching.

Members gave accounts of mission experience including both searches and rescues as well as a guided tour of Rescue 3 and all its equipment. The team answered numerous questions, and the event coordinator handed out whistles to the kids.

September

September 1, 2013. 13-820, #35 A 60 year old hiker from Heber City, Utah sustained a very painful ankle injury near the Marie Lakes and was unable to walk. A nearby trail crew reported the situation. SAR ground teams were started from Silver Lake, and California Highway Patrol helicopter H40 from Fresno was requested. The helicopter was able to land in the general area, and the trail crew carried the hiker to the helicopter. The patient was flown to Mammoth airport, then taken to Mammoth Hospital by Mono County paramedics. Mammoth Lakes Fire also provided support by watering the Minaret Vista LZ. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), DeGeorge (IC), Glenn Goryl, Endo, Case, Vetter, Greene, and Gilbreath.

September 5-6, 2013. 13-837, #36 On September 5, Sheriff Dispatch received a satellite phone call from a physician saying that he had encountered a 62 year old man with symptoms of AMS near the junction of the JMT and Rush Creek trails. The Team was activated at 4:45 PM. A hasty medical team started in from Silver Lake, followed by two other teams with litter and extra oxygen. The doctor on scene called again to say the subject was losing consciousness. Just before dark, the crew of CHP helicopter H20 was able to land about a mile from the subject and hiked to his location. A Seahawk helicopter from Fallon NAS responded to the area, but was unable to communicate by radio or cell phone. They reported via their base command that they did not have enough lift above the subject to do a hoist. They saw H20 on the ground and assumed it was Careflight, and returned to base. The H20 crew, with the assistance of other hikers and the subject's son carried him to the helicopter. He was flown to Mammoth airport where Mono County paramedics transported him by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital. He was transferred to Renown Hospital in Reno two hours later. Responders were: Corning (Ops), DeGeorge (IC), Vetter, Holmquist, Schmidt, Gilbreath, Buccowich, G. Goryl, Dodson, Barnum, French, A. Goryl, Endo, Guffey, and Greene.

September 7-8, 2013. MLPD, #37 The team was called out just before midnight to assist Mammoth Lakes Police Department in searching for a missing three year old. The three year old had been dropped off by the mother at a babysitter. The babysitter went upstairs for a minute and when she came downstairs the child was gone. The team and MLFD personnel searched for the child in the area around town. Low confidence pings from the mother's cell phone put her in the Sherwin Creek area, and team members began searching trailheads off of Sherwin Creek Road as there was a possibility that the mother had come and picked up the child without telling the babysitter. Pings of the father's cell phone showed he was camping in the Twin Lakes area. MLPD located the campsite, and found the child there with her mother. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Thompson, Holmquist, Case, C. Schilz, G. Goryl, A. Goryl, and Barnum.

Fall Century Bike Ride - September 7 Team members, under the leadership of Dori Leyen, served the community by operating the Black Lake "refueling station" for the ride.

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We Get Letters - WHY WE DO SAR

I can't thank you again enough for helping us. I was soooo grateful to see a helicopter. I appreciate your checking on me. I'm so grateful for your response or who knows what would be. They took my phone on a hill (WEST) to call and it worked. They wondered if the helicopter went there from the GPS coordinates to find us. Since then, they moved me (North) to a landing spot. They used an orange shirt to wave and a blue and a silver/orange blanket to spot us. I am just thankful the smoke, weather, daylight and wind cooperated to be able to get to me. I prayed for help and got lots of angels. THANK YOU, VERY SINCERELY.

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I can't say enough to express my gratitude for the work you and the responders did on my behalf. The recap of the operation was very interesting - I did not realize that so many responders were involved in the operation. What you guys do is amazing & inspiring - 24 hour response to emergency requests, getting to trail heads at 5 AM to hike miles into the High Sierra at a moment's notice with all that gear, all to help someone you don't know but you know is counting on you. My friend and I were blown away at the response for help, and both of us realize that what the responders do is extraordinary.

I have more than a dozen backpacking trips into the highest elevations of the Sierra, and even as a younger man who was in top physical shape I know how arduous those trips can be in the extreme heat and dangerous thunderstorm conditions that seem to prevail so often in that area of the Sierra. And for the responders to tackle such a task when I know the prior night's sleep was drastically cut short due to the late emergency call is all the more impressive.

Simply put, all the responders have my utmost respect and admiration. I'm going to put my money where my mouth is and will be supporting this organization now and in the future. I have enjoyed so many trips in the Sierra and I think it's great that this organization is there for those of us who have had accidents while on such a trip. I hope the success of this operation inspires the responders to continue their incredible service.

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September 30-October 1, 2013. 13-936, #38 On the evening of September 30 the Sheriff's Office received a call reporting a possible aircraft crash near Mono Village. Campers there reported seeing an object trailing three plumes of smoke fly overhead at high speed and then drop quickly. They did not hear any engine noise, but reported hearing a boom which at first they thought was a car door slamming. A bit later they saw intermittent plumes of what appeared to be white smoke rising from the Matterhorn peak area and reported the sighting to the Mono Village staff, who called the Sheriff's Office. A SAR member was dispatched with an ELT receiver which can home on an aircraft's emergency beacon, but no signal was detected. An officer was dispatched with an infra-red heat detection device but the results were inconclusive. On October 1, three SAR teams were sent into the field with ELT receivers to look for signals from various locations, including Tuolumne Meadows. CHP helicopter H20 did an extensive air search of the area with no findings. Since no aircraft have been reported missing or overdue the search has been suspended. It is speculated that the objects seen may have been meteor fragments or space debris, and the plumes of smoke could have been steam generated from these objects hitting the glaciers or snow fields in the area. Responders were: Corning (Ops), Beck, Holmquist, Dodson, Guffey, and Hall.

October

A quiet month with no operations

November

A quiet month with no operations

Search and Rescue team gets new digs

A Place to Call Home: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team dedicates new building.

On Saturday, November 23, 2013, the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team welcomed the local community, distinguished donors and guests to the dedication and open house of their new building. Because of all the donations that have been made over recent years, the new SAR building was made possible.

As the dedication event started, SAR Team President, Dan Corning, took the stage, welcomed the roomful of guests, and simply said, "We couldn't have done this without you."

He introduced the first speaker, Sheriff Ralph Obenberger. "I would like to welcome each and every one of you to a very special day in the history of the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team.

The SAR Team is a fantastic group of individuals that put their safety at risk, not to be patted on the back, but just to help someone in need. I am very proud to call the SAR Team an integral part of the Sheriff's Department.

I would like to thank all the donors, whether you donated monetarily; with your building expertise; or in any other way. This project could not have been done without you."

Thanks were definitely the theme of the event. SAR Team Vice President, Jutta Schmidt, took the stage and said, "Today is all about thanks.

Thank you everyone for making this possible. We've been in the building for a year and still can't believe this is our home.

I'm glad this event fell near Thanksgiving - what a perfect way to give thanks.

We have to say thank you to the Mammoth Community Water District for the land lease. You can't have a building without a place to put it.

Thank you to all the donors whether you gave monetarily or via space, food, ideas and time. It's amazing what people are willing to do to help.

Thank you to our major donors including Arthur B. and Erik B. Schultz for their $250,000 matching grant and to Bill and Bev Langston for their $200,000 donation.

It is gratifying to have support of a community like ours. Every dollar or penny or act matters. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Supervisor Byng Hunt, of the Mono County Board of Supervisors, said a few words, "The Mono County Board of Supervisors recently approved a new vehicle purchase for the SAR Team from funds of the old sprung structure. Personally, and on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, thank you! Thank you to an amazing job well done. For a volunteer organization, you can't be beat."

To finish off the speaking portion of the event, Greg Dallas of MMSA stood up, "This team puts millions of hours into training and in the field, nothing deters them. They get up and respond to each and every call. There is no team more deserving of having a 'home.'

It is a comforting feeling for the team support to their community. Your fundraising efforts, and the fact you got this building accomplished, is a true testament to what you do out there."

All SAR Team members, community members, distinguished donors and guests gathered outside for the official rope cutting ceremony (yes, rope not ribbon - this is SAR after all).

The rope was cut and the dedication of the SAR building concluded with lunch, provided by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), great conversation, and many more thank-you's.

This video is a composite of most of the dedication speeches filmed by Jim Gilbreath. Unfortunately, Sheriff Ralph Obenberger's remarks were not captured. This video also includes the complete video remarks from Eric and Arthur Schultz.

Click here for Pictures Of Building Construction

Check out Moving In Day Pictures

November 30, 2013 - First Aid Training

Learning how to assess the patient's condition.

December

A quiet month with no operations

On December 11, the team elected new Board members. Re-elected were Jon Robertson, Rick Dodson and Heidi Vetter. Glenn Goryl was elected to replace retiring Marie French. Marie will continue to assist the team with some administrative duties.

December 11, 2013 - Lake Ice Rescue Classroom Training with Pete DeGeorge

End of The Year Awards Party

On December 14, the team held its Annual Awards Party with a potluck dinner at the SAR building. Dori Leyen oversaw the arrangements and all had a fine feast. Barry Beck assisted by Jon Robertson presented his annual Review of The Year video.

Each year, the Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service.

The Team's highest honor, election to status as a Lifetime Member, is only rarely conferred by the Team to a Rescue Member who has made unusual, faithful, and regular contributions to the Team and to the welfare of victims over a significant number of years.

Steve Case received this high honor at this year's awards dinner.

Steve joined the Team in 1992, and has the longest tenure of any current member. Since 1995, records show that Steve has participated in 175 search or rescue missions, 161 trainings, and 175 meetings, for a total of 508 Team events. This is an enormous voluntary commitment of time and talent to the County and the Team.

Steve has faithfully served the Team in a wide variety of roles, including Board member and as trainer for new members. He is very versatile and dependable, and has consistently been eager to accept difficult field assignments in any weather.

Two awards are given by the Team each year to honor members who have excelled.

The team's primary 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 for 2013 is Heidi Vetter. Heidi serves the Team as a member of the Board of Directors and as an Operations Leader. She participated in 35 Team events in 2013. Since 2008, Heidi has served the Team and Mono County on 177 Team events, including 48 rescues and searches. She has a wide variety of leading and organizing skills, and is a key player in everything the Team does.

New members in training are called Candidate Members, and must undergo training, practice, and testing in eighteen skill categories 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 computers, radios, avalanche transceivers, and GPS receivers. Completion of all requirements takes a lot of dedication and faithfulness over a period that is typically a year or more.

The team honors one candidate member each year with the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year Award. Rick Mosher is the only team member to have died in the line of duty and was killed while searching in a small airplane that crashed during an operation on August 15, 1979.

This year the team selected Glenn Goryl as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Glenn has been very active and faithful in his training and rescue operations, and has devoted a lot of personal time to Team projects and public awareness. He completed all his training requirements for Rescue Member in less than the minimum time. Since beginning his training in April of 2013, he has participated in 53 Team events and 19 rescues and searches.

The 2013 honorees were presented with laser engraved cherry wood plaques. Congratulations!

These three plaques list the Pete Schoerner Member of the Year, Rick Mosher Candidate of the Year and Life/Lifetime Members as of December 10, 2013.

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