Michael Habicht Pictures - Ritter Rescue
August 31-September 1, 2003 - Page 2 of 2

Michael Habicht of El Segundo, CA came to the aid of Doug Nolan and Marcos Brundall. He took these pictures and kindly shared them with Mono SAR. There were numerous weather delays with the helicopter ... it just had to sit on the ground and wait at times ... but eventually both victims were retrieved. They were picked up on the end of a line and short hauled to a spot where the helicopter could land and put them aboard for the flight to Mammoth Airport.

The helicopter is looking for a good place to drop off the Yosemite SAR team
The helicopter is looking for a good place to drop off the Yosemite SAR team
A very dramatic entrance for YOSAR
A very dramatic entrance for YOSAR
These guys landed with crampons on and 150lbs of gear!
These guys landed with crampons on and 150lbs of gear!
CLOSER!!
CLOSER!!
Touchdown!!!!!!
Touchdown!!!!!!
YOSAR member getting very close
YOSAR member getting very close
Packing up Doug around 11 a.m.
Packing up Doug around 11 a.m.
Dragging the litter up the hill. Notice the rocks on the glacier. That's because lightning hit Ritter at 8 a.m.!
Dragging the litter up the hill. Notice the rocks on the glacier.
That's because lightning hit Ritter at 8 a.m.!
Lifting out Doug
Lifting out Doug
Final notes exchanged between the Mono SAR and the YOSAR teams
Final notes exchanged between the Mono SAR and the YOSAR teams
The helicopter is 60 feet overhead and about 30 feet from a cliff!
The helicopter is 60 feet overhead and about 30 feet from a cliff!
Marcos gets a free ride!!
Marcos gets a free ride!!
up up up up...
up up up up...
and away!!!
and away!!!
Michael Habicht, Jeff Holmquist and Craig Knoche (Composite Photo)
Michael Habicht, Jeff Holmquist and Craig Knoche