RMRU NEWSLETTER Mission Reviews: July 2014 - March 2015 Mission Reviews Instruction- July 2014 - March 2015 -What If everything goes wrong... How will you be found? -The 10 Essential Systems. Updated must have gear on every outing The following pages contain a RMRU Training selection of first hand accounts -Annual Helicopter Certification of RMRU missions written by the team members involved.

First Quarter 2015 1 ABOUT RIVERSIDE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT

FOUNDED 1961 MEMBER MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASSOCIATION 1963 GOVERNING BODY: RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

MEMBERS: ORIGINAL: 6 | CURRENT MEMBERS: 32 ANNUAL BUDGET: ORIGINAL $200 | CURRENT $15,000 MISSIONS: TOTAL OVER 2,000 | AVERAGE PER MONTH: 3.33

The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit is a group of volunteers trained and ready to respond to wilder- ness emergencies. At any hour of the day, law enforcement agencies, national park and military officials may call upon the Unit to aid an unfortunate victim. The unit is on constant alert, via text messages, to search for and effect the rescue of hikers, skiers, rock climbers and outdoorsmen whenever and wherev- er tragedy strikes. The unit performs about 95% of its missions in Riverside County. However, it has trav- eled south into Mexico, north into the High Sierras and into Nevada to accomplish its lifesaving missions.

The unit is currently comprised of 32 volunteers, who literally come from all walks of life. They regularly RIVERSIDE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT leave their jobs (or in the middle of the night, their warm beds) to respond to a call for help. They do not receive remuneration for time given to search and rescue. The members make up a small, but spirited, group of mountaineers who spend one weekend each month training to sharpen their rescue skills. Each member must provide all of thier own equipment at a cost of more than $2,500. Beside acting as highly competent rescue workers, members also work closely with schools, clubs, church groups, and Scout troops throughout the area to teach mountain safety. The ounce of prevention may well prevent the untimely pound of cure.

On the Cover...

Looking up the permanent snow / ice field. Mt. Ritter 13,150 ‘ and Banner Peak 12,942 ‘ Top of the permanent snow / ice field. In the far Elevation about 12,000 feet with permanent snow / ice field between distance center Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort In August 2014, at an elevation of almost 12,000 feet , a mountaineer on the permanent snow / ice field between Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter in the High Sierras west of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. Notice the large number of rocks and boulders on the snow. Within 15 minutes of taking this photo, at least 50 rocks in size from a few inches to over 4 feet careened down this slope which originated from the snow chute on the upper right. Fortunately the climber was at the base of this snow / ice field where this photo was taken. The climber was wearing a helmet, used crampons and ice axe on this ice slope.

TIP: When hiking or climbing it is critically important to understand your surroundings and the equipment and skills necessary for safe travel. Stop Think, Observe, Plan (STOP) is a great acronym to remember be- fore a trek as well as when on an outing. RMRU NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE

MISSION REVIEWS July 2014 - March 2015 Page 4 ANNUAL HELICOPTER CERTIFICATON - Summary of our required annual helitac certification Page 8 INSTRUCTION WHAT IF.. Everything goes wrong. How will you be found? Page 14 THE 10 ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS - Gear you should always carry - Focus on Illumination Page 22

RIVERSIDE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT President’s Message Last March marked my 20th training activity. Come check us Response Team (SERT). The anniversary as a volunteer of out at one of our meetings held RMRU Recruitment Committee Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit the first Wednesday of each has been tasked with creating (RMRU). This time has provided month at the Hemet Sheriff’s a professional presentation for many memorable and rewarding Department. The contact infor- use at Recruitment event. This moments helping hikers and mation is located on the back of presentation will be used with climbers in distress as well as this newsletter. I look forward to other recruitment event items, the personal close friendships meeting you! specifically our vehicle and developed with other members RMRU EZ-UP. My goal is we of the team. In 2014, RMRU was called out will conduct recruitment events on missions averaging nearly at least quarterly. We are always looking for new 1 per week. Considering this team members and hope you strong mission level, as presi- To add interested candidates to will consider joining our team. dent my primary goal for 2015 the team quickly, I have also Prospective members need not is to increase team member- been working closely with RSO have background in backpack- ship to at least 50 active and to expedite the background pro- ing and mountaineering. Month- trained members capable of cess for new team members to ly trainings are required for all responding to missions. To join our team. members and these trainings help achieve this goal I have will assist you in learning the created a Recruitment Com- My second goal is to continue skills necessary to participate in mittee with RMRU along with our rigorous and specialized our search and rescue activities. one person on the Search and training for our new and current As we are part of the Riverside Rescue (SAR) Council, which members so we can safely and County Sheriff’s department, a I have been a member since effectively use our skills during a comprehensive background its creation almost two years mission. check is required before you ago. The SAR Council is di- can participate in any rescue or rected by Sheriff’s Emergency Rob May President RMRU 3 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Mission Reviews July 2014 - March 2015

The following pages contain a selection of first hand accounts of RMRU missions written by the team members involved.

RMRU volunteers are on call 24/7, to search for and rescue hikers, skiers, rock climbers, and outdoorsmen whenever and wherever needed.

Mt. Baldy Missing Hiker tain Rescue who were still in route. to get picked up at an LZ and support February 11, 2015 the extraction. With winds quickly Shortly after my arrival, an elderly approaching, a Cal Fire Helicopter San Gabriel Mountains man was spotted in the vicinity of Written by Kevin Kearn with paramedic already on board was Goode Canyon, where my newly tasked to support the mission. Still RMRU responded to an Office of formed team, once assembled, was unsure if winds would allow the hoist, Emergency Services (OES) request to search next. Things evolved quick- I joined the freshly arrived team from to assist the San Bernardino County ly after some initial difficulty verify- Sierra Madre that was staging to Sheriff on Wednesday morning. San ing that the elderly man was indeed quickly move up the Baldy trail and Bernardino SAR teams were searching our subject. While descending, he then descend to the subject in Goode for a 72-year old missing male in the Canyon ahead of teams that were re- vicinity of the southern side of Mt San directed and approaching from below. Antonio (Elevation 10,068’, AKA “Mt “While descending, he apparently Baldy”). He was out hiking with his missed the turn off the western Fortunately for everyone, the pilots brother on Tuesday when the two got ridge on the Mt Baldy Trail that fol- were able to hoist the subject before separated on the way down in late af- lows into the draw toward the green the winds made it in impossible. We ternoon. His 70 yr-old brother walked ski hut.” returned from our staging area and out at 6:30am Wednesday morning the subject was reunited with his after rescuers had searched all night RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN family at the command post at 1230 for the two. hours. Both of the brothers were apparently missed the turn off the exhausted but in good condition. I was the only RMRU team member western ridge on the Mt Baldy Trail able to respond and it was difficult to that follows into the draw toward RMRU Members Involved: get through morning LA traffic to the the green ski hut. Instead, he drifted Kevin Kearn Sheriff’s command post established down the north slope of the ridge into at the Manker Flats Fire Station. The the heights above Goode Canyon. weather was clear and temperatures Before the slope he was on became TIP “Check your Six” were in the 60s. Although winds too steep for him to safely descend As you hike either on a trail or seemed light, they were increasing as any further, he stopped, exhausted in off one, frequently look back on Santa Ana winds were expected later this spot. in the day. I checked into the com- where you came. Look for key mand post at 10:00am and was put The helicopter on station that spot- local features especially trail on standby. At least 8 teams were in ted him did not have a hoist, so while junctions. Often these only lead the field and I would join up with three coordinating for a hoist-equipped to view points, continuing could personnel from Sierra Madre Moun- aircraft, I was redirected to prepare lead down a streep gully. 4 RMRU NEWSLETTER

prepared with food and water, with Stuck Hikers above temps in the low 70’s. Special thanks to Both subjects were instructed how the Tin Canyon Trail our Deputy’s on the ground as well as hoist would work and then hoisted up January 25, 2015 well as our Sheriff’s Aviation! Corona, Ca RMRU Members Involved: Written by Cameron Dickinson Cameron Dickinson On a Sunday afternoon I received a call Sheriff’s Aviation: Chad Marlett (Pilot), from our Call Captain asking whether Eric Hannum (TFO) or not I can respond quickly to a hoist mission to rescue 4 individuals stuck on a steep hill above Tin Canyon Trail in Co- Rescue Couple & 2 Dogs rona. I was, and within a couple minutes January 16, 2015 one at a time. I was out the door on the road heading Tramway Area I then placed our little K9 friends into a over to the Skyline Trailhead. Written by Dana Potts Rope Bag for the ride up into the heli- copter. They seemed happy enough in I arrived with two awaiting Deputy’s at On Friday afternoon at approximately the Rope Bag and just stayed there until the Trailhead. As I was waiting for the 1:30 P.M. RMRU was called out to the the helicopter returned to base. Sheriff’s helicopter, I was able to obtain Skyline Trail in South Corona. A local information on the 4 stuck hikers. couple had hiked up the canyon from RMRU Members involved: There were 4 male hikers in their late the trailhead in search of a waterfall. Dana Potts. teens that were traversing the hillside Along with them were their two small above the Tin Canyon Mine, and found dogs. Once the couple had arrived near themselves on a steep hillside that they the end of the canyon, they began to Missing Woman were unable to hike out of. At that point hike up what appeared to be a previous- January 06, 2015 one of the hikers was able to call 911 for ly used trail. After a short hike up, they Big Bear Lake help. found themselves perched upon a small Written by Kevin Kearn rocky ledge barely big enough for the couple. They then found that climbing RMRU responded to an Office of Emer- back down with the two dogs was too gency Services (OES) request to assist difficult for them and subsequently the San Bernardino County Sheriff on dialed 9-1-1. Tuesday January 6. San Bernardino SAR teams were searching for a 35-year A short time later RMRU member Dana, old missing female in the vicinity of the a Corona resident, responded from his Fawnskin Interpretive Trail in the vicinity home and within 15 minutes was at base of the north shore of Big Bear City. The camp. Dana met with the Riverside woman, Lisa Ann Cimbaluk, of Irvine, Sheriff’s helicopter that was waiting at had been reported missing by her family the base of the hill. The air crew again on January 29, prior to the snowstorm Not long after, the Sheriff’s helicopter demonstrated their expertise by lower- of January 30. Almost a week later, on had arrived and landed in an adjacent ing Dana on a 5 foot by 5 foot piece of Sunday January 4, her snow covered field. I met with pilot and TFO, load- hillside. The area around him was loose car was located at the trailhead. San ed up my backpack with four rescue rock and dirt with large bushes and Bernardino Sherriff Deputies and SAR suits/helmets, and hopped aboard the trees. personnel already searched the one- aircraft. Our pilot knew exactly where mile trail without any sign of her Sunday our subjects were located, as they and Monday. circled the area previously. Our subjects were able to safely position themselves I then placed our little K9 friends into RMRU team members, Glenn and Matt between some thick heavy bushes on a Rope Bag for the ride up into the drove up with the truck and met myself the upslope of the hill. Once we were helicopter. They seemed happy enough at the Sherriff’s command post estab- overhead, I was lowered down to our in the Rope Bag and just stayed there lished in the North Shore Parking Lot at subjects. Two individuals were hoisted until the helicopter returned to base. 0700. The weather was clear and tem- out, followed by the other two including peratures were initially in the low 20s; myself. RMRU RESCUER DANA POTTS Big Bear Lake appeared frozen over but a sign read, “Do Not Walk on the Ice.” The four subjects were safely extracted Deputies briefed us along with approxi- out, and in good condition. They came mately 30 other searchers 5 RMRU NEWSLETTER

before assigning everyone to search the trailhead parking lot. Although the find them quickly and be able to still have teams. They planned to conduct a grid dog stopped several times, there were no this training as schedule. The adrenaline search of the area and RMRU was as- definitive signs of our subject. is starting to kick in and it is time to roll. signed to search a sector just west of the I was the first on scene from RMRU fol- trailhead with three members of a San Deputies ceased search efforts when the lowed almost immediately by Cameron, Bernardino Team. There were at least sun set at 1700. Although search teams Glenn, Donny and Carlos. When I arrived, five other teams searching other sectors found some clothing and miscellaneous several RSO Deputies and US Forest and several aircraft also supporting the items, nothing belonged to the Ms. Cim- Service were already at the trail head. We baluk. We initially planned to continue also had the luxury of an RSO Aviation supporting the search Wednesday. Glenn Unit flying overhead searching for our and Matt got a room provided by the San Bernardino County while I went to stay with my brother-in-law, but at 0200 the next morning RMRU was alerted to “They gave us information on support a search at the Tram. Glenn and what the teenagers were wear- Matt left at 0400 to conduct that mission ing; the type of shoe the male (See mission 2015-003). I could not go subject was wearing being a very and departed for my work at Ft Irwin ending RMRU’s involvement. valuable clue.” Two days later, on Thursday morning RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN operation. January 8, a helicopter discovered a We started searching by 0900 after female body in the water by the south loading waypoints for our search bound- shore of the lake where the ice ended and lost subjects. aries into our GPS units. The terrain was the following day the coroner confirmed The two teenagers, one male, Matthew, mostly wooded but generally open with the victim was our subject, Ms. Cimbaluk. 19 and one female, Alyssa, 17, were going good fields of observation below the RMRU offers its deepest condolences to on a short hike in the afternoon and then trees. There was some spotty, shallow the Cimbaluk family for their tragic loss. off to a movie later that evening. We pos- snow cover on the ground with a bit more itively ID their car in the parking lot so we snow in gullies and along the shaded RMRU Members Involved: knew were at the starting point of their sides of fallen trees. We were careful to Glenn Henderson, Matt Jordon, and journey. We were informed that they set probe these snowy areas with poles and Kevin Kearn. out at approximately 1430. Both of their our six-man team completed its search by parents showed up on scene as we were 1300. We had reasonable confidence that preparing to insert in to the field. They we had scoured the terrain thoroughly. Lost Hikers gave us information on what the teen- January 09, 2015 agers were wearing; the type of shoe the After returning to the command post, Tenaja Trailhead male subject was wearing being a very Glenn and I both remarked that Ms. Cim- Written by Raymond Weden valuable clue. baluk may have ventured onto the ice, given its close proximity just across street It’s Friday night and a good majority of Cameron and I became “Team 1” and from the trailhead parking lot. Our team the team is getting our gear prepared started off down the Tenaja Trail South as then linked up with a cadaver search dog for our “Winter Shakedown” training it is the main trail head out of the parking and handler, and two more deputies. Our scheduled for 0730 on Saturday morning. lot and their assumed path of travel. reinforced team moved east by vehicle This training marks the time for us to use Donny and Carlos became “Team 2” and and then dismounted to search up a gully our snowshoes, crampons, ice aces, and drove up the Fisherman’s Camp Trail east of the trail head, over several ridges other winter gear that have been collect- Head with the intentions of then picking west, and then down another gully into ing dust for the last 3 seasons. Due to the up the Tenaja Falls Trail at the Fisher- lack to snow in our local mountains, it has man’s Camp intersection. Glenn was in been a couple of years since been able to the RMRU truck as mobile communica- truly have this training. tion driving up and down Wildomar Road to ensure we stayed in radio range. Shortly after 2200 a call came in for two lost teenagers near the Tenaja Trail Head At Fisherman’s Camp, Team 2 came in the Cleveland National Forest. The re- across some campers who positively ID’d corded message we call in to get the ini- our missing subjects and said they did tial details for the search ended with “… not go north towards Tenaja Falls (the and sorry about the training”. Bummer… more popular route) but headed west I still held out some hope that we would on the San Mateo Trail. This was con- 6 RMRU NEWSLETTER

firmed by no sign of fresh track heading The sign post marking the Bluewater ly led to their rescue, your cell phone north so Team 2 pushed west. They also trail said something about “hard – 1800ft does not count because more often than confirmed the time that they saw them elevation gain”. This could be that hill she not it will be out of batteries when you was talking about… need it most. Even if you leave at first light, it is always smart to have a flash- Shortly after pressing on up the Bluewa- light as you never know what can happen. ter trail, we were told that Orange County Sheriff’s Department was assisting in this Bring a Map, Compass and GPS. search with their Airship – Duke1. As they Ultimately it came down to the simple were heading to our location they radioed fact that they were lost. You also need to that they had someone on the ground know how to use these tools. Though a flashing a light at them. They found a GPS is a great tool, when the batteries place to land and confirmed that these die, it is just dead weight so always carry were our lost teenagers! They were cold paper maps. and tired, but otherwise unharmed and in around 1630. good spirits. They were flown over to the RMRU members present: Carlos Carter, Cameron and I were about ½ mile south trail head were it all started and dropped Kirk Cloyd, Cameron Dickinson, Donny of Fisherman’s when we heard on the off. Before heading up the hill, we Goetz, Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, radio that team 2 was going down the marked a location that could be a possible and Raymond Weden. San Mateo Trail. We stepped up our pace Landing Zone (LZ) if a helicopter needed and radioed over to “Team 2” suggesting to land. We were about ¾ of a mile from Orange County Sheriff’s Aviation: (Pilot we join up as there are several trail inter- there. Knowing our Matthew and Alyssa – J. Eanes) (TFO - E Baum) sections off of the San Mateo Trail. Just were safe, we turned and headed for the before merging with them Donny radioed (LZ) and awaited our pickup. The addi- in that he has a fresh track matching the tional team of Eric and Kirk that were on male subject’s description given by his their way to assist were told to head back Overdue Tramway Hiker father. More confident we were on their January 07, 2015 heels we pushed on our heads down look- Tramway to San Jacinto Peak ing for fresh tracks. At each trail intersec- Written by Patrick McCurdy tion we spent additional time looking for clues to determine their path of travel. I RMRU was called at 2 a.m. on January 7th, for a 6 a.m. report time for a lost It was pushing 0400 when we hit the hiker out of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram- intersection of the Bluewater Trail. We way. Ted, in his earlier 30’s, had gone hik- spent some significant time here as their ing on Mount San Jacinto on the 6th and tracks disappeared with very thick over- his parents reported him missing when growth. These trails are pretty far back he did not return home in Irvine where he in the hills and are not used regularly. In was visiting from Florida. Arriving at the part of the briefing we received from the home. lower tram station at 5:45 were Glenn and Deputies and the Forest Service we were Even “short” hikes like this one was Matt, both of whom came directly from told Alyssa made a brief cell phone call supposed to be can turn in to search and Big Bear where they had been working on stating that they have been heading up rescue situation if you are not prepared. a mutual aid search with San Bernardino hill for a very long time. Though search- Here are some key tips that would have County, Lew, and myself. RMRU member ing a few hundred yards down both trails helped in this situation: Donny and five members of Desert Sher- yielded no significant clues, the four of us iff’s Search and Rescue (DSSAR) were just decided to head up the Bluewater trail. Know when the sun goes down and set a a little behind us. turnaround time. Our subjects left at 1430 and arrived at Glenn and Lew set up the command post their first major intersection at 1630 - at the tram while Matt and I got ready “Even “short” hikes like this one two hours later. The sun sets in this area to head out as Team 1. With no real idea was supposed to be can turn in to around 1700. If they hit the camp and im- where Ted could be, Matt and I headed search and rescue situation if you mediately turned around they would have up the main trail towards Round Valley. are not prepared.” to walk an hour and half in the dark. Our recent storms had left a substantial amount of snow, but it was a gorgeous Bring a Flashlight with Extra Batteries. morning, about 40 degrees, with no need RMRU RESCUER RAYMOND WEDEN Leaving as late as they did a flashlight is a for crampons or snowshoes. must have. Though this is what ultimate- .... Continued Page 10 7 RMRU NEWSLETTER

TRAINING SUMMARY OF OUR ANNUAL

HELICOPTER CERTIFICATION RMRU Teaming with the Aviation Unit of Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

In Search and Rescue, time is of the a simulated victim in boarding the essence. The Helicopter Aviation Unit helicopter on the ground with the of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department rotor blades spinning at idle ready plays a critical role in rapidly inserting to take off. With this noise, verbal RMRU search personnel into remote communication is all but impossible areas or to extract injured hikers or so following hand instruction by the other individuals in distress. Annually Sheriff’s Technical Flight Officer (TFO) every RMRU volunteer interested in standing outside the helicopter is crit- helicopter operations must re-qual- ically important. In addition, commu- ify in order to assist in helitac SAR nicating with the victim must be done missions. in like manner with the hand Exiting Helicopter with RMRU Rescurer exiting first. This day long training is held at the Aviation Units base of operations at feet off the terrain. Once given the Hemet – Ryan airport. This consists signal to approach the helicopter by of several sections beginning in the the TFO, we climb a set of railroad ties helicopter hanger learning how to ap- simulating uneven terrain, step onto proach the helicopter, open the door, the skids and grab the TFO’s forearm boarding it, seating, and safety belt; as assistance as we board the helicop- then do it all in reverse as you exit. ter. Once safely belted in our seats, we are rewarded with a ride several In the next phase training moves out- miles away to a remote peak where doors where you learn to assist Entering the Helicopter with we “hover step” off the helicopter “Victim” entering first. and left for the second helicopter to arrive, drop off their RMRU team signals arranged while outside the helicopter’s noise. Notice on the left- photo the RMRU team members hand ... verbal communication is all at the base of the “victims” neck. The but impossible so following hand purpose is to keep their head down as approaching the helicopter. instruction by the Sheriff’s TFO is critically important. Expanding on the first two phases of our training, we now learn how to RMRU - GARY FARRIS Escorting “Victim” to Helicopter. board the helicopter hovering a few TFO Standing to the Right 8 RMRU NEWSLETTER

the safe lift as it is difficult for the TFO seeing them from the bird. Once raised to the helicopter, we use the skids as a ladder and once again the TFO’s forearm as final assistance in entry. Once safely seat belted, the hook is disconnected, the next team member is lifted and seated and we are treated to a short flight around the airport. Exiting was the reverse of the entry with the exception that the Photos Left, Above & Below lower procedure started once stand- RMRU team members on hoist lift ing in front of the TFO on the skid, making eye contact with a head nod OK to lower.

This concluded our training with certification cards distributed at the final debriefing. Major Kudos to all members of the Riverside County Sheriff departments Aviation Unit; their instruction and professionalism were outstanding.

members we board as before, and Article by Gary Farris - RMRU return to base again exiting using the “hover step”.

After lunch we return to the hanger for instruction of hoist equipment such as the litter, screamer suit, child sack, and collar. Explanation of these items will come at some later news- letter edition.

The grand finale was being lifted by the hoist while the helicopter hovered about 50 feet above. Photos Above & Below 2 of RMRU Actual Helitac Missions But before this step, we practiced raising a dummy in the litter con- trolling it by a guide rope from the ground then releasing the rope from the ground.

The process of being lifted by the helicopter host begins with the hook being lowered to our location on the ground; not attempting to chase after Hoisting Litter with RMRU team it. When hooked in to our harness, members using rope guided ascent. BIG hand and arm signals are key to

9 RMRU NEWSLETTER

.... Continued from Page 8 not responding to them at all. This had started hiking back up to where was more Matt, who is a much stronger hiker than us concerned that he might be severely familiar with the trail. With more altitude I am, had mercy on me and kept the hypothermic. Star 93 asked for someone he found a cell signal and was able to pace reasonable. With not a lick of wind, to do a hoist and Matt and I were ready! make contact with the command post. our voices carried a substantial distance Matt and I were deciding who got to go About an hour later he was being hoisted when we called out for Ted, but we got no up in the helicopter when Glenn advised out by Star 93. answer. We checked the toilets at Round via radio that he wanted me to go, as Valley, but again no sign of Ted. Note Ted’s medical status was in question and I RMRU members present: Donny Goetz, have more medical training that Matt. Matt Jordon, Glenn Henderson, Lew King- man, and Patrick McCurdy. Star 93 landed in the snow-covered We checked the toilets at Round meadow at Round Valley and TFO Eric DSAR Members present: Mike Calhoun, Valley....It is not at all uncom- Bashta rigged the airship for a hoist. It Mike Fogarty, Chris Miller, Sharon Ollen- mon for lost people to sleep in was a quick flight up to where Ted was burger, and Kevin Wahlstrom. the simple backcountry toilets to and pilot Andy Rasmussen, blessed with shelter from the elements.” near zero wind, did a great job of placing Sheriff’s Aviation: (Pilot – Andy Rasmus- us very near Ted. I was lowered down by sen) (TFO - Eric Bashta) RMRU RESCUER Eric Bashta, quickly determined that Ted PATRICK McCURDY was alert, cooperative, and uninjured, and he was hoisted out in a Screamer that it is not at all uncommon for lost Suit. Star 93 dropped him in Round Valley Searching Stuck Cars people to sleep in the simple backcountry where other field teams had converged, December 31, 2014 toilets to shelter from the elements. came back and hoisted me out, dropping Ortega Highway As Matt and I headed over toward Tam- me likewise in Round Valley. Written by Patrick McCurdy arack to check the toilets there, Team 2, made up of DSSAR personnel, was get- Ted was in great spirits, feeling strong, On December 30th, an unusually heavy ting started and were going to check the and said he was absolutely fine with early winter storm slammed Southern Sid Davis drainage, a common alternate hiking three miles back to the tram. After California with massive winds, freezing path between Round Valley and the tram. giving him some energy bars and water, temperatures, and snowfall. By 3 a.m. About the same time Glenn and Lew at we made quick work of the hike back to on the 31st, the I-15 freeway in Temecu- the command post were able to establish the tram and didn’t even get a chance to la/Murrieta was closed due to about 4” intermittent voice contact with Ted via of snow. At 7:30 a.m. RMRU was called cell phone, and slightly more dependable out to assist with rescuing 22 stranded text contact. He said he had slept in a toi- people, including small children, on the let but had now been hiking for about an Ortega Highway which runs west to east hour and was on a well-worn snow trail. from Lake Elsinore to Orange County over We all assumed he would head down- the Santa Ana Mountains. hill and so figured he was somewhere between Team 1 and Team 2. Glenn and We arrived at the command post to find a Lew were then able to talk Ted through multi-agency operation with CHP running getting a lat-long coordinate from his Incident Command, but RMRU under cell phone. As the field teams and the control of Riverside Sheriff’s Office. They command post all started plotting the were dealing with multiple calls from location, we began to scratch our heads stranded motorists, trying to locate each as it plotted higher up than Round Valley, sit down before we all caught the next on maps, and attempted to triage the somewhere below Jean Peak. It had nev- tram car down to the valley station. We er occurred to us he might go up. were back at our cars by noon. Ted had not originally intended to go to Teams 1 & 2 had by this time converged the peak, but met some folks with a GPS “RMRU was called out to assist back at Round Valley and we heard the who assured him they could find it. He first sound of Star 93 flying in to assist got separated from them, then made a with rescuing 22 stranded peo- with the search. Team 2 headed up the wrong turn and got lost. With daylight ple, including small children, on trail toward Wellman’s Divide, while Matt waning he headed down and spent the the Ortega Highway” and I remained at Round Valley. Star night in one of the backcountry toilets, 93 fairly quickly located Ted very close probably at Round Valley or Tamarack. RMRU RESCUER to the given coordinates. They said he PATRICK McCURDY was standing, apparently uninjured, but At dawn the next morning he got up and 10 RMRU NEWSLETTER

but every member present was geared up and ready to spend whatever time re- quired in the field to rescue those in need. At about 4 p.m., we were told to stand down as all were accounted for

To the Left, the “X” marks the location of a car buried and abandoned on the Ortega Highway

RMRU RESCUER FRANK SNIDER

This was truly a multi-agency effort. CHP took lead with Riverside Sheriff’s Office (including Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, RMRU, Elsinore PD, and Aviation), Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Trans, Cal Fire, and CHP Aviation. The American Red Cross stood up a shelter in case it was calls for the most urgent. Most callers while the rest of the team stood by for needed and also provided food and re- had been stuck on the road all night. Cal- further assignments and coordinated with freshments to personnel at the command Trans dozers were working the highway the incident command staff. from both sides, attempting to clear the road, but were hampered by large num- Frank, I, and the Star 94 crew were unable bers of fallen trees and branches. Shortly to locate the stranded family at the loca- after arrival our spirits were lifted by the tion given, but flight crew Mike Calhoun sound of rotors announcing the arrival of and Ryan Burk flew us back and forth over the Ortega Highway for a couple of hours looking for other stranded motorists. While we worked hard to try to locate people needing rescue, we couldn’t fail to appreciate the beauty of the mountains that almost never see this amount of snowfall. It was simply gorgeous. post. While no one ended up needing rescue, a multi-agency task force was in By this time the Cal-Trans dozer crews, place in case they did. working from both the east and west, had cleared all but about 2 miles of roadway. RMRU Members Involved: Cameron We landed twice so Frank and I could Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, Kevin RSO’s Star 94 helicopter, which surprised check out stuck vehicles, but both were Kearns, Patrick McCurdy, Dana Potts, us due to the lingering heavy winds. abandoned. We spoke to people who live Frank Snider, Ray Weden, and Gwenda Numerous agencies were involved and near the Candy Store, but they were fine, Yates. CHP did a fine job of coordinating the if without power. effort. After an initial brief, Frank Snider Sheriff’s Aviation: (Pilot - Mike Calhoun) and I were selected to go up in Star 94 to We finally made it back to the command (TFO Ryan Burk) try to locate a family that was out of their post and stood by with the rest of the vehicle as it was said to be sliding toward team while authorities tried to account a precipitous drop. Small children were for the occupants of all abandoned ve- reported to be among them. Meanwhile hicles. They were taking no chance that Dana Potts went up in a CHP helicopter to someone had walked away from their try to locate other stranded motorists, car and got lost in the mountains. Frank, Dana, and I got the sweet assignments 11 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Tramway- off Donny. The Aviation team did some engineering tech in my day job and the great flying and got me to a point I could shocks felt just like sticking your finger Wellman’s Divide jump down onto the snow slopes about into an 115V electrical socket. I chuck my December 13, 2014 300 feet above the subject’s location. bag into the helicopter as Eric can’t grab Mt. San Jacinto With the helicopter making their way it without getting electrified and grab Written by Eric Holden back to Donny I headed downhill. Snow the skid for one final burst of electricity. was 2-3’ deep in some of the drifts, which Now at the same electrical potential as The team was just wrapping up a great made for some fun travel. the helicopter I am able to safely grab day of Helitac training with the Riverside Eric’s hand as he pulls me inside for a Sheriff’s Office’s Aviation unit when we return home. Quite the..... shocking...... experience. got word that we have lost hikers up on “ ..... they are in good shape. San Jacinto Peak. As some members They had an emergency bivy set- finished their rotation in the training we Turns out that John and Kathy are a new pulled out maps and GPS units to trace up and had warm clothing, food, couple and this is one of their first dates! their cell phone ping coordinates. Unfor- water, map and compass, just no If they can get through this smiling hope- tunately cell phone pings are not always light to see with “ fully it’s a long and happy relationship. accurate and the ping either put them in either Glendale, or the Pacific Ocean. RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN RMRU Members Involved: Glenn Hen- It looks like we will be doing a search derson, Eric Holden, Donny Goetz Matt tonight. Jordan, and Rob May. I reach the subjects, John and Kathy, Sheriff’s Aviation: (Pilot - Chad Marlat) and they are in good shape. They had (TFO - Eric Hannum) an emergency bivy setup and had warm clothing, food, water, map and com- pass, just no light to see with. They had summited San Jacinto Peak and on the Female Lost - way back down missed the turn off at Tahquitz Peak Wellman’s Divide. After introductions December 06, 2014 all around we start heading back up the Saddle Junction - Idyllwild slopes to my drop-in point to prepare Written by Kevin Kearn for aviation’s return from fueling and dropping Donny back off at Hemet-Ryan. The Riverside County Sheriff activated Chad and Eric held the helicopter perfect- RMRU on Saturday evening, at 1845 to ly still a few feet above the ground and After some debate the team’s president search for a missing female in the vicinity both Kathy and John climb aboard. requested two volunteers. I quickly raise of Tahquitz peak north of Idyllwild. The my hand along with Donny. We both had 45 year old subject had been hiking with While waiting for their return I get to all of our winter gear ready to go. After a male companion when she went to watch the Geminids meteor shower from putting on our warm jackets and harness- relieve herself off the trail somewhere be- the slopes of San Jacinto. SPECTACU- es we hopped on the helicopter with pilot tween Tahquitz Peak and Saddle Junction LAR!!! During the entire mission I saw Chad and Technical Flight Officer (TFO) at approximately 1330. Although weather about 40 meteors streak across the sky. Eric a lot of Eric’s on this bird. conditions were clear with tempera- Aviation returns and as I am handing my A few minute later and we were circling tures in the low 50’s and little wind, she pack to Eric we get electrostatic shocked San Jacinto Peak checking all of the became disoriented and moved further about 7 times. I am an electrical normal places that people get funneled away from the trail and got lost. Her into. We could see all of the State Park male companion attempted to locate her Rangers searching Round and Tamarack for an hour before deciding to leave. He valleys, but no sign of our subjects. On had contact with her via text messages one of the final passes pilot Chad spot- until her phone went dead a very short ted their cell phone light about a mile time afterwards. south east of Wellman’s divide. In order to drop someone off at their location we The male companion descended to would need to lose some weight so either Idyllwild Ranger Station via Saddle Donny or I would need to be dropped off Junction and Devil’s Slide Trail where he at Round Valley. I had the med-pack and reported her missing at approximately stove so Donny got dropped off at Round 1630 hours. The Ranger station person- Valley. It was 20 degrees as we dropped Upper Tram Station Range Station nel contacted the Riverside Sherriff and on an earlier mission 12 RMRU NEWSLETTER

deputies responded. After interviewing excellent conditions to observe terrain. approaching the summit from the south. the male companion who claimed to have Zero winds improved the effectiveness DSAR had finished their reconnaissance met her on the internet, examining his of our shouting out and ability to listen as well and Glenn was analyzing options cell phone, and confirming the subject’s for responses, especially when Star-9 was to continue searching or to rest the teams car was still in Humber Park, they alerted away from our area. until dawn. RMRU. Star-9 made another check of Caramba Glenn led the operation and was first to area, the eastern side of the San Jacinto arrive at Humber Park with the RMRU “Nearly 100% illumination from Wilderness that drops off into hazardous truck at 1940 hours. Shortly thereafter, the full moon provided excellent canyons. By luck, Helicopter Crew ob- the Riverside Sherriff also mobilized conditions to observe terrain.“ served the glint of the reflective material Desert Search and Rescue (DSAR) to also on the subject’s shoelaces in the steep join the search. Cameron , Ray, and I all section of the Tahquitz Creek east of Car- arrived by 2115 when temperatures had amba Camp in the deep canyon before a dropped into the low 40s in Idyllwild and RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN steep and impassable (without technical low 30s at Saddle Junction. Cameron and equipment) drop off. They confirmed Ray were operating on little sleep, having it was our subject at the bottom by a supported the rescue of two subjects at stream. Aside from a pinkish hat, she the Tramway the night before. Glenn Soon after, Donny and Kirk arrived to wore a black long sleeve top and bottoms briefed us on the mission and we distrib- form RMRU’s second team. Glenn direct- which made her difficult to detect below uted equipment which included extra ed them to search and clear the South the trees in the darkness. clothing for the subject, radios, callout Ridge Trail from Idyllwild to Tahquitz ropes, an enhanced medical kit, and extra Peak. Approximately 500 feet south of The narrow canyon with steep sides and water. Glenn planned to insert our three- the trail intersection on Pacific Crest Trail trees made it extremely challenging to man team initially into Skunk Cabbage in Tahquitz Valley, we discovered a freshly conduct a safe hoist so the plan was to Meadow, then have us sweep south, west drawn arrow in the dirt pointing north pick Cameron and me up from Tahquitz of Hill 8042, along the Pacific Crest Trail (opposite our direction of our travel). We peak and insert us into an Landing Zone to Little Tahquitz Valley ,then southwest agreed it was fresh and with the absence about a half mile from the subject. We to the Tahquitz North Ridge trail, and of any discernible tracks, thought it might checked to be sure we had the correct then north to the Saddle Junction. be our subject’s. After reporting the equipment with Ray, who stayed at the discovery, our team reversed direction tower to serve as the radio relay between and began sweeping north where arrow Star-9 and RMRU Base, since the sub- pointed, towards the Saddle Junction. ject’s remote location exceeded line of At Saddle Junction, we interviewed two sight communications. After Cameron campers who reported seeing the male and I reached the subject’s location, companion earlier in the day and indi- Donny from the second team approach- cated that he had been looking for the ing up the South Ridge, made it to Ray’s subject. At Saddle Junction, our team location at the Lookout Tower. At that turned south to clear the North Ridge time, Glenn put out the order to withdraw Trail all the way to the lookout tower on all remaining elements in the field back to Tahquitz Peak. Idyllwild.

While our team cleared the North Ridge, Eric Hannum Technical Flight Officer As our team moved to stage at Keenwild Donny and Kirk continued to approach (TFO), part of the Star-9 flight crew that Helipad, elements from DSAR began from the South. DSAR’s 5-man team night, passed the coordinates to Camer- arriving; initially instructed to launch closed on the Saddle after which two on and me after inserting us individually from the Palm Springs Tram Station and members went back down; three re- at 0240 hours. They also illuminated the sweep south, Glenn redirected them to maining DSAR members proceeded to area ahead of us to ‘paint’ the spot where clear the Devil’s Slide trail from Humber clear from Saddle Junction east to Reed’s the subject was. We moved rapidly from Park to the Saddle. By 2215 hours, the Camp and then to Law’s Camp. Star- the Landing Zone to the stream in the Sheriff’s Helicopter (Star-9) had lifted 9 scoured the Pacific Coast Trail from canyon but were slowed down consid- our three man- team individually into the Saddle Junction to Wellman Divide. At erably after that. Steep, slippery terrain Skunk Cabbage Meadows Landing Zone 0215 hours our three-man team complet- above the stream with significant debris and we were calling out for the subject ed reconnaissance of the Lookout Tower made it difficult to traverse safely. while Star- 9 conducted visual search atop Tahquitz Peak (8,828 feet) with with night vision goggles. Nearly 100% nothing significant to report. We could illumination from the full moon provided hear the call outs from Donny and Kirk .... Continued Page 16 13 RMRU NEWSLETTER

WHAT IF... EVERYTHING GOES WRONG

HOW WILL YOU BE FOUND?

EVEN THE BEST MOUNTAINEERS COULD NEED RESCUE

COMMUNICATION - The 11th Essential System For this scenario you are an avid the most accurate location information the over fell in on top your foot and lower hiker, backpacker, and mountaineer manufacturer recommends carrying the leg making it impossible to remove and as part of your physical condition- SPOT logo up which means placing it in the without assistance. Less than 100 feet ing regiment you hike at least once top of your daypack in the zippered pocket. away is your fully equipped daypack per week . With years of experience and SPOT which just sent an “I am you are well aware that even on the In your daypack are the 10 essential fine” message; might as well be on simplest most basic hikes there is systems and enough gear to comfort- the moon. You can see the trail, but always the possibility of injury which ably spend the night in case of emer- only by a miracle, will another hiker may require search and rescue assis- gency based on the weather forecast. come by this late in the day. All you tance. Today there is a slight chance of have on is your light shirt and at this scattered showers. altitude, the temperature will drop 20 As you normally do training hikes -30 degrees quickly. alone, even the most basic hikes, you This afternoon’s late winter hike is on take three communication a trail about 5 miles one way to an ele- Don’t try and think your way out precautions: vation of about 7,800 feet. On arrival of this scenario, you must have at your destination, you drop your 1. Leave a map with a reliable close outside help. relative or friend and advise them of daypack just off the trail, take out the SPOT Beacon and send a manual OK your planned exit time and when you Will you get it soon enough? will call them. which states in an email to your Reli- able contact “Everything is Fine”. You 2. Have your cell phone fully charged, Several hours later, you see the head- leave the SPOT on top of the pack in turned off and placed your daypack. lamps for a couple of RMRU volun- order to get the best signal. Charger left in the car. teers. 3. Carry a satellite based personal Only about 100 feet away is a 30 locator beacon. There are sever- QUESTION: How did they find you? al manufacturers of these devices foot high rock outcropping and you decide to scramble up the rocks and but for this example the you carry a Consider if you failed to provide your loose boulders to enjoy a great late “SPOT” Gen3 . itinerary with a reliable close friend or afternoon view . Climbing down the relative. What value was the SPOT? It outlook, you trip over a loose rock The SPOT has the ability to send automat- was continuing to send an automated and fall the remaining 5 feet, landing ic location messages once every 5 minutes. location signal for a few hours before face first in the sand. You have just a To save battery life, you set to transmit hibernating. Not that you were in once per hour. The SPOT also has the few scratches on your hands but your trouble. Without the reliable contact, ability to manually send an “OK” signal, left foot fell between the small gap the Spot was worthless. a HELP button to advise your personal in two large rocks. To make matters contact of an emergency, and finally 911 worse, the loose rocks you tripped which will alert emergency services. To get Your reliable relative did not receive a

14 RMRU NEWSLETTER COMMUNICATION - The 11th Essential System call from you at the set time of 7 pm. 6. Have a whistle. If in trouble, blow This person called your cell phone it every 2 minutes; the sound carries and it went straight to Voice Mail. much farther than your voice and you Checking the Spot email link, the won’t get as tired. automated signal placed you at the 7. If you get lost, stay put. Rescuers same location for 3 hours. will more easily find you the less you move away from your last known The SPOT did have value in assisting location. Moving can greatly compli- RMRU SAR to find you faster than if cate search efforts. you did not have one. Without it, you could have gone missing anywhere If you have a cell phone, keep it SPOT Automatic Track Set for 10 minutes along the 5 mile trail. SPOT Gen3, like turned off to conserve power and other Personal Locator Beacons on place it in a zip lock plastic bag and order to transmit a signal. Another the market is a valuable tool. store it inside a zipper pocket in your possibility is you arrive at the trail- daypack where it is not prone to dam- head only to find that the batteries If this scenario is modified slight- age. Turn it on only when you have a are dead. The SPOT uses Lithium ly and the SPOT was in reach, the signal and off when you don’t. Gen- Batteries only. 911 button could have immediately erally, if you get to high ground and alerted emergency services and your turn your phone on, you can commu- Taking these steps can save your life. position. For this reason keeping the nicate with authorities and they have The 10 essential systems will keep spot physically with you at all times is the ability to get permission to obtain you alive for a period of time but at extremely important. a general location of your phone. some time these resources will be depleted and your gear compromised Here are key pre-cautionary recom- Personal Locator Beacons are by the environment. If trapped or mendations: reasonably priced at about $150 with injured, time is of the essence; you 1. Most important, provide a reliable a monthly subscription starting at must be rescued and found soon. person with details on where you are about $10 per month with premium We strongly hope you will include going, drawing on a map the intend- service features a bit more. the 11th essential, communication ed route from the trailhead to the and plan and execute accordingly as final destination. Also include your outlined above. vehicle description and license num- ber. Notice how we stress Reliable RMRU volunteers person. Article by Gary Farris 2. Set a contact time to call that per- Contributing: Kevin Kearn son. If you don’t call they should call you. If the phone goes to Voicemail, they should assume you are in trouble and contact emergency services. To make this process easy, provide the Need Training? SPOT Manual OK “Everything is Fine” emergency service phone number. Beside acting as a highly com- 3. Always bring the 10 essential sys- However learn how to set it up and petent rescue workers, RMRU tems, discussed on page 22. use it. Sending automatic broadcasts members also work closely with 4. Take a flashlight, one of the 10 requires you to set-up an email list. school, clubs, church groups, and essential systems, even on day trips Frequently use the device if you are Scout troops throughout the area with a minimum of fresh batteries. only going for a walk around the Carrying a second flashlight is even block as this will help develop “mus- to teach mountain safety. Con- better. Strongly consider as well a cle memory”. While the device is fairly tact us to schedule a training. Safety Lightstick. Once activated simple, if you are in trouble or chanc- they will glow for 12 hours. es are you are confused and there is The ounce of prevention may 5. Try not to dress like a Ninja. Wear a strong possibility that you might well prevent the untimely pound bright clothing so you can be easily forget you have the device and what of cure. located. button to push and for how long in 15 RMRU NEWSLETTER continued from page 13 We found our subject in good condition promptly put the subject on a gurney and Know your hiking partner. Stick together but took a few minutes to check her out; proceeded to further warm and treat her and have a plan if you should become she was cold though not yet hypother- with IVs in the back of their ambulance. separated. mic; however, her feet were soaked. We The subject got a picture of herself and dried and warmed her feet, changed her the pilots. We turned our equipment in RMRU Members Involved: Kirk Cloyd, socks and later wrapped plastic bags over and after a quick debrief with Glenn and Cameron Dickinson, Donny Goetz, Kevin her socks before putting her feet back the team, ended the mission. Kearn, Glenn Henderson, and Ray Weden. in her shoes. We got her into a down Key Points: DSAR Members: Mike Calhoun, Chris If you get lost, stay put. Rescuers will Miller, Beau Potter, Sharon Ollenburger, “We found our subject in good more easily find you the less you move Chris Stevens, and Kevin Wahlstrom. condition but took a few minutes away from your last known location. Sheriff’s Aviation: (Pilot - Chad Marlat) to check her out; she was cold The subject’s decision to move greatly (TFO - Eric Hannum) complicated the search effort. See last though not yet hypothermic; mission 2014-047 where the subjects however, her feet were soaked. “ stayed put and the mission was over very quickly. Lost Hikers Tramway RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN December 05, 2014 Always bring extra (warm) clothing – and Tramway Area – Shangri-La particularly a shell. The subject was for- Written by Pete Carlson jacket as well as gloves and she seemed tunate that there was no wind that night, to warm up quickly with some food and which had there been, would have ripped At 7:15 pm we get the call for two lost hik- water. She was capable of continuing the heat off her damp body and likely ers near the upper Tramway. The Sheriff’s to move and we coordinated with Star-9 caused hypothermia and possibly death. Helicopter and flow over and spotted the to pick us up at a new, closer Landing This would have happened even faster two, but due to blowing fog on the ridge Zone in one hour. Star-9 flew away at had there been rain. they had to leave. They did get co-ordi- 0315 hours. We proceeded to climb back nates for us so we knew where to find the up the walls of the canyon to our initial Try not to dress like a Ninja. Wear bright two hikers. I arrived at the Lower Tram- crossing point. We were fortunate in that clothing so you can be easily located. way at 9 pm and got my gear together for the subject was an avid runner, carrying Bring a whistle and a flashlight even on an overnight mission. Even though we virtually nothing, and motivated to get daytrips. Try to blow a whistle every 2 know where the people were, you never out. I went first to find a safe route and minutes; it carries much farther than your know what will happen. So into the pack clear brush while the subject followed. voice and you won’t get as tired. These goes the gear: Sleeping bag, short ther- Cameron went last and ensured the sub- devices coupled with bright clothing will mo-rest, biv sack, (my jackets, hat, and ject was not only safe but felt safe – par- dramatically increase your chances of gloves), extra (jackets, hat, and gloves ticularly in steep slippery sections of the being detected and found. for subjects if needed), stove, small food canyon. Cameron actually got below her bag (Hot coco, soups, and energy bars), 3 and placed and held her feet in sections litters of water, first aid kit, helmet, har- while she traversed. ness, small technical bag, 100 foot 9 mm “Try not to dress like a Ninja. rope, 2 headlamps, map and compass, After crossing the stream at the point Wear bright clothing so you can GPS, Misc. Kit, and Team Radio. OK, now where we could exit the canyon again, we be easily located. I have a 35-40 lb. pack and I head up to climbed higher to the coordinates Star-9 the Tramway to catch the next car up. had passed for the alternate Landing Bring a whistle and a flashlight Zone. Within 5 minutes of our arrival at even on daytrips.” Up top are Glenn and Lew running Base, 0410, Star-9 returned but reported that Cameron and Ray have just gone into the they could not land in the designated RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN field to start looking for the subjects, and location; they requested that we move the Sheriff Deputy. After Glenn plots the to the original insertion Landing Zone If you have a cell phone, conserve your co-ordinates onto the map and I put them across a nearby ridge. They landed and power. Turn it on only when you have a into my GPS, I am set to go catch up with waited the ten minutes for us to come to signal and off when you don’t. Generally, the first two searchers. After looking at their location. Star-9 lifted the subject if you get to high ground and turn your the map I know right were to go, Shan- and Cameron out first at 0425 hours phone on, you can communicate with au- gri-La. It is just past the Ranger Station and then came back for me. We landed thorities and they have the ability to get and the first trail junction. I make a right back at Keenwild Helipad where Glenn, permission to obtain a general location of turn and head up the first drainage just Riverside deputies, and Idyllwild Fire your phone. past the trail junction. In 10 minutes I Paramedics had gathered. Paramedics have caught up with Cameron and Ray. 16 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Together with my knowledge of the area to the Harvard and Yale Saddle. This was short class 5 climbing up waterfalls. I we make quick time till we are looking mostly a class two route with just a small love canyoneering, but most of the time out over the desert and the lights of Palm bit of class three, so it was great for the its descending them, in the day, in warm Springs. subjects. weather.

We give a yell and hear a response in the It was a beautiful night to be hiking with distance up the ridge line toward Harvard it being only one day from a full moon, it Peak and on the desert side of that ridge. was easy to hike with no headlamp and First up is a 200 foot cliff in our way. We see just fine. We made it back to the Up- look to see if going down and traversing per Tramway Station around 12:15. We under it will work. No, so we go around then put out our sleeping bags and sleep the mountain side of the ridge and head on the floor until 6pm when we could get up as we traverse. It is a lot of third class a ride back down to the Lower Station on scrambling and with heavy packs we are the first morning run. sweating hard. After 20 minutes of this we reach the top and I start down the RMRU Members Involved: Pete Carlson, desert side and give a yell. The subjects Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, are still up the ridge and definitely down Lew Kingman, Ray Weden and Gwenda on the desert side. I try to traverse the Yates. desert side and run into class five climb- ing, so I turned back and yelled to the other two to stay on the mountain side and continue up the ridge farther. Hikers Stranded by Darkness I come back and join them and in 10 min- November 23, 2014 utes we are on top again farther up the During one of the climbs I was bringing ridge. This time the subjects are below Jensen Creek near Snow Creek up the rope to belay the Cameron and us. We are able to find a third class route Written by Eric Holden Ray when I suddenly found myself no down to them after a couple of false longer on the rock face but falling back- starts and got to them about 11:00pm. At 8:30 pm I get a call with a heads up wards. “How did I fall? I was so secure” Juan and Ruby are in good shape, dressed on a possible search. Making sure all I thought as I took the 7 foot drop onto warmly, and still have some water left. my gear is ready to go, I get about 90 an old tree branch. Checking myself out They just got caught by darkness and had minutes of sleep before the official call I didn’t have any large holes or broken no idea of how to get back to the Tram- out is made. Two Subjects had called 911 bones and found that the hold I was way. Ruby had suggested that they just and said they were out of water, with no standing on actually broke off the rock. hike down to the lights below. Luckily light source, somewhere on the slopes of Ok, time to try again, this time with less Juan said no way and they stayed put and Jensen Creek. The helicopter was able to falling. I got to the top and was able to did not go anywhere. spot them at about the 4,800 foot level belay Cameron and Ray as they made the but unable to reach them due to flight climb. restrictions. They were able to get a lati- tude/longitude reading of their location. It was about 4:30am and we needed to get a little rest before continuing on. At The decision was made to head up the first light we packed up our gear and as- same route they went and ascend about cended till our route became impassable 3,500 feet up the canyon. A 60 minute drive later and I was greeted by fellow RMRU members Cameron and Ray at the trailhead. This would be Ray’s first mis- sion in the field and turned out to be quite the adventure. We started up the canyon and quickly found that from the rains 3 We took a short break and we Rescuers days ago, the canyon had a good amount eat and drink to keep up our energy of flowing water. This made for...interest- levels. I did a short look around hike ing... travel as we occasionally sunk calf and found we could traverse up into high in mud. With Cameron leading the a notch and drop back down into the way, the next 4 hours involved boulder drainage that goes from Shangri-La up hopping, scrambling and even some 17 RMRU NEWSLETTER due to a 60 foot waterfall at about 4,200 Hoist Stranded Hiker feet. We climbed the ridge line to shout Glad the hear they are OK, but please, October 26, 2014 down into one of the other canyons but if you are lost, call 911 for help, and then were still unable to make voice contact. hike out, let the searchers know... Cleveland National Forest If the subjects were at their last known Skyline Road position, we should have been able to get RMRU Members involved: Kirk Cloyd, Written by Cameron Dickinson some response. We came up with a plan Cameron Dickinson, Eric Holden, Patrick to head back down to base and possibly McCurdy, Ray Weden, and Gwenda Yates. At 7:15pm, I was notified by our call try to come in from the Black Mountain captain Gwenda that a 19 year old male Campground up above Jensen Creek. reported himself lost in the Dripping Springs area of Temecula. The subject Three Person Hoist was a new resident of Temecula who had November 08, 2014 recently moved out to the area from New Cleveland National Forest York State. He wanted to explore the Skyline Road trails near his home and he decided to Written by Dana Potts take a solo afternoon hike.

Three teens from the Corona area had As it became dark in the evening he hiked up to the Main Divide from the realized that he was lost and was unable Skyline trail area in Corona. After coming to find his way back to the trailhead. At down the wrong ridge line on their way this point he decided to make a phone back to the road, they became disorien- call requesting help. He didn’t have a Thankfully, even in gusty winds, the RSO tated in the high foliage. As darkness map or a GPS, but he was able to report Aviation Helicopter was able to land near came, they called 9-1-1 to report their his approximate location to a Riverside us, pick us up, and give us a short ride situation. 9-1-1 dispatchers from RSO Sheriff’s Deputy. back to base. The helicopter then had to asked Riverside PD to use their helicopter return to base for the rest of the day due to locate the three teens before the sun I drove to Hemet Ryan Airport and met to high winds. set completely. up with the Aviation Personnel on duty that night and departed via Star 9 the Cameron and Ray had to leave and the Sheriff’s helicopter. It didn’t take long to call was made requesting additional help. reach the reported location. We circled Soon Gwenda, Patrick and Kirk made it to the location and were quickly able to lo- base. While coming up with a new search cate our subject below as he used his cell plan and getting ready to summon more phone as flashlight. help from outside agencies, we got a ping from the subject’s cell phone at a resi- I was lowered down on the hoist cable dence, not on the mountain. and made contact with the subject. I talk to him and told him that I would be Turns out, the subjects had hiked out putting him a Screamer Suit (A big bag during the earlier hours of the morning with places for his legs and arms) with an and got a ride from a buddy back home. Once Riverside PD located the three, attachment point to clip the hoist cable. They never thought it important to notify they stayed on scene until RSO could He was hoisted up first and then I was the Sheriff and just went home to remod- arrive. As I live in the Corona area RSO hoisted out last. el their kitchen. picked me up in a field near my home. I was lowered 50’ down into the thick We flew over to a point on the ground brush. All three were in good health, where a Sheriff’s Deputy was waiting dressed appropriately and had flashlights and dropped him off to safety. We then to assist the air unit in locating them. All returned back to Hemet Ryan Airport. three were given a helmet and hoisted up The whole mission was over in less than Glad the hear they are OK, but two hours. please, if you are lost, call 911 for to the RSO airship without incident. help, and then hike out, let the When the three were safely returned to RMRU Members Involved: searchers know... the trail head, RSO was notified of anoth- Cameron Dickinson. er possibly mission on Mount San Jacinto.

RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN RMRU Members Involved: Dana Potts.

18 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Missing 75 Year Old with DSAR members Sharon Ollenburg- er and Chris Stevens. We completed Alzheimer’s Woman our assignment and returned to base “Sally has been missing for 9 October 7 - 9, 2014 for another assignment. Assignment days now the search will prob- Pinezanita Campground - two the three of us were sent out about a mile from base and worked our way ably be scaled back ..... It was San Diego through open spaces and areas of heavy Written by Glenn Henderson especially hard as we hiked for a brush back to base camp. No sign of any short time with Sally’s son.” kind has been found so far. Sharon and I Day 1: were pretty beat and Chris had to make RMRU RESCUER - The team was activated for a search on a meeting in Palm Desert so we checked GLEN ANDERSON Monday, October 6. We were to assist out at 1:30 PM. San Diego County with a search for a same as the previous three days. Sally missing 75 year old Alzheimer’s person. has been missing for 9 days now and Sally Estabrook went missing on Sat- the search will probably be scaled back urday evening, October 4 from a camp starting tomorrow. Today was our fourth ground near the town of Julian. The ter- day for RMRU and probably the last. We rain is steep hills and a lot of heavy brush. checked in at 8:00 AM and got into the There are many houses in the area but it field around 9:00 AM. We were put into is very rural. pretty high probability areas but again, no clues or sign of any kind. We arrived about 7:00 AM on Tuesday. It was a really quiet drive home as we The area was gridded off and teams were knew we were leaving Sally out there assigned to search each grid. No clues of somewhere. It was especially hard as we any kind were turned up. We completed hiked for a short time with Sally’s son. He multiple assignments and were released RMRU member Matt Jordon had spent at 5:00 PM. the night in the campground after search- ing all yesterday. He was assigned to another team and was still on scene at 7:00 PM. The total number of searchers was down today from yesterday. Laguna Hotshots did respond mid-morning with 28 firefighters that researched the camp- ground and surrounding areas but to no avail. The search continues tomorrow, hopefully the day Sally will be found.

RMRU Members Present: Glenn Hen- was very composed but you could see the derson and Matt Jordon. strain was taking a toll on him. We were Teams responded from Orange County, released at 5:00 PM. San Diego County, San Bernardino Coun- Desert SAR Members Present: Sharon ty and (RMRU and DSAR) from Riverside Ollenburger and Chris Stevens. RMRU Members Present: County. The searchers included Mounted Cameron Dickinson, Matt Jordon, Patrick Posse, Dog teams, helicopters, moun- McCurdy, and Glenn Henderson tain bikers, off road vehicles, and ground pounders like us.

RMRU Members Present: Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, Matt Jordon, and Rob May.

Desert SAR Members Present: Donna Beane and Sharon Ollenburger.

Day 2: We started searching at 8:00 AM. I was RMRU Team Search Resumed on Octo- assigned to trail with a dog team along ber 19. Today went pretty much the 19 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Lost Hiker - that lead him away from the main trail. Hoist Fuller Ridge Due to the fact that he didn’t have a light, July 31, 2014 San Jacinto Peak he made the right choice to stay put until September 21, 2014 sunrise. He said that he felt that he was San Jacinto Wilderness Written by Eric Holden San Jacinto Wilderness in the Round Valley area but not sure Written by Dana Potts where. Once the sun was up, he made his way back to the tram. I get the text and it looks like there may be a mission out of the Tram tonight. I In the evening around 8:30 pm RMRU was had to make work in the morning and called to the Palm Springs Tram to search The subject was reunited with his wife at the lower tram station and sought med- knowing that once you go up the tram for an overdue hiker. RMRU team mem- you don’t get back down till 7am meant bers Kirk, Dana, and Cameron arrived pri- ical his own medical attention later that day for his minor sprain. that I probably wouldn’t be going on this or to the shutting down of the tramway. one.... or so I thought. About 10 minutes The team was advised by the Riverside RMRU Members Present: later I get a phone call, “Ready to do a County Sheriff’s department that a lone hoist?” This would be my second hoist in male hiker was reported to have made Steve Bryant, Kirk Cloyd, Cameron Dick- inson, Glenn Henderson, Kevin Kearn, less than 48 hours, so out the door I go it to the summit of Mount San Jacinto in heading toward the Hemet Ryan Airport. the afternoon, called home to check in and Dana Potts. and was on his way back to the tramway. We were told that the hiker had plenty of water but no light. Hoist Corona Two Hikers Two Rangers checked the main trail September 27, 2014 through Round Valley all the way to the Corona Foothills summit while RMRU members Dana and Written by Glenn Henderson Cameron went to Hidden Lake Divide and took the High Trail to Round Valley with I received a call from Call Captain Gwenda negative contact. The evening was per- Yates that Star 9, the Sheriff’s Helicopter fect for a night search: warm, no winds, crew, needed one rescue person to assist and our voices carried. Come morning in a hoist evacuation in the hills above I meet up with Chad Marlat and Ray Heirs other RMRU Members and Desert Search Corona. The call came in at 6:00 PM and at the hanger and get the information, and Rescue members Sharon Ollenburger I arrived at the Sheriff’s Hanger at 6:30 two missing hikers out of the tramway and Michael Calhoun responded to the PM. Pilot Tony Bowen and TFO (technical and we have GPS coordinates so hopeful- top of the tram. Sharon and Michael flight officer) Ray Hiers were waiting for ly this will be a quick run. We gear up and headed down the dreaded cement path- me when I got there. We took off and ar- head off in the night towards San Jacinto way and they came across our missing rived on scene just as the sun went down. Mountain. About 10 minutes later we are hiker being towed up the ramp by the Ray hooked me up to the winch and able to pick up the subjects light. Unfor- Rangers. lowered me into the brush where the two tunately they are not located in a good guys were stranded. The brush was so location, lots of high trees. Upon asking him what happened, he told thick that I don’t know how they even got us that he had twisted his ankle the day there. They were uninjured so I strapped Through the expert skills of Ray and before and followed what he thought was each of them into a “screamer suit” and Chad they were able to lower me 120 the main trail. However as has happened one by one they were lifted into the heli- feet through the trees to the waiting copter. I was the last one in and we flew ground below. As the helicopter takes to Corona Airport where we turned them off I quickly located the two subjects, Ali over to ground transportation to take “He had no flashlight .... as has (23) and Phuong (25). Both were cold but them back to their car. We then lifted off otherwise in good condition. I got them happened many times before, with back to the hanger and I returned home jackets, water and quickly started to suit the loss of light, he lost the trail and at 8:30 PM. them up in screamer suits. Unfortunate- followed footprints ” ly the location that I was lowered into RMRU Members Present: would be difficult to hoist us all out. Chad Glenn Henderson radios that he found a spot a few hundred RMRU RESCUER DANA POTTS yards up the mountain that would only be a 50 foot hoist. many times before, with the loss of light, We start making our way up but unfor- he lost the trail and followed footprints tunately we are met with a lot of dense

20 RMRU NEWSLETTER thigh high brush. After some bushwhack- Search Deep Canyon ing and a few scratches we make it to July 30, 2014 the helicopter pick up spot. I signaled that we are good to go and Ray lowers Deep Canyon off HWY 74 below Pinyon Flats Written by Eric Holden

“.... from there they took a “Short- After a quick hour or two of sleep from cut”. the previous night’s mission I was out With no map, water, or warm the door heading towards the Cahuilla clothing this proved to be the big Tewanet Vista Point. RMRU was called mistake. “ out to assist DSAR (Desert Search and Rescue) who had been searching the area base. Luckily the Sheriff’s Aviation unit RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN for missing 34 year old, Juan Pedro Val- was out assisting us and able to land on ladares. DSAR needed a technical team a small saddle. A quick flight and car ride to rappel into the canyon and see what later and we were back at the command the hoist. First up was Ali. Chad radioed we could see. This would be another post. down to let us know they needed fuel and mission with fellow RMRU member Les would drop off Ali and be back short- Walker. If ropes are involved, he is the We let DSAR know our findings and went ly. Over the next 30 minutes I was able man you want! back to the cliff to retrieve our ropes and to speak with Phoebe about how they gear. The technical part of the mission got lost. Turns out they left the Palm went well but unfortunately no addition Springs Tramway at 10am and made signs of Mr. Valladares were found. the peak at 5pm. From there they took a “Shortcut”. With no map, water, or RMRU Members involved: warm clothing this proved to be the big Eric Holden and Les Walker mistake. They ended up about half way down Fuller Ridge at 33°49’02.4”N and Other Teams: Desert Search and Rescue, 116°42’01.8”W. At this point they knew Riverside County Search Dogs, and River- they were lost and called for a rescue. side Aviation Unit

We were soon greeted by the sound of rotors and within a few minutes Phuong We arrived on scene at 5am to beat was on her way up the hoist. A minute the desert heat and at first light began Hoist Box Springs later the hook came back down and as I setting up our ropes to descend into July 29, 2014 was being raised the helicopter drifted the canyon. We brought over 1,000’ of Riverside behind UCR slightly and I was about ready to take a ropes but would only use about 400’ to Written by Eric Holden big pendulum swing. Quick acting Ray set up an anchor system utilizing 3 cams lowered me back down and after a quick and a large boulder for redundancy. The “Have to get up at 3:30am to drive out to reset back up I went. We returned to rock around the area was very loose and a mission tomorrow” I thought to myself Hemet Ryan and I said my goodbyes as definitely added to the degree of difficul- as I headed to bed at 9pm. As soon as they decided how to get the subjects ty for this rappel. Les was the first over I lay down my phone goes off, but not back to the tram station. the edge and made the 150ft rappel look my emergency call out notification, its easy. Gwenda calling me. I figured she must be RMRU Members involved: calling to tell me that tomorrow’s mission Eric Holden. After he got into an area protected from has been cancelled. As soon as I pick RSO Aviation: rock fall I went over the edge and was up I hear “Eric, get out to Hemet-Ryan Char Marlat (Pilot), Ray Heirs (TFO) quickly on the ground. We proceeded all Airport, you have a hoist mission”. Being the way to the canyon bottom and had I had packed everything for tomorrow I no sign of our subject. Once in the main was out the door in 5 minutes. On the drainage we did find recent foot prints. way to the Airport I got a text from Cam- eron, he was on his way to the airport as We followed them for a few miles leading well. It looks like we will get to have our up canyon until they were lost among the first hoist mission together. We arrived at hard packed soil of the Cactus Springs the airport, (RSO) Riverside Sheriff Office Trail. It was only 9am but temps were in the mid-90s and we made the call back to .... Continued Page 24 21 EQUIPMENT FOCUS ON ILLUMINATION

10 ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS Don’t Leave the Trailhead without them .....

When day hiking, backpacking, rock In this issue we will expand on the compartment you are in the dark. climbing, or mountaineering,lim- Essential System Illumination. Most battery compartments require iting weight is typically an initial orientation, something difficult to do goal. However, the experience of in the dark. thousands seeking to enjoy the great THE CLASSIC ESSENTIALS outdoors has shown that in the event Also consider when you are using your of a host of problems one set of gear 1. MAP flashlight it is dark and at altitude, is normally considered a must, the 10 2. COMPASS cold. Fumbling with batteries in the essentials. 3. SUNGLASSES & SUNSCREEN dark and cold also presents the possi- 4. EXTRA CLOTHING bility of dropping a fresh one. If you The list is credited to the Seattle carry only one set of spares, that one 5. FLASHLIGHT based outdoor club, the lost battery could mean you can’t get Mountaineers. Their book, 6. FIRST-AID SUPPLIES the flashlight working again. Even in “Mountaineering, Freedom of the 7. FIRESTARTER a moonlight night hiking in a forest, it Hills”, first published in 1960 and 8. MATCHES is extremely difficult if not impossible now in its 8th edition, is one of the 9. KNIFE to follow the trail. best resources on every aspect of the 10. EXTRA FOOD outdoor experience from day hiking Here are some recommendations: to ice climbing. With the prevalence high quality, high While the 10 essentials were a must life LED flashlights, there is no need take list of equipment for decades, for carrying extra bulbs, a require- the list needed updated to reflect the ment on old flashlights. However, this interaction between pieces of equip- does not mean your flashlight will not ment. malfunction and in the dark, impos- sible to repair. Carrying a second Now called the 10 essential systems, light weight flashlight is an excellent this list addresses this issue by com- addition for several reasons. bining related items together such as map and compass combined into the For example your primary flashlight navigation essential system. The new batteries might come dislodged. list also adds equipment when some- This second light would provide you one might be inadvertently stranded the ability to identify the problem. LED Handheld Flashlight 150 Lumens overnight packing a space blanket or The same would apply to changing Lightweight 3.4 Oz. with bivouac sack. dead or dying batteries. Once bat- lanyard attachment ring teries are removed from the battery 22 RMRU NEWSLETTER

• Consider carrying 2 LED flashlights who frequently do alpine starts at 3 or headlamps instead one with both am and keep their hands free. Also using the same battery size. THE 10 backpackers that use trekking poles ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS favor the headlamp. Being that it • Carry an extra set of fresh batteries is on your head, it can be a problem and wrap them together in a small 1. Navigation to find the on / off switch especially piece of electrical tape. Keep them Waterproof Topographic map while wearing gloves. in the top of your pack in a zipped or in a waterproof container plus pocket. a Magnetic compass. Optional • Take one or 2 commercial grade altimeter or GPS receiver. 6 inch glow sticks. Once activated, 2. Sun protection these can last 8 – 12 hours and can Sunglasses, sunscreen for lips provide some illumination and in an emergency situation in optimal condi- and skin, hat, tions be seen up to 1 mile away. clothing for sun protection. 3.Insulation Hat, gloves, jacket, extra cloth- ing for coldest possible weather Chemlight or Snaplight during current season. Visible for up to 1 mile 8 - 12 Hour Duration

4. Illumination If you elect the LED headlamp con- Headlamp, flashlight, batter- sider one with a separate battery LED Headlamp 130 Lumens ies. LED bulb is preferred. compartment. These lights normally Lightweight 3.4 Oz. with have a better battery life and can cast batteries installed 5. First-aid supplies a stronger beam some 320 lumen and plus insect repellent. higher as shown in the example to Flashlights and Headlamps both the left. have advantages and disadvantages. 6. Fire Flashlights normally cast more light Butane lighter, windproof An added valuable feature is a vari- or lumens and are easy to turn on and matches in waterproof container. able or second low level light setting off. The disadvantage is you need to which can preserve battery life. This hold it in your hand. Headlamps have 7. Repair kit and tools feature is especially valuable on one advantage over a flashlight, they Knives, multi-tool, scissors, multi-day outings. are hands free making them extreme- pliers, screwdriver, trowel/shovel, ly popular with mountaineers duct tape, cable ties. As a final thought, practice the use of your flashlight at night including 8. Nutrition replacement of the batteries. You One day of extra food. should be able to do with your eyes closed including removal of extra 9. Hydration batteries from your pack. This simple Extra 2 liters of water practive could literally be a lifesaver for one additional day. in adverse conditions. 10. Emergency shelter Waterproofed Bivouac sack, Article by Gary Farris - RMRU Photo by Eric Holden - RMRU tarp or space blanket plus insulated sleeping pad

LED Headlamp with whoppying 320 Lumens. 8.1 Oz. with batteries Quick Open Battery Compartment

23 RMRU NEWSLETTER

.... Continued Page 21 while waiting for the helicopter to return. Search Dripping Springs Aviation, at the same time and quickly Turns out that two of the subjects are sis- July 14, 2014 geared up. After a quick briefing with ters and other was a friend. They left at pilot Mike Calhoun and TFO (Technical 6pm to hike up the mountain and quickly Temecula Area Flight Officer) Ray Heirs, we were told lost the trail. They decided to head for Written by Glenn Henderson 3 females (ages 15, 20 and 22) are stuck a ridge line and in the process slid/fell on the side of Box Springs Mountain. multiple times, saw a snake, got stuck, We got a call at 5:20 PM that an ultra-dis- They had gotten into a location where and eventually called 911 for help. After tance runner had gone for a “quick” 20 they could no longer go up or down. a very emotional interview we heard avi- mile run in the morning and had not We stowed away 3 screamer suits and 3 ation coming back and once again they returned by late in the day. Gwenda helmets and were soon air born heading plucked the last subject off the side of the Yates and I rushed down and picked up towards Riverside. mountain with surgical like precision. the team rescue vehicle and headed out to Temecula and the Dripping Springs As we approached the subjects’ location The pilot let us know that they were low Campground. we can see the light of their cell phone on fuel and after dropping off the last It had been way over 100 degrees so we being waved. Two of the subjects were subject would refuel and come back for feared the worst. When we got to Drip- us. Cameron and I got to spend some ping Springs we saw a Sheriff’s Deputy good quality time on the side of the talking to a guy in running shorts and had mountain with the city lights providing a towel wrapped around his shoulders. more than enough illumination.

After all the excitement the scene turned “He had been running and felt that quite tranquil. Shooting stars, coy- he was becoming a victim of heat otes and the rustling of grass were our exhaustion ... He was very smart companions till aviation returned. After to take the action that he did and a couple of quick hoists and a flight back probably saved his own life” to Hemet we were back to the airport at 1am. on a flat section of grass and one was RMRU RESCUER - clinging to the side of a cliff about 10ft We had a quick debrief in which we all GLENN HENDERSON down from the other two. Mike expert- ly positioned the helicopter and Ray The Deputy came over and told us that it lowered me down about 20 feet from the was our overdue runner. A great sigh of subjects. Next came our packs and finally relief! Cameron was lowered down. Cameron proceeded to get the screamer suits He had been running and felt that he was ready while I climbed down to Selena becoming a victim of heat exhaustion so who was stuck on the cliff. This cliff is ba- he found a tree to get under and waited sically very loose dirt, big rocks, and long most of the day until it cooled off and grass. She couldn’t climb up any further then walked back to the campground. as the dirt would just give way causing her to slide back down. After getting to This was a runner that runs in 50 and 100 her, I kicked some big foot holds in the agreed that the mission went great miles races regularly so he was aware of dirt and with my help we got to the flat and was just like training. We said our the signs of heat exhaustion. He was very grassy section. goodbyes and I headed home for my 90 smart to take the action that he did and minutes of sleep before the next mission. probably saved his own life. They had a few small scrapes and scratch- Big thanks to Mike and Ray with RSO es on them but were otherwise in good Aviation for once again RSO Aviation Gwenda and I headed back to the rescue condition. We got them in the screamer performed flawlessly. garage and called other members to also suits and Cameron called the helicopter turn around as the mission was over. to come pick them up. Once again the RMRU Members Present: Cameron aviation crew positioned the helicopter Dickinson and Eric Holden. RMRU Members Present: perfectly and lowered the hook. RSO Aviation: Kirk Cloyd, Glenn Henderson, Mark Hous- Pilot Mike Calhoun and TFO Ray Heirs. ton, and Les Walker. A few hoists later and two of the three subjects were flying to a nearby landing zone. We interviewed the third subject 24 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Tahquitz Rock Recovery 46 year old named James Jeselson, from New York, was last seen between Well- July 12, 2014 man’s Divide and Round Valley. He did Idyllwild, Ca. not know the area, didn’t have a map, Written by Eric Holden compass or any other survival gear, but did have a bottle of booze. We had a cell The team had just spent about 6 hours on phone ping but it put him 8.5 miles south Long Valley Dome working on high angle of the tram, very far from the last known technical rescues when our cellphones position. started alerting us of a fallen climber on Tahquitz (Lily) Rock. We quickly packed Thanks to the Tramway for staying till up our gear and took the tram back down 1am to give us a lift to Mountain Station. to our vehicles. On our way to Humber With the great assistance from two Once at top we got into contact with the Park we learned that the climber, Bryan fellow climbers, we were able to get the State Park rangers who were already Rockwood of San Diego, was killed during deceased down from the off the rock face in the field near the Hidden Lake area the fall and we were now on a recovery and airlifted out. heading south towards the cell phone mission instead of a rescue. We would like to express our thanks to ping. They recommended we check out the climbers that assisted with the recov- Round and Tamarack Valley, we agreed ery and our deepest condolences to the and off we went. We took the main trail friends and family of Bryan. towards Round Valley Campground and gave shout outs every few hundred feet. Analysis of the accident: After speaking About an hour later after one of our many with multiple witnesses this is what we shouts we heard the faintest of replies. believe happened. Bryan and his partner It was very difficult to discern the direc- were climbing Sahara Terror, a 5.7 six tion. We went about a tenth of a mile pitch route on the Northwest Recess back down the trail, our best guess, and of Tahquitz Rock. At some point in the could no longer make contact. Back to climb Bryan was on lead and the piano our original location and got a response size slab he was on came loose causing again. We set off in another best guess, his death. Miraculously no other climb- this time cross country, and after a few ers were injured from the rock fall. This hundred feet we got stronger response to route is known to have loose rock and has our shout out. Excellent! We are heading claimed lives before. in the right direction.

RMRU Members Involved: The next 30 minutes involved cross coun- Lee Arnson, Kirk Cloyd, Mike George, try travel through Round Valley, Tama- Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, Lew rack Valley and then finally up Cornell Kingman, Rob May, Dana Potts, and Les Peak. We started to smell smoke from Walker. what I figured was a campfire he started. We turned off our lights and could see the As we arrived at Humber, the Sheriff’s glow from his campfire in the treetops a Aviation unit was inspecting the accident couple hundred more feet up Cornell. We scene. Two RMRU members and two Missing Peak Hiker coroners were inserted via hoist to lunch July 2, 2014 rock while the rest of us came up the San Jacinto Peak “ We hiked up over a small ridge climber’s trail with additional gear. Written by Eric Holden and were met by a startling At 11pm I get the page that we need sight! It was not a campfire but a a hasty team to book it to the tram to forest fire! “ search for a missing hiker. I kiss my wife goodnight and head out the door for the 90 minute drive to the Palm Springs Aeri- RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN al Tramway. When arriving at the parking lot I see fellow RMRU member Cameron gearing up. We meet the Sheriff’s deputy hiked up over a small ridge and were met at the lower tram station and get the by a startling sight! It was not a campfire information on our missing subject. A but a forest fire! 25 RMRU NEWSLETTER

it till he said look higher. He had climbed State Park Rangers kept the fire from up 25 feet into a tree and hung the rain fly spreading before aviation could knock it at the top. down.

His big mistake happened when he de- Thanks to the State Park Rangers and the cided to light a signal fire. He started the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway! fire on a rock outcropping. While it was burning it collapsed down the rock face RMRU Members Involved: Cameron and spread to all of the brush and trees Dickinson and Eric Holden. below. He quickly used up all his water trying to put out the fire and spent the next few hours trying to contain it. RMRU BOARD MEMBERS About a 40ft by 20ft section of forest was He eventually heard our shouts. Luckily currently burning with at least one tree there was virtually no wind that night and 2015 on fire. Cameron radioed into base and the fire did not spread much. We hiked let the deputy know that we had a sizable him back down the main trail and got Rob May - President fire up here. I spotted the subject across back to the Long Valley Ranger’s Station the burn area and crossed through it to about 4:00am. The two State Park Rang- Kirk Cloyd - 1st Vice-President get to him. He was shaken up pretty bad- ers had made it back and were waiting for ly and I did a quick medical evaluation on us. We spoke with them and they headed Gwenda Yates - 2nd Vice-President him. He had a bad (2nd Degree) burn on off towards the fire while we returned to Eric Holden - Secretary his finger, was dehydrated but otherwise the tram station. Air crews would later in good condition. He showed no signs Pete Carlson - Treasurer of intoxication. I wrapped his finger to protect it on the hike out and he drank a liter of water pretty quick. Cameron and I went up to see what we could do about the fire. After about 30 second of trying TRAINING CALENDAR to put it out we realized that there was nothing we could do for something this big. - HELITAC: May 16 We went a few hundred feet from the fire and spoke with James a little more. Turns - Tracking: June 6 out that he had turned around about perform water drops on the fire after the halfway up to Wellman’s Divide and then sun came out. - Technical Rock July 11 on his way back down he made a left at the water spigot instead of a right. He We stayed up the rest of the night and followed the trails until they disappeared eventually took the first tram back down - High Country Camp: August 8 - 9 past Tamarack Valley Campground and the mountain. I highly recommend to then he started heading up to get a bet- James that he let EMTs take a look at his - Mock Mission: September 12 ter visual on where he was. He had found finger. He declined medical treatment an old tent that he set up and had hung and said he would take care of it him- the rain fly out to be seen by searchers. self. James went into the back country - GPS/Map & Compass: Oct. 10 He pointed it out but we could not spot without any of the proper tools that would have let him find his way back out. - Technical Rock: Nov 7 - 8 He had no light source, map, compass, “ His big mistake happened when G.P.S., or warm clothing. Luckily it was a - HELITAC Night Ops: Dec. 5 warm night. he decided to light a signal fire..... While it was burning it collapsed He started a fire in some of the driest down the rock face and spread to all conditions Southern California has seen of the brush and trees below. “ and it quickly got out of control. The larg- est fire in Californian history was started RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN the same way (out of control signal fire). The low winds and the quick work of the 26 RMRU NEWSLETTER You Can Help ! There are several ways you can help RMRU Countless people owe their lives JOIN OUR SEARCH & RESCUE TEAM RMRU is always looking for new members! We are an all-volunteer, non-profit team of rescue volunteers who are always looking for qualified people to join our team of dedicated rescue members. As a member of the Mountain Rescue Association, we are not your average search and rescue team. In addition to what is expected of most SAR teams, we specialize in high-angle rope rescue and extended back country and mountain rescue missions. If you think you have what it takes to be part of an elite mountain rescue team, please join us at one of our monthly meetings normally held the Wednesday of every month. While the regular meeting begins at 7 pm, a training season begins at 6 pm and is a great opportunity to meet one on one with team members. We meet at Sheriff’s Office Valley Vista substation at 43950 Acacia Street in Hemet. Email [email protected] ahead of time to make sure there will be someone out front to meet you. We look forward to meeting you! BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER

Even if you can’t join us in the field, your contribution can help make a vital difference in our mission to save lives. RMRU is a completely volunteer search and rescue team that covers Riverside County and assists other SAR teams in other counties and states. Each member purchases their own equipment and takes time off work, without compensation, to participate in search and rescue missions. Team equipment is purchased from contributions from the community. We are a non-profit organization and are funded by donations from people like you. Your donations allow us to keep our training and team gear updated and help us to save lives. This includes our rescue trucks and at present we seek to replace our prima- ry truck at an estimate cost of $100,000. Donations of any size are appreciated, however if you would like be a sustaining member, please fill out the form below. We also take PAYPAL donations at info@rmru. SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP APPLICATON Your Donaton is deductible from both your state and Federal taxes RMRU tax ID number for Not-for-Profit status 95-2497048 NAME ______ADDRESS ______CITY ______STATE ______ZIP ______Membership Types: Please send your donaton to: O Benefactor Club $1,000 + O Summit Club $500 Riverside Moutain Rescue Unit O Patron Club $200 43950 Acacia Street O Century Club $100 Hemet, California 92544 O Supporting Club $25 RMRU NEWSLETTER

VERSID RI E

Thank You! To all that volunteer their time and financial assistance.... M

E O U Countless people owe their lives U C N S T A I N R E OUR SUSTAINING MEMBERS

BENEFACTOR CLUB $1,000.00+ Olivet University | Brad & Sally Scott | Marvin Matsumoto | John Hadly Green Planet | Lori Lansens & Milan Cheylov William Howard Warneke Memorial Foundation SUMMIT CLUB $500.00+ Norine May Biehl | Rotary Anns Idyllwild PATRON CLUB $200.00+ Theodore Young | Florian Boyd | Daryl Dichek | Maria Esquetini John Perez | Westcoe Realtors, Inc. | Tony Hughes CENTURY CLUB $100.00+ Richard & April Bolin | Victor & Donna Hill | Allan & Nancy Rabin Dr. Carol J. Lovatt | Nancy Carter | Jeffrey Cribben | Ellen Coleman James Collins | Hans Weber | Brian & Chantal Harold a SUPPORTING $25.00+ Marydoris Powers | Diann Coate | Tom Kaczmarek | Huy Nguyen Bill & Melody Blaschko | Bill & Juanita Starmer | Kenneth Williams Leonard Thompson | Edward & Dianne Verdugo | Carol & Victor Karidakes Benjamin Crowell & Gretchen Angelo | Raquell Harris Richard Goldberg MD Craig & Janice Coopersmith | Janet Reynolds | William Faurot

ACTIVE TEAM MEMBERS

Lee Arnson - Idyllwild | Steve Bryant - Alta Loma | Pete Carlson - Blue Jay Carlos Carter - Perris | Kirk Cloyd - La Quinta | Cameron Dickinson - Murrieta Joe Erickson - San Bernardino | Gary Farris - Palm Desert Michael George - Riverside | Donny Goetz - Los Angeles | Eric Hannum - Menifee Glenn Henderson - Hemet | Mike Herman - Idyllwild | Eric Holden - Temecula Mark Houston - Moreno Valley | Tony Hughes - Yorba Linda | Ray Hussey - Riverside Matt Jordon - Palm Springs | Kevin Kearn - Huntington Beach | Lew Kingman - Redlands Kaylean May - Riverside | Rob May - Riverside | Roger May - Canyon Lake Patrick McCurdy - Riverside | Dana Potts - Corona | Brad Scott - Moreno Valley Frank Snider - Riverside | Judy Spowart - Temecula | Dave Webb - Riverside Ray Weden - Murrieta | Ty Whittersheim - Hemet | Gwenda Yates - Hemet