Remembering Dr. Ray Hussey 1934 - 2016 RMRU 1984 - 2016

Mission Reviews October 2015 - April 2016 Team Training - Winter Shakedown - Snow Anchors / Sled Raise & Lower - Initial Riverside County Joint SAR Mock Mission Snow & Ice MRA Re-Certification - Mammoth Mountain Dr. Ray Hussey

RIVERSIDE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT

1986 Ray leaving helicopter Summit of San Jacinto (10,835 feet) ON THE COVER: Dr. Ray - 1987 Winter Mission RMRU NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE

MISSION REVIEWS - Oct 2015 - Apr. 2016 Page 4 TESTIMONIALS - Letters Page 9 TEAM TRAINING - Winter Snowshoe, Overnight Backpack Page 10 - Snow Anchors Page 16 - Riverside County Joint SAR Mock Mission Page 28 MRA SNOW & ICE RE-CERTIFICATION RIVERSIDE MOUNTAIN RESCUE UNIT - Mammoth Mountain Page 22

Dr. Ray Hussey 1934-2016 On Joining RMRU He has gotten out on top of Mount to newer team members over the Dr. Ray Hussey joined RMRU in San Jacinto in the winter when the years. 1984 and already had a great deal peak was covered in over 10 feet of experience in Backpacking, of hard packed snow. One such rescue was on July 13, Camping, and a general outdoor 1985 when a young male hiker knowledge. He was a useful field took a fall and fractured an ankle member right away and did not Thank you Ray for your and suffered head injuries at the need much training. Ray was in RMRU Service from 1984 - base of Tahquitz Rock. Due to loss good physical shape and could 2016 and your friendship... of fluids from injuries, Dr. Hus- hike with a full pack all day. Over sey hooked up an IV solution of the years Ray went on over 100 Ringers lactate to help get fluids You will be missed but missions and over 100 trainings back into his system. He was and everyone remembers how he NEVER forgotten! carried down to Humber Park and always had a smile on his face and transported to Idyllwild Ball Field, a joke ready for every situation. It is very icy and you exit the heli- where a helicopter took him to His ability to keep things light and copter with ice axe ready in case Loma Linda Medical Center. easy going in hard times was a you started to slide. He has been great help to keeping everyone let off on top of cliffs with over a On March 11, 1986 on a search for in a good mood when things got hundred foot drop on one side. a hiker missing on Mt. San Jacinto hard. He was serious when needed He has been on many technical with over 12 feet of snow on the and had level head for seeing what rock missions and been lowered summit. Ray was flown to the sum- needed to be done and then mak- or repelled over the side to give mit in powerful wind gusts 30 to 40 ing sure it did get done correctly. medical aid to injured persons, mph where only one person at a sometimes in the middle of the time could safely be in the helicop- Ray has been on many missions night with the only light being ter. He and another team member involving getting in and out of he- headlamps. He does all of this with then found tracks leading down licopters in hazardous conditions. expert skill that he has passed on from the summit. These tracks Continued on Page 8 3 RMRU NEWSLETTER

Mission Reviews October 2015 - April 2016

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.

Hoist Soboba Canyon to perform a hoist. At this point Peak and got to the top around 5:30 October 06, 2015 the rest of our team arrived at the as it was getting dark. As they left the Soboba, San Jacinto scene. The terrain between us and Peak and came down to the Saddle Written by Cameron Dickinson our subject below was very steep, just below the Peak they went right with soft soil, and lots of loose down the Little Round Valley Trail. They lost the trail in the dark and A rescue call went out to the team rock. We determined with a careful on the evening of October 6th re- made a shelter to spend the night in approach, we can safely get down shorts and T-shirts with sweat shirts. garding a male that was immobile to our subject. We were able to They could not get any cell reception in steep terrain in the hills north- get to subject, confirmed he didn’t where they spent the night. The next east of the Soboba Casino. As the require any medical attention, and morning, they started heading down team was dispatched to the scene radioed to our Aviation awaiting and finally got a call in to 911. We got it was unclear at that time whether overhead that were preparing for their location from there phone and it this mission would require an aerial a hoist. Our subject was hoisted turned out they were very close to the hoist or a technical rescue from the up into the helicopter and safely Seven Pines Trail all the way down by ground. Fellow team member Eric dropped off in an open field by the Azalea Trails Girl Scout Camp. and myself were in route to the road below. Hemet Ryan Airport, while Kevin, Glenn, and Gwenda were on their RMRU Members Involved: “They lost the trail in the dark way to scene with the team Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, and made a shelter to spend Eric Holden, and Tony Hughes. vehicle. the night in shorts and T-shirts with sweat shirts.” Once we arrived at the airport, Sheriff’s Aviation had already Two Hikers Lost RMRU RESCUER- obtained the subjects GPS coor- Overnight Tramway PETE CARLSON dinates of his location. With this October 13, 2015 We arrived at the Camp to find a information we were able review Seven Pines Trail Sheriff Deputy who was on his cell the terrain using satellite mapping Written by Pete Carlson which helped us better understand phone with the two hikers and was sounding his siren ever five minutes the conditions which our subject At 9:30 am we received a call that and the hikers said they could hear it was in. The plan was to be dropped two hikers had called 911 on their and were very close now. In 10 min- cell phone after having just spent the off on the hill above our subject, utes they walked into the Camp and night out lost. They had left the Tram- hike down to see if was possible to we met up with them. They were fine, reach our subject with the intent way at 2:30pm to hike to San Jacinto 4 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 just a little tired and hungry, both called Dana who lives in Corona to in good condition. As the helicop- were in their early twenties and in meet the helicopter in a field near ter hovered above, we were able good physical shape. After talking for his home. Before Dana got going to hoist up one person at a time, a few minutes the Sheriff was going to the Sheriff called Gwenda back followed by myself. From there we give them a ride back to the Tramway and said the subject had walked returned safely back to the Airport. to pick up their car. out on his own. RMRU Members Involved: RMRU Members Involved: Pete Carlson, Cameron Dickinson, RMRU Members Involved: Cameron Dickinson and Dana Potts. Glenn Henderson, Tony Hughes, and Dana Potts and Gwenda Yates. Wayne Smith. Riverside Sheriff’s Office: Aviation and Deputy Bruce. Hoist Soboba Hills Lost Male 60 Year Old October 31, 2015 October 13, 2015 Soboba Hills, San Jacinto Car Over Main Divide Menifee Written by Cameron Dickinson Written by Glenn Henderson Road I received a mission call-out on November 23, 2015 Main Divide Road, Lake Elsinore The team was called out at the end Halloween evening to perform a Written by Cameron Dickinson of the Seven Pines trail mission hoist evacuation of two local 17 year old males which were stuck to search for a missing person in A call went out to the Team around on the side of a steep hill in the Menifee. The person lived at the 10:00pm to respond to and as- Soboba hills north of San Jacinto. end of a rural dirt road and was last sist Cal-Fire in evacuating a male I became familiar with this loca- seen at 7:30 AM the day before. driver that drove off a paved road, tion, as I did a hoist rescue there a It was now 12:30 the next day. He coming to a stop 500 feet down few weeks prior. Dana Potts also also had some physical issues and into the canyon below. Since I’m responded to the call, and was in was confined to a wheel chair. We more local to the Hemet-Ryan route to the Hemet-Ryan Airport. were assigned to search for tracks Airport, I would drive there for Since there was minimal room along one of the main roads in the a possible helicopter extraction, in the aircraft, Dana would be on area. We did not find anything and while team members Dana, Don- standby. were released at 3:30 in the after- ny, Ray, and Tony were in route to noon. He was eventually located in meet awaiting Deputies and Cal good condition three days later. fire at the scene. “.... this time I would be RMRU Members Involved: Quick information provided on the Pete Carlson, Cameron Dickinson, hoisted down a few feet below Glenn Henderson, Tony Hughes, Kevin on the downslope of our two male subject, he was conscious and alert, and was able to respond Kearn, Dana Potts, and Wayne Smith subjects.” to verbal communication. Once RMRU RESCUER - we arrived, Cal-Fire was already on Hoist Corona - CAMERON DICKINSON scene providing medical attention to the subject. Since the terrain Walked Out Unlike the mission prior where October 18, 2015 was so thick with deep brush, the the RSO helicopter dropped us off Corona Hills fastest method of getting him out on the hilltop and hiked down to Written by Pete Carlson was by helicopter evacuation. our subject, this time I would be hoisted down a few feet below on Gwenda got the call from the As we flew overhead, I was low- the downslope of our two subjects. Sheriff that a hiker was stuck on a ered down to the subject, followed After being lowered down, I was hillside in Corona and they need- by the litter (stretcher) basket. able to do a quick assessment of ed someone for a hoist. Gwenda With the assistance of Cal-Fire, we our 2 males. Both were unhurt and 5 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016

were able to gently load him into er on the trail and the air tem- Lost Hikers Tramway the basket, secure him in place, perature may have been in the November 29, 2015 and hoist him up and out to await- upper teens. At this point, a hurt Wellman Divide Area ing paramedics at fire station just ankle was beginning to turn into Written by Eric Holden down the hill in Lake Elsinore. a secondary concern as hypother- At 8:30pm we get the callout, mia was a likely possibility if help Hasty Team needed at the Palm RMRU Members Involved: didn’t arrive soon. Cameron Dickinson, Donny Goetz, Tony Springs Aerial Tramway to look for 3 missing hikers. I quickly grab Hughes, Dana Potts, and Ray Weden. We decided to ditch the litter on my stuff and head out the door, the side of the trail as it was slow- making sure to take extra jackets Riverside Sheriff’s Office: ing us down so we could get to Sheriff’s Aviation. as on our last mission temps were their last known point quicker. We in the teens. I met Cameron in the got word that California State Park parking lot of the tram when one Rangers were also assisting on this Two Hiker Near of the employees said he the tram rescue. They were coming from was closed and we would not be Wellman Cienega the Long Valley Ranger Station riding up. At this time Glenn got in November 27, 2015 over Wellman Divide. RMRU Mem- contact with us and Cameron and San Jacinto State Park Wilderness bers Eric, Judy, and Dana were Written by Raymond Weden I drove down to one of the lower staged at Humber Park ready for a parking lots where RSO Aviation possible hoist rescue. Sheriff’s Avi- Around 8pm RMRU was activated (STAR-9) was waiting to fly us in. for a pair of lost hikers reported ation was off duty for the evening to be near Wellman Cienega. The however a crew came in on their initial information we received day off to be ready to assist us. was that one of the hikers had a hurt ankle. Glenn, Cameron and Shortly before 3am on now the I arrived at the Deer Springs trail next day, the Park Rangers made head within a few minutes of each contact with our missing hikers. other. With Glenn running base After giving our missing hikers operations, Cameron and I started some warmer clothes, it turned up the Deer Springs trail with the out not to be a sprained ankle and the Rangers hiked them out litter and wheel anticipating our Subjects and Cameron by fire injured hiker needing the ride out. towards Saddle Junction down to Humber Park to our awaiting team After a briefing with Glenn and members. TFO Eric Hannum we found that “It was easily in the 20’s and the subjects had been spotted RMRU Members Involved: an early season storm had just Cameron Dickinson, Eric Holden, from the helicopter and had built a passed through the area. “ Glenn Henderson, Dana Potts, substantial fire. Their location put Judy Spowart, and Raymond Weden. them near Wellman’s Divide, very RMRU RESCUER - close to a location I was at during RAYMOND WEDEN Riverside Sheriff’s Office: our Radio Coverage training a few Sheriff’s Aviation. months ago. Kirk showed up just as we were about to leave to wish It was easily in the 20’s and an Other Agencies: us good travels on our journey. early season storm had just passed San Jacinto State Park Rangers. through the area. As Cam and I Even though the strong winds starting climbing up in elevation were pushing the helicopter the snow starting getting thick- around quite a bit, the expert 6 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 piloting skills of Andy Rasmussen navigation tools to make it back earlier that day, however the skies has us on the ground in Round to the tram. Utilizing a map at had cleared up and was partly Valley without incident. We made every trail junction or a GPS would cloudy. the quick hike up to ~9500ft and have prevented them getting lost. located the subjects within 75ft of They did the right thing once they Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation was the Lat./Long provided to us by realized they were lost which was dispatched to try and locate the aviation. to stay put. This turned what could subjects. They were located up have been hours of searching into on the mountain, and their GPS a quick find. Big thanks to the coordinates were provided. Team Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation unit for members Lee, Judy, and myself their help with the search and to headed up the mountain. Glenn the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. would operate base. Other team members Ray, Tony, Eric, and RMRU Members Involved: Wayne were either in route, or Cameron Dickinson, Eric Holden, on scene. As Lee, Judy & myself Glenn Henderson, and Kirk Cloyd. approached the subject’s location, we shouted out to them with no Sheriff’s Aviation: response. We radioed back to Andy Rasmussen (Pilot), Subjects , Cameron, and Eric at base, and other team members Eric Hannum (TFO). Upper Tram Station were asked to see if the subject’s The first thing we noticed is that car was still in the parking lot. there were 4 people, not 3. The substantial fire was actually quite Lake Hemet Search Ray would drive to that location, December 11, 2015 small but looked big as they made and radioed back indicating that Lake Hemet, Garner Valley it next to a boulder that illuminat- Written by Camerson Dickinson their car had left the parking lot. ed the entire area very well. The Because of the dropping temps subjects were very happy to see us The team was dispatched on De- with concerns of the young child, and although a little cold, in good cember 11th to locate two adults the subjects decided to head back spirits. They all had jackets, food and a young child that went miss- towards their vehicle. Luckily, they and water. ing near Lake Hemet. were able to find their vehicle, and ended up leaving. The Deputy Along the way we found out that The couple decided to take a later was able to call the subjects, and they had made it to the peak in afternoon hike off-trail into the confirmed that they did leave. The great time but lost the trail at forest south of the lake. Later Deputy was able stay in touch and Wellman’s Divide, quite a common in the evening the couple called correspond with them thereafter. occurrence if you are not paying 911 and reported that they were attention. They tried to find the lost and unable to find their way RMRU Members Involved: trail but when it got dark they back to their vehicle. The missing Lee Arnson, Cameron Dickinson, Glenn decided to text out for someone to Henderson, Eric Holden, Tony Hughes, couple expressed that they had Wayne Smith, Judy Spowart, and dial 911 as they had spotty service. some warm clothes and water. The Ray Weden. They then stayed put and made a Deputy was able to make phone small fire to keep warm. contact with the subjects and was Riverside Sheriff’s Office: asked them to stay where they Sheriff’s Aviation. The subjects were decently pre- were so the searchers could get pared for their hike with extra to them, provide aid if necessary, water, food and clothing but and guide them back down. The unfortunately lacked the necessary weather was cold and had snowed Continued on Page 12 7 RMRU NEWSLETTER from Page 3 DR. RAY HUSSEY (1934 - 2016) eventually lead to the rescue of new Medical ideas to RMRU for the missing hiker. use in the field. Some members have come on the team for sev- “RMRU motivates me Another mission was on Tahquitz eral years or more and then leave because…..I like helping Rock, but this time in the dark on and hardly anyone remembers people, mountaineering & Jan 1, 1987. Ray was flown into them or what they did. Ray with Lunch Rock at the base of Tah- his long term of service, high skill the great outdoors” quitz around 7pm, where the pilot levels, and ability to pass on what RMRU RESCUER - placed one skid down on the 100 he knows makes him a member Dr. Ray Hussey foot tall boulder and Ray stepped of RMRU who will not be forgot- out into the dark. He then hiked ton for many years in the future. Riverside, California. around the base of the rock to the Ray no longer went in the field on route the injured climber was on missions but still attended meet- If I could have any job, I would…... and then ascended up 130 feet ings and keeps RMRU updated on do the same thing all over again. to ascertain the injuries. It was new medical ideas. Ray is a perfect My hobbies are…..woodworking, determined he had some sort of example of what we look for and playing handball, the tenor banjo fracture to the hip and his ribs. want in a member for RMRU. & the ukulele. After a litter was brought up, Ray became the attendant and was You can strive to…..and accom- lowered down with the subject in plish anything you want to, with the litter. He then helped taking the proper motivation. the litter down the long and steep My favorite type of music is….. slope out to Humber Park. He was classical... especially Mozart & put into an ambulance and taken Dixieland Jazz. to the hospital. I never saw…..combat but was with the USAF in SAC for 8 1/2 yrs. I have been on RMRU for…..30 years. “Ray is a perfect example of what we look for and What I’ve learned…..mostly has been technical rescue. want in a member for RMRU motivates me because…..I RMRU.” like helping people, mountaineer- This is an interview with Ray 2 ing & the great outdoors. years ago: People wonder…..why I do what I do, I always say because I like to. In the past 30 years has served on Name: Ray Hussey My most memorable moment the Board of Directors for 15 years Age: 80 with the team is…..the fall Kevin as (Board Member, Secretary, Job: Invasive Radiologist & Walker & I took at the old River- Vice President, and President). He Radiotherapist side quarry. has also served for 5 years on the Background: Rescue Committee and gone to I grew up.....in Newport, R.I. I offer this advice to wilderness National Conferences on Technical I live in.....Riverside, California. travelers…...always carry the ten Standards were he has brought When I was a kid…...I enjoyed essentials and read and under- back many new and good ideas for body surfing, boating outings stand the best book- Technical Rescue. He has been on commercial fishing with my uncle. MOUNTAINEERING-The Freedom the Medical Committee for almost My family is…...located in Middle- of the Hills. all 30 years and brought many town, Rl., Mt Pleasant, SC & 8 RMRU NEWSLETTER Testimonials

Our Reward are the people we help

VERSID RI E

M

E O U U C N S T A I N R E

Dear Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit, Words cannot describe the feelings and thankfulness for saving our brother’s life. How precious each and every one of you are to care enough to risk your own lives to save another’s. Your dedication, professionalism, your tal- ents and skills, your compassion and your willingness are so very appreciated. WOW! ! Katherine

To the Riverside Mountain Rescue Team, Thank you for taking time out of your night on Friday to search for my friend Heidi, and I when we lost the trail on the way back from San Jacinto Peak. While I know it is something you gladly do – and enjoy – I do apologize for taking up your time because I made a very horrible mistake. You guys are awesome! Tom

Dear Sirs, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the search and rescue from Cabazon Moun- tain. Words can never even begin to express the new found appreciation and admiration I have for the jobs that each and every one of you do. I really appreciate the quick response to your Rescue Unit and the coordination with the Sheriff’s department. Because of your quick action I believe that I am here today and with my family and now have a new outlook on life and what is really important, and I thank you for that. Thank you for staying with my family during this time. Your compassions for humanity really shows. Best Regards Always, Won

Dear Friends, I just celebrated my first anniversary of being saved by your dedicated volunteers. My hats off to you especially Sully who went way beyond the call of duty. Keep up the good works. God Bless Al

Dear Sirs, I would like to thank you on behalf of my husband and granddaughter for the assistance you gave and my son’s family last night and this morning. My husband and I are not hikers (although my husband is a retired Ma- rine) so this is something we don’t ordinarily do. When we got stuck up in the forest overnight we knew we would have to fend for ourselves, but we also were pretty certain that our son and daughter-in-law would call for help. They did and you were magnificent. I also want to thank the volunteer search and rescue team, which was following us even though we never saw them. I know that having such a group is your area gives your residents and guests a great sense of security. I know that they are not under your command, but would you please forward our thanks. Kim

9 RMRU NEWSLETTER

TRAINING

WINTER SNOWSHOE - OVERNIGHT BACKPACK January 9 - 10, 2016 Upper Tram Station - Tamarack Valley

We rode up the Tramway on the training. 7:30 pre-public car with the State Park Rangers and Volunteers. The We found a slope on the side of purpose of this training is for new Cornell Peak that had enough members to try out their winter snow for what we wanted to do. equipment and for old We set up different types of snow anchors: (Pickets vertically and horizontally, Deadmen, and we built snow bollards). Some of these held quite well and others Snow Cooking and Meal Station failed right away. It all depends on the snow conditions what anchors searching for it. We formed a line about 50 feet apart from each other and then walked down the “This is always a fun challeng- avalanche area until someone’s Tent Setup in Fresh 3 - 4 foot ing route that gets quite steep transceiver picked up the signal. deep snow in places, but a good workout We found and dug out the buried members to be sure their old gear and training for winter packs.” transceiver in about 3 minutes. We is still working. So off we went with then repeated the exercise several average pack weight of 50 pounds more times. each. We chose to go up the ski RMRU - Pete Carlson route to the saddle between Yale and Harvard Peaks and then drop work best, but we wanted to show down into Tramarack Valley to everyone each type and explain spend the night and train. This is why they worked or failed. always a fun challenging route that gets quite steep in places, but In the late afternoon we then got a good workout and training for out our avalanche transceivers winter packs. and showed everyone how they Line-up in preparation to probe worked. We then had one person for buried subject. Once in camp we set up tents bury one and the rest of us started and had lunch before starting the

10 RMRU NEWSLETTER WINTER SNOW SHAKEDOWN JANUARY 9 - 10

Then we buried two transceivers, like two buried skiers, and went about finding then and digging them up.

“We found and dug out the buried transceiver in about 3 minutes. We then repeated the exercise several more times.”

RMRU - Pete Carlson

Our new transceivers allow us to search for and mark up to three Snowshoeing up hill in fresh powder snow buried transceivers at one time. near the saddle between

Then it was time for dinner around the tents for the night. Winter the table. We built a round table nights get cold in a hurry and RMRU Members Involved: Pete Carlson, Cameron Dickinson, and dug out around it so we could seem to last a long time. By 7am we were getting up and cook- Gary Farris, Glenn Henderson, sit 10 members around the table Eric Holden, Tony Hughes, Kevin Kearn, to cook and eat as a group. This ing breakfast before continuing Rob May, Frank Snider, and Ray Weden. worked out well until the sun went training. We were out in the valley down and everyone headed into practicing avalanche probing in Article by Pete Carlson a line when the call for the first mission of the year came in Lost Skier out of the Tramway.

“We were practicing avalanche probing when the radio call came in... So training became the Snow Anchor Practice real thing.” RMRU - Pete Carlson

So training became the real thing as we got ready to search. Some headed back to the upper Tram- way to get more information and run the mission while the rest of us stayed put and melted snow so we would have full water bottles for After using transponder to the upcoming search. find subject - digging out

Testing a Snow Anchor to Failure (it didn’t fail) 11 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 Stranded Hikers the two for any medical complica- the Tramway the day before. We December 27, 2015 tions. After it was quickly estab- started to get organized by having Hills above Corona lished that they were physically Glenn, Rob, Ray, and Frank head Written by Dana Potts able to be hoisted, RSO moved back to the upper Tramway to run in and hoisted the two up to the base and find out more informa- In the late evening hours of De- warmth and safety of the airship. tion. The rest of us started melting cember 27th, 2015, a male and a They were flown a short distance snow to refill all the water bottles female hiker had called 9-1-1 to re- to the Deputy Sheriff awaiting so everyone would have 2-3 litters port that they had become lost off their arrival. of water when we started search- of a trail in south Corona. Darkness ing. We all would be carrying 45-55 had fallen and the only light source The airship then returned to get pound packs with all our winter they had with them were their cel- Dana. This rescue was a collab- gear. lular phones. The couple did have orative effort between the 9-1-1 water and some snacks with them, system, the Riverside Police however they were not dressed for Department, Riverside Sheriff’s “the team was conducting our overnight temperatures. Initially, Department and the Riverside annual overnight winter back- a helicopter from the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit. Lastly, pack / snowshoe shakedown Police Department located the two without the technical skills of the (see page 10) when the radio south of Upper Drive. Once it was Riverside Sheriff’s Departments Air call came in” established that the two could not Crew to safely and expeditiously hike out of their location and local perform their duties the couple RMRU RESCUER - PETE CARLSON resources in Corona could not get would have spent additional hours to them, RMRU was called. in the field. The air program and It took a good 90 minutes before its highly trained crews constantly Glenn and crew got back to the perform these missions at night upper Tramway and got all the “The air program and its using night vision flying in moun- information. It turned out that highly trained crews constant- tain environments with unpredict- Evan had come up Sat morning ly perform these missions at able conditions. and gone to San Jacinto Peak to night using night vision.” ski back down again. So we sent RMRU Members Involved: team 1 to Wellman Divide and RMRU RESCUER - Dana Potts. then they were to check down the DANA POTTS trail to Saddle Junction for any Riverside Sheriff’s Office: signs of ski tracks headed down While this was occurring, team Sheriff’s Aviation. into the Wellman drainage. Team member Dana Potts was watching 2 was going to San Jacinto Peak the event unfold as it was occur- and check the North Face and then ring within view of his house in Skier Lost Overnight down towards Little Round Valley. south Corona. Dana was called January 10, 2016 Team 3 was going to Round Valley and advised that he was needed to Tramway - San Jacinto Wilderness and then the high trail to Hidden Written by Pete Carlson attempt a hoist rescue of the two. Lake again looking for ski tracks. An additional helicopter crew was The State Park was sending a team called in to conduct the mission. We were having our annual win- ter shakedown hike and had just to Hidden Lake and then down to Within a few hours, Dana was Willow Creek Crossing looking to picked up by the RSO helicopter in spent the night in Tamarack Valley. We were practicing avalanche line tracks. We hoped to find some sign a field near the location and flown from one of the teams. over the two subjects. RSO low- probing when we got the radio call at 9am that a day skier had not ered Dana down to the two and As all teams were out on assign- backed away while Dana checked returned last night from a trip up 12 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 ment around 2:30pm when we Hoist Rescue was not a major concern, one of got word that Evan had walked February 6, 2016 the three had reportedly injured into Snow Creek Village area and North Mountain, San Jacinto City his ankle, and the group was with- a Sheriff Deputy was going to pick Written by Kevin Kearn out water, food, or the ability to him up. shelter for the night. On Saturday after a long day of snow and ice rescue training above Idyllwild, the Riverside Sheriff’s Office (RSO) alerted RMRU to “ Together with the pilot and rescue three young males, ages 17- Technical Flight Officer (TFO) 18, stranded above the city of San we planned to drop me in first, Jacinto. Glenn directed Ray and followed by Ray” myself to report to the RSO’s Avi- ation Detachment at Hemet-Ryan RMRU RESCUER - KEVIN KEARN Airfield to attempt to conduct a Search Team Members hoist of the three-man group as about to begin search on snowshoes Ray and I arrived and reconfigured the sun was starting to go down. our packs to conduct a hoist. Hav- We all waited until the Deputy ing just come off of snow and ice confirmed that it was Evan. All that afternoon, we slimmed down teams then hiked back to the our packs and loaded up ‘screamer upper Tramway by 4:30pm and suits’ to extract our subjects. We went down to have a meal in Palm also brought medical equipment Springs before heading home. to possibly splint the ankle injury We have since learned that Evan if required. Together with the pilot reached the Summit and it was and Technical Flight Officer (TFO) very cloudy and he could not see we planned to drop me in first, much. He skied off the North Face followed by Ray. After evaluating by mistake and just kept going the subjects and rendering any until the snow ran out. He then left emergency care, we’d suit up the his skis and continued down on first two subjects, and then the foot. He spent the night under a TFO would hoist Ray back up. As boulder and in the morning contin- I hooked the subjects up below, ued down and across the Isthmus the TFO would hoist them and passed the water district buildings Ray would secure them inside the and down the road to Snow Creek aircraft. I would remain with the Village. third subject as they flew the other two down to the command post RMRU Members Involved: established by RSO Deputy Pingle Pete Carlson, Cameron Dickinson, on Soboba Rd below. Then they’d Gary Farris, Glenn Henderson, return and extract the third subject Eric Holden, Tony Hughes, Kevin Kearn, RSO had established communica- and myself. Rob May, Frank Snider, and Ray Weden. tions with the party via cell phone Other Agencies: and had a relatively accurate fix on After launching at 6pm, condi- San Jacinto State Park. their location just southwest of the tions changed as we approached “S” in the mountains above Hemet the mountains. It was now dark and San Jacinto. Temperatures and the Santa Ana winds that were unseasonably warm in the had brought the warm weather 60’s in and although hypothermia 13 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016

were now much more severe in inside. I’m sure our subjects were the mountains. The subjects, who disheartened to see our aircraft Since technical ground operations seemed fine, were on a knife edge depart - I could empathize. We are significantly faster and easier spine that came off a steep ridge descended and landed near the if we can drop teams laden with into a canyon with a high wall RSO command post off Soboba extra equipment above the sub- close to subjects. The spine itself Rd. and talked to Deputy Pingle on jects to descend rather than climb was less than 6 feet wide with the ground. to them, our pilots agreed to let 20’+ drop offs on either side. The us conduct a better aerial recon- restrictive terrain amplified wind The weather forecast was for naissance while our ground team gusts which were already sus- continued winds all night. We con- and rescue truck assembled over tained at 30 knots. tacted Glenn Henderson and let the next two hours. In order to him know that we had to abort the find a suitable Landing Zone (LZ) hoist and that the position of the and identify a route to the sub- “Still Ray and I, having had subjects would require a ground jects, the pilot suggested we go solid training for years with rescue that would probably de- back and get Night Vision Goggles this very crew, were supremely mand some limited technical (NVGs) for the TFO and I since confident in their judgement work given their position and the illumination was so poor. We flew and ability.” unknown mobility of the ankle-in- back to Hemet-Ryan airfield. We jured subject. Glen and Gwenda, got the goggles but while prepar- RMRU RESCUER - KEVIN KEARN still at the MRA conference in Salt ing a different aircraft, RSO got Lake City, then put out the call another call to assist the Idyllwild Over our headsets, we acknowl- for reinforcements from the rest Fire Department. RSO now asked edged that this was extremely of the team – already exhausted that Ray and I assist in rescuing a tricky. With the door open, hooked and probably asleep after intense critically injured man whose car up, and my feet on the skid, I training on snow and ice all day. had gone off a cliff near Poppet remembered the fact that more Flats (see Mission 2016-003). We mountain rescue personnel are let the team know we’d been re- killed in aircraft incidents than on “In order to find a suitable Land- tasked. cliffs or accidents on the ground. ing Zone (LZ) and identify a route Still Ray and I, having had solid to the subjects, the pilot sug- We reloaded our original aircraft, training for years with this very gested we go back and get Night swapped our screamer suits for crew, were supremely confident Vision Goggles” a collapsible stokes litter, and in their judgement and ability. We launched to assist Idyllwild. When knew if anyone could lower us into RMRU RESCUER - KEVIN KEARN we arrived, firemen were nearly a tiny target in high winds and “pin complete in hauling the victim the tail on the donkey”, the Pilot up the steep slope with their own and TFO could. Of course, there Deputy Pingle informed us that haul system. Although we landed was also a risk that we might get the subjects, who originally had briefly, it was clear that the vic- stranded down there if the winds three cellphones, now had only tim’s serious head injuries pre- increased between hoists as well. one still charged with only 30% cluded evacuation on the outside battery left. We asked that he of RSO’s aircraft, and a special After another gust of wind pushed update the subjects and direct the helicopter (Mercy Air) with para- our tiny helicopter precariously them to conserve their remaining medic onboard and capability to toward the wall again, our wise power by switching to airplane internally load the litter was on its pilots decided to abort for now – it mode and only coming up at the way. We did observe that winds was just too dangerous. The TFO top of the hour for ten minutes (or had died down significantly and signaled abort and I climbed back an emergency). took off to check winds near our

14 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 original subjects’ location on the extraction point. getting them to location where we mountain. found them. When I asked, what There we quickly suited up the he planned to do after high school, Winds had dropped below 30 two eighteen-year olds – including he responded,” I plan to join the knots when we arrived at the the one with the twisted ankle. Army. I plan to go Infantry.” point last seen on the knife edge, (The seventeen-year old asked however our subjects had moved. that the other two go before him.) The helicopter returned, lowered Since they were surrounded by Ray went up first and I sent up a screamer suit to me, and he was steep drop offs, it was more likely the other two as planned. As we hoisted into the aircraft before I that they had mustered the cour- waited for the helicopter to return followed him. We landed shortly age to scramble up the class 4+ for us, I gave the remaining seven- thereafter at the command post slope above them. Without locat- teen-year old a liter of water and where Deputy Pingle took charge ing their exact location and not food. of the three. While I re-packed the wanting to waste time with the screamer suits at the aircraft, Dep- window of low winds, we returned He explained how he had brought uty Pingle took a picture of our to Hemet-Ryan Airfield again to eight (8 Oz.) bottles of water to hikers in good health and spirits swap out the litter and retrieve the hike with his two friends. One of with Ray. screamer suits. The extraction plan the two brought three Fiber-1 bars remained the same if we could not The rest of RMRU’s ground team, actually land. I attempted to call having fully assembled now with Lee and update the RMRU ground seven additional personnel, all of team again before we launched. “Radio antennas and obsta- whom had trained hard all day cles made it difficult to find in the snow, was relieved that it As we returned, we stopped briefly a place to safely land so we didn’t have to continue the mis- near the command post to load executed the hoist plan. “ sion and buoyed by the success of the new coordinates Deputy Pin- this rescue before midnight. This gle had obtained for the subjects’ RMRU RESCUER - KEVIN KEARN ended the second mission in a row location. As predicted, they had that happened after a long day(s) ascended and were not far from but no one else brought food, of team training. The fact that nine the top. This was also good news water, or supplies besides a pair exhausted, volunteer rescuers re- in the that the reportedly ankle-in- of gloves and sweatshirts. No one turned again for what could have jured subject was mobile. After fly- had a map. Despite acknowledg- been another physically demand- ing to the top, we saw the subjects ing that they were ill-prepared to ing night mission, underscores the flashing their cellphone flashlight go, they decided to hike anyway. character, commitment, and reli- at us – approximately 300’ from They got disoriented and one ability of RMRU team members. the summit. eighteen-year old slipped down an embankment and twisted his Lessons Learned: Radio antennas and obstacles ankle. While trying to descend, made it difficult to find a place to they run into a knife edge spine Don’t Rush to Failure: All too safely land so we executed the and couldn’t descend safely any often, we unwisely make poor hoist plan. After Ray and I were further when they called 911. After decisions because we don’t thor- lowered, we ran to the subjects. our aircraft had circled above and oughly examine and manage All were somewhat dehydrated left, the ankle-injured teen feared risk – identification of all hazards, and one complained of an injured “he was going to die” and the sev- likelihood of occurrence, and se- ankle. Ray did a quick check, gave enteen-year old took charge of the verity of consequences. The three him some water, and we got him two older boys and made them young men recognized that they up and moving towards to the climb up the cliff – eventually lacked food, water, a map (other Continued on Page 18 15 RMRU NEWSLETTER

TRAINING

SNOW ANCHORS, ICE AXE, CRAMPON, SLED RAISE / LOWER

February 06, 2016 Devil’s Slide, Idyllwild, CA.

Thanks to the abundance of snow tion. Here hikers can continue to During last month’s winter train- this winter season in our local the summit of Mt. San Jacinto or ing, one of our focuses was on “hills”, the Riverside Mountain Tahquitz Peak a short distance placing different snow anchors, Rescue Unit was able to get out away. However, with the number testing their strength, and dis- and do more snow trainings this our snow storms this season, the cussing applications. This training, season. This was great as the Cal- trail had well over a foot of snow expanded on this skill set, as we ifornia drought of the last several beginning at the Humber Park incorporated snow anchors as part years provided us very few oppor- Trailhead making it a treacherous of our rigging system. tunities to practice our snow and hike without proper equipment ice skills. Doubly important the and training. In other words, ex- team was scheduled to be winter cellent snow and ice conditions for rescue re-certified by the Moun- our well-equipped team members. tain Rescue Association (MRA) in March and the skills were prac- The team hiked up the trail on ticed in January and this day would crampons over 1 mile before find- be part of the test. ing a suitable training venue. Over- all the training location was excel- lent providing a moderately steep slope below the trail in a shaded north facing gully. With overnight temperatures below freezing, this gave us icy conditions about 2 – 3 inches deep followed by hard pack snow at least another 2 feet deep.

Our first order of business was to View from the sled being raised Below Raising Teams assign teams and place the two in- Our rigging system is a mechanical This training was held on the dependent anchor systems for the aid that will allow us to safely raise Devil’s Slide Trail, a very popular red and blue raise / lower ropes. and lower our sled with training trail and normally well maintained Each anchor system used 3 snow subject and medical personal in one starting at Idyllwild’s Humber pickets drive vertically or buried steeper terrain. The rigging sys- Park and leading to Saddle Junc- horizontally. tem we’re using here (see images)

16 RMRU NEWSLETTER ROCK ANCHOR TRAINING

is similar to what we use for our high angle technical rock rescues, but the primary difference is that we’re using multiple anchor points in snow instead of rock cracks, outcroppings, trees, etc. In this training for our anchors we used a combination of snow pickets either placed vertically or hori- zontally in the snow. Evaluating the snow conditions was critically important in properly placing the snow pickets as soft or unstable snow could result in the pickets being pulled out of the snow; a potentially catastrophic equip- ment failure. Equalizing Anchor System In this day’s training, the objective use of crampons. Much of our others being pulled off balance. was to refresh ourselves on our team was handling the rigging set- winter rigging system operations, up which will allow us to perform 3. Anchoring team members general safety, medical personal our raises or lowers, while our directly to the snow anchors was training, use of ice axes (personal medical personal carefully loads also proposed as an option espe- anchors, self-arrests) and proper the subject into the toboggan cially during the raise or lower pro- while proving necessary aid, and cess. While this restricts a person’s obtaining/relaying their vitals. In movement, being that both hands our training we’ll include differ- are required for pulling on the rope ent rescue scenarios to simulate meaning one cannot be on their real-world situations. ice axe, a slip would not result in any movement. Lessons Learned: 1. Stay Low to the Snow slope RMRU Members Involved: during the raise, using the pulley Lee Arnson, Cameron Dickinson, system to keep load on the pickets Gary Farris, Michael George, Eric Holden, Kevin Kearn, Rob May, down the slope. Pulling at a Dana Potts, Wayne Smith, Frank Snider, higher level could potentially Judy Spowart, and Ray Weden weaken the picket anchor place- ment to a point of failure.

2. The horizontal safety rope View from the sled being raised should be placed slightly below the team members placing the anchors and working the raise / lower system (MPD devices). One option discussed was placing the safety rope above the MPD due to the steepness of the snow as a slip Equalizing Anchor System Subject and sled far below by one person could result in 17 RMRU NEWSLETTER from page 15 MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 than on cellphone), and the proper Car Over the Side gear to hike in the mountains but February 6, 2016 didn’t fully think through what Poppet Flats could possibly go wrong and what Written by Raymond Weden the impact might be – getting lost, injured, trapped overnight. Sim- While currently on assignment ilarly, the pilots and members of with Riverside County Sheriff’s RMRU, chose to abort the first in- Aviation (see the previous mission) sertion attempt after determining a call came in for a vehicle over the that the situation on the ground side in the Poppet Flats area. We HIkers at Base, Raymond on Right didn’t require excessive risk with reconfigured our gear anticipat- the potentially catastrophic conse- quite still capable of walking. It ing a major medical situation and quences. The RMRU ground team was clear that he had given up, loaded up the stokes litter. also chose wisely to pause as the largely in his mind when he be- winds died down rather than rush came lost and twisted his ankle a Upon arriving we assisted in up into the mountains and steep little. At one point, he had re- spotlighting the area for the first terrain while the subjects moved signed himself that he would die, responders below. An impres- didn’t want to move, and demor- sive ground hoist operations alized and burdened his friends. was underway. We landed as we “At one point, he had resigned It was only when the youngest were initially tasked to transport himself that he would die, boy took charge and led the other the patient directly to a hospital. Shortly after landing we were in- didn’t want to move, and two, that their situation turned formed that Mercy Air was in route demoralized and burdened his around. Similarly, RMRU members and they will be doing the trans- friends.” who were exhausted and trained all day in the mountains (some up porting. This was a better option as Mercy Air can provide better RMRU RESCUER KEVIN KEARN for nearly 20 hours already) still summoned the strength to come patient care. We headed back to away from them. We must guard out to support the rescue and Hemet-Ryan Airport to re-recon- are desire to move out immedi- were ready to hike/climb all night figure our gear to finish the previ- ately when it may only be to make if required. Maintaining physical ous mission. ourselves feel like we’re doing fitness not only gives one capabili- something, and premature com- ty to be strong when required, but RMRU Members Involved: Kevin Kearn and Raymond Weden. mitment to a course of action may also makes a person less prone to with limited resources may actual- injury and gives one the personal Riverside Sheriff’s Office: ly jeopardize the flexibility, mis- confidence that they can perse- Aviation - Pilot: Mike Calhoun, Technical sion, and even lives. Bottom line: vere in the wilderness. Flight Officer: Eric Bashta. We must be skillful and always think before we act. RMRU Members Involved: Lee Arnson, Cameron Dickinson, Michael Other Agencies: Cal-Fire and Mercy Air. Cultivate Physical and Mental George, Glenn Henderson, Kevin Kearn, Rob May, Dana Potts, Wayne Smith, and Toughness: Both in yourself and Raymond Weden. your organization, it is import- ant to be physically and mentally Sheriff’s Aviation: tough. The one 18-year old who claimed he had an injury, was in Mike Calhoun (Pilot), Eric Bashta (TFO). fact, in far better condition than he believed himself to be …and

18 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 Three Lost Hikers cured into the helicopter, I got the found the first subject was being February 21, 2016 next subject prepared, and within warmed up by Cal Fire and River- Marion Mountain Trailhead a few minutes aviation was flying side Deputies. He was starting to Written by Eric Holden them both to Keenwild where feel much better and was in good medics were on scene. spirits. At 6:40pm we got the callout for 3 missing hikers and were told to While waiting on the helicopter’s meet at Marion Mountain Trail- return I spoke with the third sub- For detailed information on head. As I am gearing up I get the ject and found that they had left the 10 Essentials visit our word to head to Hemet-Ryan for via the Marion Mt. Trailhead, but RMRU website and read the a possible hoist. Once with Avia- due to the snow ended up going 1st Quarter 2015 newsletter tion I find that one of the subjects much slower than they expected. article on these items found fell into water and is wet and cold They eventually turned around on page 22. so we quickly gear up and head but got lost and followed another group that was moving very fast. They eventually lost that group Moral of the story, don’t underes- “Once with Aviation we find and unknowingly started descend- timate the outdoors. Be prepared! out that one of the subjects ing the down the North Fork. They Remember to bring your essen- fell into water and is wet and knew if they followed the water tials and if you do belly flop into a cold so we quickly gear up and they would eventually make it to river that is being fed from melt- head out.” civilization. Unfortunately, they ing snow.... get out of those wet didn’t bring flashlights, food, cloths. RMRU RESCUER ERIC HOLDEN maps, etc. and descending a canyon at night, without a head- RMRU Members Involved: out. Turns out the subjects were lamp/flashlight is a very bad thing. Eric Holden south of the Seven Pines Trail near During their descent they all took the North Fork of the San Jacinto a few slips and all got wet feet at River. We quickly spot them and some point in time. The wet sub- Two Lost Hikers near determine that a hoist will be the ject was attempting to down climb San Jacinto Peak best option. Through the expert a rock and somehow ended up February 23, 2016 flight skills of STAR 9, they low- falling and belly flopping into the San Jacinto Wilderness Park ered me on a rock outcropping North Fork of the San Jacinto River Written by Glenn Henderson and then send down three scream- (really a stream at this point). Be- er suits. Once with the three males ing in wet clothing will cause the California State Parks got a call I find that two are in good condi- body to lose heat up to 5 times as from the two Indiana men near tion, but the one who fell into the fast and can be quite deadly in the the mountain’s peak late Tuesday river is suffering from mild hypo- back-country. Unfortunately, the afternoon around 4:30 p.m. One thermia. Uncontrollable shivering, subject kept his wet clothing on hiker was 51 and the other 39. decreased mental status, and one instead of removing it and putting Star 9, (the Sheriff’s helicopter foot was completely numb. He on one of his buddy’s dry jackets. crew) called for two rescuers to could still walk and follow direc- As the body starts to decrease in perform a rescue of two hikers on tions so I threw another jacket on temperature it restricts the blood the North Face of San Jacinto. Star him to protect from the rotor wash flow to the extremities to keep 9 flew to the area and determined and suited him up in a screamer the core warm, hence the sub- that the winds were way too high suit and helmet. Once again avia- jects foot going numb. Once the to do any type of hoist. They found tion perfectly placed the hook into helicopter returned and picked us the hikers, not on the North Face, my hand and the subject was on both up we went to Keenwild and but on the Saddle between San Ja- his way. While he was getting se- cinto Peak and Frank Miller Peak. 19 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016

Lee and Glenn were responding re-certified in snow and ice, duty conceived. More good news: Lee to Hemet-Ryan Airport when we fell onto me to come out of early and Judy were going to come up learned the San Jacinto State Park retirement (and quit my sniveling) from the Idyllwild side. had two rangers hiking to the sub- - it was now go time again. Fortu- ject’s location, so we were called nately, I soon found out that I was Cutting to the chase: When Donny off. to be taking a ‘free ride’ up the arrived, we loaded up from the tram instead of a midnight trudge mountain station and wound our up Snow Creek and this made me way down into the dark on the “They lost the trail when happy! now quiet cement path toward coming back down and the Long Valley ranger station. We called for help on their cell Upon arriving at the valley station, were both remarking that it was good to see each other again since phone.” I met up with RSO deputies and a few good men of the State Park his wedding in Yosemite and we RMRU RESCUER - (Rangers) who gave me a basic caught up on some of our recent GLENN HENDERSON breakdown of the situation: Two adventures along the way. Pop- ‘experienced’ buddies climbing ping into the station, we met with The men took the Tramway up the north face of San Jacinto for to Long Valley and then hiked to the first time - one was complete- the peak. They lost the trail when ly exhausted approximately 400 “Two “Experienced” buddies coming back down and called for feet from the peak and hell bent climbing the north face of San help on their cell phone. The two on heading east. The climbers Jacinto for the first time - one rangers got to the men and hiked separated at this point and since exhausted headed east 400 them back to the Tramway, but the poor tired guy left behind had feet below the summit” it was after the tram had shut been missing for hours now, alarm RMRU RESCUER - down for the night. They spent the bells started ringing. Nevertheless, MATT JORDON night with the rangers and took a I grabbed my snowshoes, throw 6:30am Tramway car back down to some extra gear in my pack and a ranger making sure our team the valley station. stripped off my extra layers as to- geared up since a storm was brew- night was panning out to be a fast ing and winds were really picking RMRU Members Involved: hike up to the peak in windy late up - it was going to rain or snow Lee Arnson and Glenn Henderson. winter conditions. within the next 24 hours.

At about this time I was walk- We went out into the night set San Jacinto Peak - ing with the rangers into what I on finding this dude and so we North Side thought was the last car up that headed off into the hills. Our March 06, 2016 night; an RSO deputy informed route would be Sid Davis. The old San Jacinto Wilderness Park us that RMRU member [and tech ‘locals trail’ that many take as an Written by Matt Jordon & Judy Spowart climber] Donny Goetz was on his alternate into the dark and now way from Los Angeles and that foreboding Tamarack Valley, this Report: Matt’s side of the mountain: he’s be taking another car up as would be our bypass sweep of the Of course just as I was falling soon as he arrived. Because of this Low Trail. As we hiked, we called asleep Friday night I got a call new info, my plan changed again out the subjects name every 3-5 from Gwenda asking me to grab to man the radio/ repeater at the minutes or so. Since the wind was my gear and head to Snow Creek Mountain Station and wait for howling by now, it became harder to assist a search for a missing al- Donny so we could form our own and harder to listen for any sort of pine climber attempting the north team instead of me heading out faint reply over the creaking and face of Mt. San Jacinto. Since with the park rangers as initially rushing ‘water’ sounds that cold most of the team was out getting 20 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 mountain air blowing through old making passes. I also found out uninjured and in good spirits after growth pine trees commonly pro- that Sharon and company with the long slog up Snow Creek. He duce. We were having fun though. DSAR were going to ambitiously likely endured a cold night wan- We checked in with the ranger start the Snow Creek sweep, it was dering around the old growth station every 30 minutes and then good to have teams come togeth- trees pondering the distant whis- decided to head up toward ‘The er like this in a pinch. tle blasts, but to his credit he was Mound’ which is near Cornell Peak The winds were howling and the more prepared than most and in order to possibly get a better he remained positive. His years perspective of the Long Valley/ of hiking and climbing paid div- Round Valley area. This turned out “The winds were howling idends in a safe exit -- however to be a good idea because it gave and the entire peak was complicated. Upon meeting at the us a chance to view the valleys and Valley Station, I stated: ‘All’s well the northeast side of the mountain covered in a thick fog that ends well!’ -- and he heartily where we envisioned the subject and getting lower” agreed. possibly being. We called and RMRU RESCUER - called, we stood on an overlook MATT JORDON Report: Judy’s side of the mountain: and shone our headlamps back While Donny and Matt headed to and forth across the valleys. Even- entire peak was covered in a thick the Palm Springs Tram, Lee and tually, we spotted the rangers and fog getting lower like a god’s hand Judy decided to approach from made radio contact with them and reaching down over the mountain. Humber Park. The plan was to then with Lee and Judy coming up The state park rangers were chal- hike up the Devil’s Slide trailhead from Idyllwild. lenged with low visibility, again - it towards Wellman’s Divide in case looked like a big dark grey hand the lost hiker took a wrong turn Around 4 am we Bivyed for the moving over the mountain about and ended up in that area. night. We had a good spot here. to cover the entire thing, weird. Donny and I were beat though Still moving, still calling, no luck. The first order of business was to - the wind was howling and we Really thinking that there is a slim get the appropriate gear together. were getting really chilled on this chance this guy made it through In anticipation of snow and ice on exposed ledge searching and the night on the north face if that’s the trail this consisted of full win- calling. The wind was picking up where he truly was. ter packs, including snow shoes, and at times it felt like we could crampons, and ice axes. After have literally been blown off the Around 7:00am we got a call from loading the packs into the car, we mountain. I couldn’t help but think Long Valley Ranger Station: “The drove to the Humber Park park- about the subject being trapped subject has been found and he is ing lot. It was completely empty in some terrible spot on the north being cared for... return to base”. at this time of the night. It was face (or worse) as I tried to stay What a relief! Glad to find out that beautiful and peaceful, but with warm under a draped sleeping he made it through the night! the urgent task at hand, there was bags between the rocks. Donny and I walked back through little time to enjoy it. We were told the deer brush, rocks and pine there would be no helicopter sup- At 5:30 am we were back up and trees to later find out exactly what port tonight, due to the weather, looking across the valleys and happened. so we knew we were in for a long toward the east over the edge. night of hiking. No time to waste. Making our way back up along The subject got lost in what we that same edge up and past the believe to be the area below Jean We donned our headlamps and Cornell area continually calling for Peak Bowl and Tamarack the started up the Devil’s Slide trail the subject. Not long after sun- ‘Boulder Field’ and possibly even around 10:30 PM. We continued rise a fixed wing aircraft started the old Boy Scout Trail, he was 2 ½ miles to Saddle Junction and Continued on Page 24 21 RMRU NEWSLETTER MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASSOCIATION Winter Re-Certification

Mammoth Mountain, CA.

March 05, 2016 RMRU Team Members - Mammoth Ski Lodge, CA

started to snow again which con- pad under him and then got him tinued throughout the day. Really covered up from the falling snow. perfect conditions to simulate real While the first aid people work on rescue situations. We hiked on the subject, others started setting snowshoes in about one mile to up snow anchors to be used to an area marked with a flag and a lower the subject down in our to- number. From this point the team boggan. Two sets of anchors were continued on snowshoes through set up and rigged up for a lower. fresh power snow uphill several Next the subject was placed in the Group Photo of Participationg hundred yards to where our rescue toboggan and tied in so he would California Region MRA Teams problem began. not fall out during the lower.

We drove up to Mammoth on Our subject had a broken leg and As we lowered the subject down Friday for the annual California was cold. We first got a foam the snow slope out testers said we Region Mountain Rescue Associ- ation recertification. This year’s re-certification was snow and ice; Technical Rock and Tracking in other years.

This major MRA re-certification draws search and rescue teams from all over South California. Mono County Search and Rescue hosted this major event with over 200 participants. Base headquar- ters was located at the main Mam- moth Mountain Ski Lodge.

Saturday morning, we woke to some new snow and as we got our assignment for the day at base it Subject prepared to lower. MRA Evaluator standing at right 22 RMRU NEWSLETTER MRA WINTER RE-CERTIFICATION 2016 had reached point where we need- ed to raise the toboggan up 10

Snow Anchors - Final Inspection feet and move it over to continue lowering. So we quickly switch the Team Members setting up 2 lower / raise systems lower to a raise and did as we had been asked by the testers. Every- Hiking back to base we were to go recertification. We headed back to thing went smoothly and we had over to an avalanche test area to our condo to clean up and relax for the subject back on the road below find two buried subjects. The sub- the evening and have a good meal. our test area in no time. This part jects were actually large backpacks The next morning, we awoke to of the test was now done. with transceivers inside. We quick- over 18 inches of new snow cov- ly got into a search line and turned ering the ground outside. After a all our transceivers to search mode great breakfast cooked for us by Eric we started digging out the vehicles so we good head home.

18 inches of snow overnight

RMRU Members Involved: and started looking. We found and Pete Carlson, Kirk Cloyd, Gary Farris, dug out both backpacks in under Cameron Dickinson, Joe Erickson, Michael George, Glenn Henderson, 10 minutes. They were both over 2 Eric Holden, Tony Hughes, Kevin Kearn, feet deep in the snow. Rob May, Dana Potts, Frank Snider, and Upon returning to base we met Ray Weden. with our testers and found out we got a 17 out of 18 points, we need- Article by Pete Carlson - RMRU Redundant - Equalized Snow Anchors ed 12 to pass. So another great

23 RMRU NEWSLETTER from Page 21 MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 turned onto the PCT. The weather Stuck Hikers hold onto and help pull yourself was cold, and we started see- March 05, 2016 up the route. This all seems like ing some snow on the trail. The Cleveland National Forest an ok idea and if you look at the wind was blowing through the Written by Donny Goetz numerous videos on YouTube, it tree tops, providing a melodic sure looks like fun! Who wouldn’t background to the sound of our Saturday night around 9 pm. It want to go up there?! The prob- boots crunching in the snow. We was my birthday weekend and lem is, these ropes are woefully hiked for another 2 1/2 miles, and I was supposed to be camping/ inadequate to support human life, around 2:30am decided we need- climbing in Joshua Tree with my especially after they have baked ed to catch a few hours of sleep wife and a friend. But plans had under the often harsh California and hit the trail again at daylight. changed as I had gone out on an sun for a month. These ropes We found a small level spot at the overnight search on San Jacinto break. And they don’t break on top of Angel’s Glide and quickly for a missing Snow Creek climber their own. They break when some the night before. unsuspecting soul grabs hold and leans back, trusting the bulk of “We hiked for another 2 1/2 I had just crawled into bed, a little their body weight to them. When this happens, you will fall, and de- miles, and around 2:30am tired from the previous night’s mission, when my phone rang pending on where you fall, it could decided we needed to catch again! We had another search be a very long way down. I have a few hours of sleep ” in Corona. Two hikers stranded been on several rescues in these on a 50’ tall cliff. I knew I had to drainages before and it is always a RMRU RESCUER - go. Most of our team was out of result of these ropes breaking and JUDY SPOWART town for the annual California leaving people, who are otherwise set up camp. The wind was really MRA team recertification up in unfit to climb these routes, strand- blowing now, and the temperature Mammoth. Being tired was no ed and possibly badly injured. was around 24 degrees. Sleep- excuse. We had a skeleton crew wear consisted of many layers, and this sounded like it was going including thermals and two down to require some rope work - my jackets for Judy, mittens, and wool specialty! hats. In spite of the conditions, sleep came quickly, and we awoke I got the trailhead location from at daylight feeling refreshed and Gwenda and knew I had been ready to get back on the trail. We there before. In the hills above began breaking down camp when Corona lies a hillside with 5 or 6 we heard over the radio that the very steep drainages where some lost hiker had made his way to the locals have decided to make their tram on his own. A quick call to own “trails”. Known online as the Gwenda confirmed that the search Skyline Rope Trails, these ill-con- was over and the lost hiker was ceived routes follow the steep, found. We finished packing up, overgrown drainages up from Tin Judy in back, Lee, and Subject and headed down the mountain, Mine Canyon to the skyline ridge Hiking down relieved that this mission had a trail. The steepest, often vertical, I arrive at the trailhead around happy outcome. rocky sections of the drainages 11 pm and meet up with Lee have been made accessible to the Arnson and Judy Spowart. Both RMRU Members Involved: untrained adventure seeker by had been on the previous night’s Lee Arnson, Donny Goetz, Matt Jordon these local folks hanging yel- mission. We were all a bit fatigued and Judy Spowart. Hikers Stuck low, 1/4” polypropylene rope to and ready to get in and get out

24 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 with our subjects as quickly as free. We were struggling to stay ous position. It was a miracle she we could. To add to our troubles, upright, but pressed on into the wasn’t more seriously injured! Just there was a storm brewing. night. scrapes and bruises it seemed. Nearly two hours into the hike, I Hanging from the haul line, I got We started up the ridge line trail checked Google Earth once more. Judy’s harness onto the girl and which is quite steep and has lots Our trail was now turning away tied her into the rope. Lee was up of fun loose rock to keep you from the ridge. We had come to top, ready to haul. This section of engaged. “At least the temps are the top of the last of the drainag- the drainage was very steep and manageable tonight” I thought. es. Our subject was not there. We slippery. I helped our subject to We kept a good pace up the ridge. HAD passed them! We discussed climb as Lee hauled the rope with We had been in contact with one options and decided we had to both of us on it. We slipped and of our subjects via cell phone and head back down and check every fell constantly as we worked our he said he had made it up to the little side trail we could find. Head- way up. There was a short section main trail but his friend was still ing down the slick, mucky trail was of vertical rock which we negoti- stuck in the drainage below. Lee much worse than heading up. I fell ated carefully and soon were up asked him to wait on the main trail several times, covering myself in with Lee! There was still another and that we would be there soon. mud. 80 vertical feet to go but it was less steep and Lee had anchored We hiked as quickly as we could, As we descended, we called out a REAL rope up this section which gaining a significant elevation. for our subjects. About 20 minutes we all used to get back up. After a time, we began to wonder back down the trail, we all hear if, somehow, we had missed our a shout back to Lee’s call. Great! Finally, out of the nasty drain- guy!! He said he was on the main Now we have them! Lee kept age and up on the ridge we were trail. How could that happen?! shouting while I headed down over certain of our success, yet knew Lee phoned our subject again and the ridge and finally got a visual we still had a long, miserable hike asked him to listen to our shouts. contact with one of our intrepid out down the steep ridge which, The subject said it sounded as if wanderers. He was uninjured; in spots, was now more “water we were still below him. We asked just a little cold and wet. We all slide” than trail. We descended him to shout back and we could descended the upper part of this slowly, taking great care to negoti- barely hear him. The wind also awful drainage to a perch about ate the steepest sections with our made it difficult to discern where 70’ above his stranded compan- fatigued “clients” (a new term we his voice was coming from. ion. She was clinging to a broken coined which we all liked better strand of yellow rope. Go figure. than “subjects”!). Gabby was It sounded like he was below having a very difficult time and us but also much further west. Lee and I quickly set up a rope required Lee’s support for nearly I looked at Google Earth on my system by equalizing rope to sev- the entire descent of the ridge. phone and noticed that there were eral small shrubs while Judy took Occasionally, both of us had to still a few more of these drainages our other subject, Henry, back up support her from each side to keep that met the ridge up higher and to the ridge. I built a basic haul- her from falling. to the west. Maybe they were in ing system, anchored the rope, one of those. We pushed on. Now grabbed Judy’s harness from Lee, RMRU Members Involved: it was raining and the wind had and rappelled down to Gabby, Lee Arnson, Donny Goetz, and picked up. The trail, which was a our second subject. She was very Judy Spowart. thick clay soil, became dangerous- cold and tired and ready to be ly slippery. Clay clung to our shoes out of there! She had fallen over like peanut butter on a spoon; no 50’ in each of three attempts to amount of shaking would set it extract herself from this precari-

25 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 Hoist Two Hikers Springs Road where our subjects After being briefed, Cameron, March 08, 2016 left their car. Ray, and I inspected the subjects’ Soboba Hills, San Jacinto vehicle and looked for footprints Written by Glenn Henderson Once they were off loaded it was nearby. We found a partial print, back to Hemet Ryan, me home but were not confident it belonged I received a call from call coordi- and Chad and Jerry back on patrol to either subject. The subjects lat- nator Gwenda Yates that Star 9 in the sky. Great work Chad and er confirmed it was not their print. (Sheriff’s Aviation) had called for Jerry, they made a tough mission a rescuer to do a hoist rescue in into an easy one. At 4:00 AM, Cameron and I head- Massacre Canyon. I responded to ed up Devil’s Slide. Near the top Hemet Ryan Air base in about 5 RMRU Members Involved: we met with Lee and did a quick minutes. Pilot Chad Marlatt and Glenn Henderson. information exchange. Cameron TFO (technical flight officer) Jerry and I then proceeded to follow the Osterloh were waiting for me. subjects’ intended route towards Chad said that there were two Missing Hikers - the summit. The sun came up soon stuck at a cliff in Massacre Canyon Humber Park after we left Saddle Junction to- and had run out of daylight as it March 26, 2016 wards Wellman Divide. We spotted was now 7:30 PM. I loaded two San Jacinto Wilderness a tent about .5 miles before the screamer suits into my pack and Written by Tony Hughes turn off to Strawberry Cienega and we took off. investigated. It was a local Boy The page went out at just after Scout troop up for the night. They It was a five-minute flight across 1:00 AM Saturday morning for 2 had not seen or heard anyone else the San Jacinto Valley to Massacre lost hikers. A male and female, in the area and were going to keep Canyon. Our stuck couple used both in their 40’s, had left Hum- their eyes open. their cell phone light to show us ber Park around 4 PM on Friday, where they were. It was a pretty March 25th. Their goal was to Cameron and I continued on to tight area and they were above summit and return to their vehicle the Wellman Divide. Right when the third falls with water running at Humber Park. They were both we arrived, we received word the through it. experienced hikers but had never subjects may have been located by hiked this route to the summit. the State Park Rangers. We looked Chad maneuvered the helicop- They were reported overdue by for signs at the junction and after a ter over them after some pretty family. The Riverside County Sher- few minutes received confirmation demanding reconnoitering to see iff’s Helicopter, Star 9, had been that the subjects had been locat- if we could indeed do the hoist. dispatched earlier in the evening ed. We headed back to Humber Finally, Chad and Jerry were and scanned several trails, but Park. satisfied so I hooked up to the were not able to locate the sub- hoist and Jerry lowered me about jects. On arrival back at Humber, Ray 110 feet directly next to our two briefed us that the subjects had subjects. I sent the guy up first Lee was first on scene and went to only 2 of the 10 essentials and had explaining that when I sent his girl- Willow Creek Crossing, then fol- slept in some garbage bags over friend up next he was to have the lowed Willow Creek down to Laws night. They had plenty of food and seatbelt ready and get her belted Camp, then up to Reeds Meadow, water but had no means to start in before the TFO could take the then back to the Saddle, and down a fire. They were not prepared to hook off. When they were both in to Humber. He found no signs of be out overnight nor were they the helicopter they dropped the the subjects. Cameron Dickin- prepared for the snow travel, post hook back for me, raised me up son and I arrived at the trailhead holing through the snow. The and we all flew down to Gilman’s around 3:30 AM. Ray was on scene subjects reported seeing Star 9 with the team truck and ran Base. 26 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 the previous evening and flash- Missing ridges and ravines in the way. ing the light on their cell phone, 20 Year Old Hiker but they were unable to gain the I also put out a call from Des- March 29, 2016 aviation team’s attention. In the ert Sheriff’s Search and Rescue. San Jacinto Wilderness morning they met some hikers Written by Glenn Henderson Sharon and Jacob responded and who directed them in the direction hiked up the Deer Springs trail of the Upper Tram Station where I received a call from dispatch at to Strawberry junction, talked to they walked into the Round Val- 3:09, Tuesday morning. They had some people camped there and ley Ranger Station on their own. a report of a 20-year-old male that then continued on to the Marion The subjects confirmed they had had hiked up the Marion Mountain Mountain Trail junction. Nothing. summited San Jacinto but had Trail with the intentions of sum- They then returned back the same turned left down into Round Valley miting San Jacinto Peak, 10,835 way. Meanwhile Lee and Cam at Wellman Divide. feet high, and returning to his reported that they had checked car in the same day. The family for sign at the Little Round Valley Star 9 returned to the scene once reported that he had little expe- campground and had now sum- the subjects were located and rience, few supplies, and was not mited San Jacinto and were tak- airlifted them to Keen Wild where prepared to stay overnight. Mon- ing a break before continuing on the Deputy on scene drove them day night into Tuesday was when down to Wellman’s Divide. back to their vehicle at Humber a large storm hit with rain, snow, Park. Fortunately for the subjects, and high winds in the mountains. On the east side of the mountain the temperatures that evening This led to a great sense of urgen- State Park Rangers were headed where mild and there was no wind. cy to the situation. I put the call up from the Palm Springs Tram to out to all members, loaded up my the summit from their side. Other gear and headed for the garage team members were now leaving and our rescue truck. to go to the Seven Pines trail head and hike up to the Marion Moun- When I got to the trailhead I met tain intersection. up with team members Cameron and Lee. We were all pleasantly Kirk, Subjects, and Ray surprised that there was no wind! at Base - Humber Park Just intermittent snow or light rain. I immediately sent them up Lessons: Know the conditions, the Marion Mountain Trail to the know the route, and be prepared. summit. I put the call out for more help and Lew, Kirk, Gary, Tony, RMRU Members Involved: and Wayne responded. Star 9 was Lee Arnson, Kirk Cloyd, Gary Farris, Cameron Dickinson, Tony Hughes, able to get up through the clouds Wayne Smith, and Raymond Weden and began searching the area around the trail and the drainages off of the trail. They spotted what looked like prints in the snow and gave us co-ordinates to that location. I sent Tony and Gary to that location to check it out. It RMRU Search Team Member was about 2 miles in a straight line Wayne Smith from basecamp but the mountains Because it was so cold with lots of don’t work like that with many moisture we opted to send out an Continued on Page 30 27 RMRU NEWSLETTER

TRAINING

INITIAL RIVERSIDE COUNTY JOINT SAR MOCK MISSION

April 09, 2016 Garner Valley - Lake Hemet, CA. Subject being raised up cliff

On Saturday Riverside County con- and Gwenda Yates managed the get better readings and triangulate ducted its first Joint SAR exercise exercise transparently in the a location more accurately. While in years. The training scenario con- background, with some help from RMRU attempted to get new sisted of a fictitiously downed air- DSAR’s President, Sharon Ollen- azimuths from the ground, Star-9 craft in the mountains around Gar- burger. launched, quickly got an aerial hit ner Valley with four dead, injured, on the transponder, and sited the and lost personnel that needed first missing victim, “Paul Doe,” to be rescued and recovered. in the vicinity of Little Thomas Over 40 personnel participated in Mountain the event. The Riverside Sheriff’s Department deployed its Sheriff’s DSAR drove their truck up the Emergency Response Team (SERT) mountain road and came upon, Command Post, one RSO Aviation “Sheri Doe”, the second victim, at helicopter (Star-9), three volunteer a location less than 200yds south All Team Briefing at Base search teams including RMRU, of the mountain top. Eric Holden Desert Search and Rescue (DSAR), Experienced RMRU members Kirk current, qualified Wilderness First and two Canine Search Teams, and Cloyd and Lew Kingman, along Responder, deployed by ground support from RSO’s Citizen Volun- with “injured-reserve-list” Judy with the Canine Teams (dogs Inge teers (Anza). Spowart, helped man the SERT and Journey). The first victim, Paul, Command Post. The remainder of was expired and the dog teams The exercise began at Lake Hemet RMRU was split into two teams searched the area to try to pick up Sheriff’s Sub-Station where the – which became Teams 1 and 2 scent of any other victims. DSAR’s Command Post was set up. Teams for the operation. RMRU’s teams first team was then lowered in to met there at 7:00 AM under sunny quickly distributed radios and gear Sheri’s location and began looking skies that would cloud up soon and immediately broke out their for additional signs of tracks from with a fast approaching storm. Emergency Locator Transmitter the other two victims still unac- Temps were in the 50s when RSO (ELT) direction finding equipment. counted for. SERT OIC, LT Perdue, gave the After reporting detection of the entire group safety and mission downed aircraft’s ELT signal along Gary Farris and I were then lifted in briefs on a scenario Glenn Hen- two azimuths, RMRU’s CP per- and lowered onto the road on Star- derson had primarily puppet-mas- sonnel sent the teams, each truck 9’s second turn. We took charge tered for the county. Both Glen mounted, to two different loca- of Sheri, who was uninjured, and tions along Highway 74 in order to hoisted her out in a Screamer Suit. 28 RMRU NEWSLETTER INITIAL RIVERSIDE COUNTY JOINT SAR MOCK MISSION Running low on fuel with worsen- victim, “Andrew Doe,” and located and back behind the safety line. ing weather, Star-9 went off sta- him, conscious with a simulated At this point, with impending bad tion and departed after dropping broken leg, at the foot of a 25’ cliff weather bearing down on all of us, Sheri off at the CP. Gary and I then about 150” from the crash site. the exercise ended and we broke linked up with Eric. the system down and recovered After Eric and I got to him, I sub- the equipment before rain could mitted a report to Ray with our soak our ropes/webbing. More location and request for a stokes DSAR personnel arrived to assist litter and gear to perform a high and we were extra cautious to angle technical rescue. Eric treat- keep everyone safe during this ed Andrew with DSAR assisting final part of the field exercise. him while I checked out the top of the cliff to organize the fall lines and anchors for the raise. In a short time, Gary and two DSAR personnel, John Eddy and Cameron using Directional Finder Mr. Paull, arrived at the cliff with Communications with the CP were equipment. Soon after that, Tony difficult but Ray Weden took on and Cameron also arrived. the mission to function as a go be- tween, with our diesel equipment, Our 5-man RMRU crew, all profi- between the elements in the field cient at high angle rescue, incor- and the CP by Lake Hemet. His ac- porated the two DSAR personnel tions greatly enhanced command into the operation. I was Ops Lead, and control of the operation. Tony Tony was Safety Officer, Eric was Hughes and Cameron Dickinson the Litter Attendant, Cam was in Upon everyone’s return to the also moved our second truck, and charge of the red line/MPD with Command Post, LT Perdue led an repositioned critical technical Jacob Paull of DSAR, and Gary after action review with the entire equipment we’d need shortly. was the in charge of the blue line/ group. After capturing lessons MPD with help from John Eddy learned, there was wide consen- Eric, Gary, and I used our direction of DSAR. Together we quickly got sus that it was an excellent, useful finding equipment to home in on the safety line set up followed exercise and that Riverside Coun- the crash site which was approxi- by the anchors and dual lines all ty would try to do it again in six mately 300’ east of the road while while making extra sure to keep months. Great job by all involved DSAR attempted to retrace Sheri’s everyone safe. Eric, with help from and especially Glenn Henderson tracks in hopes of possibly detect- DSAR’s Kevin Wahlstrom, Mike for planning and coordinating so ing additional signs of other vic- Smith, Joe McCuen, and Jason much on behalf of RMRU. tims who may have left the crash Roberson, got Andrew safely site. One canine team (Journey) packaged up in the litter. With Eric RMRU Members Involved: followed us. hooked up, we quickly hoisted Kirk Cloyd, Cameron Dickinson, both of them. The DSAR personnel Gary Farris, Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, Tony Hughes, Kevin Kearn, Eric, Gary, and I came up on the integrated well on the line teams Lew Kingman, Judy Spowart, Ray Weden, crash site to find the “wreckage” with Cam and Gary close by to and Gwenda Yates. (ELT transponder) and a third supervise. Other Units Involved: victim, “Teddy Bear,” who was also RSO SERT, RSO Aviation, DSAR, River- expired. As we began to search the After Eric skillfully maneuvered side County Search Dog Team, Citizen area around the wreckage, DSAR the litter over an obstructing knob, Volunteers (Anza). heard the shout from the fourth Tony and I helped pull the litter up Article by: Kevin Kearn 29 RMRU NEWSLETTER from Page 27 MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016

OES, (Office of Emergence Ser- out from Wellman’s Divide down The horse’s owner, Mike, was vices), call out for mountain teams the Angel’s Glide and Devils Slide packing in supplies for the PCTA from other counties. trails. I picked them up at Humber (Pacific Crest Trail Association) to Park at 5:30 after they had hiked do some trail maintenance work. 17 miles, mostly on hard packed As they were hiking up, a large snow and ice. Lee said that they swarm of bees attacked the horses experienced complete whiteout and sent two of them over the side conditions at times with snow and of the trail and down the mountain hail falling straight down due to no trying to get away. Both horses wind. were injured by falling, rolling and running down and away. They end- Sheriff’s SERT (Sheriff’s Emer- ed up about a quarter mile apart gence Response Tram) had just and 300 yards below the trail. Mike arrived with their communica- was uninjured so we put him in a tions vehicle and personnel but screamer suit and had him airlifted they were happy to pack up again out. Since RMRU has no experi- with this great outcome (as we all ence or training in large animal RMRU Search Team Member were). After a quick dinner at La rescue our Sheriff’s department Gary Farris Casita in Idyllwild, we all made it put out a call for Riverside City fire About 4:30 in the afternoon we home safely. departments HART, (Horse and got the call that our missing Animal Rescue Team), to help us subject had called his father and RMRU Members Involved: get the horses out. was in a car trying to get back to Lee Arnson, Kirk Cloyd, Gary Farris, his car. It turns out that he had Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, made a wrong turn at the Fuller Tony Hughes, Lew Kingman, and Wayne Smith. Ridge trail and followed two sets of prints in the snow. The falling Desert Search and Rescue Team snow covered the tracks he was (DSAR) Members Involved: following and when he turned Jacob Paull and Sharon Ollenburger. around he could not find his own tracks in the snow. He then dug under some rocks, covered the Horse Rescue opening with bark and bushes and April 03, 2016 spent the night. He did have more Pacific Crest Trail -Snow Creek gear than we were told and spent Written by Glenn Henderson a fairly comfortable night except Horse Rescue for his feet which did get pretty cold but no frostbite. He got up I received a call from call coordina- then next morning and hiked tor Gwenda Yates that two RMRU out the Fuller Ridge trail to Black members were needed to respond Helicopter Hoist Horse extraction Mountain road and then down the to a report of two injured horses That team really are the experts at road to Hwy 243 where he hitched with their owner on the PCT (Pa- what they do. A veterinarian and a ride back to basecamp. cific Crest Trail) above Snow Creek. four members of the HART team Cameron Dickinson and I respond- and TFO (technical flight officer) I called all teams back in and all ed to the Sheriff’s helicopter hang- Manny Romero were flown in and returned except for Lee and Cam er at Ryan Field in Hemet. met by Cam. Cam led them to the who decided to go ahead and hike first horse which we all felt was the

30 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 least injured. I stayed with the sec- Caramba Search disorienting; rocking, swaying and ond horse. The Hart team got the April 17, 2016 the cold night air all remind me of harness rigged up, the vet gave a Tramway - San Jacinto Mountains being at sea. There is a unique ee- final sedative and Pilot Tony Bow- Written by Matt Jordon riness to it that I somehow enjoy, en flew the horse out. it’s almost like we’ll be ambushed Of course - just as I was finishing a by a giant squid or Mynock from Star Wars. “.... a large swarm of bees pleasant family dinner in Redlands I get a text alerting me to a rescue. attacked the horses and sent Since I live about 5 miles from the The usual routine takes place two of them over the side of Aerial Tramway, I usually try my when we arrive at the mountain the trail and down the best to respond to these particular station. The tram operator says a mountain ...” missions so I checked the time and quick farewell and we’re off to the RMRU RESCUER - drove out, trying hard to make “mission room” which is behind GLENN HENDERSON the last car up. After a quick grab an infrequently used banquet of my gear bag at home along hall on the second level complete They all hiked over to me where the way, I met up with Kirk at the with fridge, cot, heater and small the vet started an IV line in the valley station. “Subject last pinged bathroom. It’s the place where he horse’s neck and she gave him a in Caramba. We are going to try to who ‘mans’ the radio is often jilted mild sedative. He had been en- use this new app to get a better lo- awake by the sounds of crack- tirely docile for the three hours or cation on him, hopefully it works” ling hails from distant members so that I was with him. Tony and Kirk said. Good thing he had his on the radio. Most of the time, TFO Ray Hiers flew the apparatus phone, I thought to myself. By this there’s also a sense of urgency to to rig the horse up to fly my horse time, the last car up was being lock all the doors behind the last out. Just as they got ready to start held over as we waited for other team member out as the night is moving to the horse something members to arrive. Kevin, Eric, long and the creep factor is high spooked him. He ran over me and and Cameron appeared in succes- at 8,500’. The unfamiliar sounds off a cliff and was killed. I could not sion and after a short scramble of raccoons and ring-tailed cats believe what had just happened. to select proper gear, we were all exploring the building don’t help He had been so calm that I have to aboard. calm the nerves either. wonder if a bee stung him again that caused him to jump into me. Not much can be said about hiking to Caramba around midnight. After everyone calmed down we Most don’t want to do it in the gathered up all our gear and Tony daytime, much less with heavy came back and did a one skid packs carrying water for two. This pickup of all of us in teams of two. is a section of mountain that drops It was a pretty depressed group about six miles and essentially of people back at base. No one dead ends into a large waterfall knew what to say. Mike was very before tumbling over into oblivi- understanding but you could tell Strange Burned Tree on. For those that have ever crept he was shaken up. We finally got Riding the tram up at night with downstairs into an old basement Cam, Ray, Manny and me back in no tourists, no external lights at night, it’s like that but a lot the helicopter and we flew back to and no rotation is about what I’d worse! It’s an area that a lot of Hemet Ryan. imagine it’s like to be in a subma- hikers who are unfamiliar with the rine falling miles deep into the mountain wind up for basically RMRU Members Involved: blackness of the ocean. The dark- two reasons: #1. It looks like a Cameron Dickinson & Glenn Henderson. ness when facing the mountain is copy of Round/ Tamarack Valley so

31 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 people are easily confused, #2. Its ALL downhill and what can I say -- it’s easier to hike down than up! Nevertheless, it takes a glutton for punishment to get this kind of

Kevin Looking for prints mission done but in the beginning we’re all highly motivated. The last time I was here was over three years ago before the massive fire Kevin, Cameron, and Matt with Subject when first found so certainly I’d get to see what the forest looked like now. I was look- We now relied heavily on GPS to in Tahquitz drainage. Fortunately, ing forward to some surprises. take us to the subjects last known he was astute enough to warm location which we received via himself with a small emergency The trail past Hidden Divide has cell phone ping and a miraculous fire (that was later properly extin- been closed for only three years screenshot text from this Air Force guished) and managed to drink a but there was so much debris veteran that included his position little water from the nearby creek. scattered about that it was diffi- coordinates. This was literally the cult to find in sections. Past Laws best thing he could have done. We junction, the fallen logs, new found out that he climbed to high brush and burned out ghosts of ground to send it before his cell trees everywhere in sight made phone would die. Fortunately, we me recognize how fast nature can managed to communicate with reclaim her property. Thereafter, the subject earlier via cell phone the trail frequently washed out so and we reminded him to stay put we had to do some decent route until we got to him. finding. We arrived in a textbook fashion He was found in good spirits yet then gave the man water and obviously tired and understand- some food. It turned out that he ably mentally fatigued. Never- was hoping to complete a longer theless, he rallied and chose to circuit this day beginning at the hike out after about a ten-minute tram and heading to Wellman’s break. Divide down to Saddle Junction On the way back, Eric took the and back up toward Hidden Valley. lead with his GPS unit and led our Unfortunately, he somehow un- meandering team up the loose derestimated the distance and his and obscure mountainside on the Subject’s Footprint highlighted by flashlight location so he wound up deep way back up to the tramway. I 32 RMRU NEWSLETTER MISSION REVIEWS OCTOBER 2015 - APRIL 2016 was content to be a silent hiker at successful mission in the bag. chase and eventually caught back this point, occasionally cracking Our good-hearted veteran did a up with Buffy, but she had to go a dry comment as breath would great job giving us his location and through the same steep terrain we permit. Temperatures dropped staying calm and upbeat despite did with much less gear. She fell down to the low 30’s and when- being exhausted after a long day a few times and suffered a nasty ever we stopped for more than of hiking. We made it out and up looking bump to the head. She two minutes, our bodies began the long ramp to the Tramway. I tried to hike up more to get out of was honored to have spent anoth- the brush but unfortunately the er night hiking with the A-Team brush just keeps getting worse the members of RMRU. higher you go. Darkness eventual- “He was found in good spirits ly set in and she dialed 911. yet obviously tired and RMRU Members Involved: understandably mentally Kirk Cloyd, Cameron Dickenson, Eric Getting Jessa and Buffy back to fatigued.” Holden, Kevin Kearn, and Matt Jordon the trailhead was quite the team effort. We put a helmet and har- RMRU RESCUER - Tin Mine Canyon Rescue KEVIN KEARN ness on the her and Cameron April 20, 2016 belayed her down the steep stuff, freezing up as most of us were in Cleveland National Forest while I acted as a human machete lightweight gear to stay cool when Written by Eric Holden and began to carve a path back actually moving. During one par- down the hill to the trail. Glenn At 2230 hours we get a call out for ticular break at around 4am, Eric was back at base organizing a missing female at the Tin Mine spotted something shimmering Canyon Trailhead. I meet Cameron in the distance uphill to our left. at the trail and we find that she We quickly recognized three sets was spotted by an Army helicop- of eyes peering at us through the ter and they were able to give us darkness, bobbing up and down coordinates of her location. Her and blinking periodically. It was coordinates put her about 2 miles the bold presence of three moun- out in the Hagadar Canyon area. tain lions staring down on us from I made a quick call to Ray Weden their high ground advantage. The to have him send her a text to sounds of our whistle blasts and hopefully pinpoint her location, claps didn’t bother them and when medics to be on scene by the time unfortunately she never had data. we hiked on, we could faintly we got back to base. Even though We knew Glenn was on the way see them in the distance - still cut, bruised, and bumped she was with the truck so Cameron and I watching closely. Poor Cameron quite the trooper and demonstrat- decided to head on out and Glenn was cougar bait as the caboose ed great tenacity. After about 90 would run base upon his arrival. on this train and I was impressed minutes we reunited Jessa and After about 45 minutes of trail hik- with Kevin’s ability to see in front Buffy with their family. Many hugs ing, we had to bushwhack through of himself and behind in the same and tears were a great reminder steep terrain to finally get to the stride! on why we do what we do. subject and her dog. By the time we reached the high RMRU Members Involved: While Cameron spoke with Glenn trail above Round Valley, we were Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, about the plan of action, I spoke all feeling the wooziness of sleep Eric Holden and Ray Weden the subject, Jessa, to find out encroaching. First light brings a what had happened. While hiking, glowing warmth despite being her dog “Buffy” broke free of her ambient and indirect. Another leash and ran away. Jessa gave 33 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 wilderness 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 wherever tragedy strikes. The unit performs about 95% of its missions in Riverside County. However, it has traveled 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 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 their 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.

BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER

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

34 Join our team !

JOIN OUR SEARCH & RESCUE TEAM

RMRU is always looking for new members! ..Countless People owe their lives.

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 Riverside Country 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! RMRU BOARD MEMBERS 2016 TRAINING CALENDAR Gwenda Yates - President - Annual MRA Conference, Rob May - 1st Vice-President Port Angeles, Wa. June 7 - 12 Glenn Henderson - 2nd Vice-President Team Training Eric Holden - Secretary - Mock Mission: June 4 Kevin Kearn - Member at Large - Technical, Tahquitz Rock July 9 - Overnight High Country Backpack August 6 - 7 - Pancake Breakfast, Idyllwild: August 14 Pete Carlson - Treasurer - GPS / Map & Compass : September 10 Newsletter Editor - Gary Farris

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

October 2015 - April 2016

SUMMIT CLUB $500.00+ Brad & Sally Scott | Marvin Matsumoto

PATRON CLUB $200.00+ Stan Sniff | Theodore & Donna Young | Kathy A. Nixon | Dennis & Barbara Newton

CENTURY CLUB $100.00+ Lynne Nicodemus | Ellen Coleman | Eric Ellenbogen | Nacy Carter Mary Carricaburu | Daryl Dichek & Ken Smith

SUPPORTING $25.00+ Bill & Melody Blaschiko | Gary & Susie Weber | Diann Coate | Samuel Prum Thomas Kaczmarek | Bill & Jaunita Starmer

RAY HUSSEY - SPECIAL DONATIONS

SUMMIT CLUB $500.00+ Mary Parsons

CENTURY CLUB $100.00+ Marcia McQuem | Catherine Zimmer | Neal Dixon | Rob & Kathy Lennox Anthoney Ward Jr. | Margaret Robinson | William Kelly

SUPPORTING $25.00+ Jan & Dwane Mickelson | Virginia Hiatt Nancy Gordon | Dennis & Barbara Walsh | Rita Turner | Robert Duncanson MD