Hikers lost at Tram 12/16/09

[halhiker]

According to the Desert Sun, two hypothermic hikers were lost on the mountain and RMRU were dispatched.


http://www.mydesert.com/article/2009122 ... ilderness+

[bluerail]

400 feet below the tram ?

Well Hal, I just had my ass kicked by a rabbit.

[Cy Kaicener]

400 feet below the tram would put them near Coffmans Crag unless they got off route which would become steeper. Descending is more difficult on hard snow than ascending, so it would seem that retracing their steps would have been their best coarse. I wonder if they were testing the route for a later ascent of Skyline? Its possible that some of the snow refroze later in the evening when temperatures dropped.

[halhiker]

400 feet below the tram ?

Well Hal, I just had my ass kicked by a rabbit.

Perhaps you need the Holy Hand Grenade.

[Ellen]

Perhaps you need the Holy Hand Grenade.

I am so glad I did not take Steve up on his kind offer to join him on the Rabbit Peak hike.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[guest]

Here's what a friend on SAR's sent me. Makes you wonder, w/ out knowing all the details, or speaking personally with these 2, what on earth they were thinking.

"Just got back from an all nighter at the Tram. Two guys were suffering hypothermia and stuck where the ice got nasty about 7500 ft. level of the Skyline trail. One was wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, while the other had jeans. They were very lucky that two from the ranger station made it down to them to initiate warming treatment. Our team assisted with a load of dry warm clothes, and after a little recovery time, were walked up to the Tram about 3 a.m. Who said that two heads were better than one?"

Lucky to be alive, I'd say so.

ss

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for the clarification ss
The Desert Sun now says that they started from Palm Springs on Skyline
http://mydesert.com/article20091227/NEW ... rs+rescued
There is nothing on rmru.org yet

[halhiker]

Perhaps you need the Holy Hand Grenade.

I am so glad I did not take Steve up on his kind offer to join him on the Rabbit Peak hike.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

I'm looking forward to the pictures of this adventure. Rabbit is an ass kicker. It inspired me to verse the first time I climbed it. I think I've shared it before but I'll do it again.

Among desert climbers this peak is famed,
But I believe it somehow has been misnamed.
A Rabbit is meek, soft and mild
While this peak is harsh, rough and wild.
I'd ached to climb it, now I've scratched that itch,
From this day forward I'll call this peak THE BITCH.

I hope it's still in the summit register.

[bluerail]

thats good Hal, pretty much my sentiments also. The register looked pretty new and I didnt notice your entry, but it may have been there. One thing we did find that was funny was an FAA regulation book that appeared to be tossed out a window from high above, right in the middle of nowhere.
I did take some photos, i'll put them up later.

[tinaballina]

Getting off the subject of the people getting rescued (which isn't smart for what they were wearing).
Rabbit was a biatch. Great hike just grueling as hell.