2 Hikers Rescued from Skyline Trail at 5200 feet (Icy)

[Cy Kaicener]

Two hikers were rescued from the Skyline Trail at 5200 feet, 1 hospitalised

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2018/12/15/t ... pitalized/

https://www.facebook.com/Palm-Springs-M ... 404612601/

[guest]

Thanks for the info Cy.
Glad everyone is ok. Imagine encountering ice at 7k after 2 winter storms in December! Not sure how experienced these two were, (not many details), but even a bit of research would tell someone that's exactly what happens this time of year after a couple storms.
Sounds like they were able to down-climb from 7k, (roughly beginning of trees and many sections of north-facing slopes), to 5,200ft. or so, allowing hoist maneuvers.
Wondering what the medical emergency was.

Anyone reading this be advised, you should have snow And Ice experience when attempting Skyline, or be prepared for a very long descent. Many think there only a mile from the finish, & press on, but that last mile can be a killer at times. Several folks have lost their lives on Baldy the last few years as well.
Be safe, scott

[Ed]

Plus probably a late start, on a winter day when the sun sets at around 4:45 pm, and probably not enough warm clothes for a bivouac. With trekking poles and microspikes, an earlier start, and some warm clothes in their packs, it perhaps could have been a successful hike.

[Cy Kaicener]

The Desert Sun has just posted their report
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/lo ... 322754002/