Hiker Lost Near The Tram

[magikwalt]

The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit is racing against the clock this evening to find a hiker lost near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in an area with four feet of snow, officials say.

The hiker called Riverside County sheriff's dispatch at about 5 p.m. and said he was lost in the snow near the tramway, according to Investigator Juan Zamora. The phone went dead while he was on the line with dispatch, Zamora said.

The RMRU then was dispatched to find the him, Zamora said.

"With a possible storm coming in tonight, there is extra urgency to find and rescue this lost hiker," said Patrick McCurdy of RMRU in a statement.

A Riverside County Sheriff's helicopter flew into the area but was unable to assist due to windy conditions, McCurdy said.

All of the above from the Desert Sun.

[halhiker]

There was also a rescue in Murray Canyon today. I didn't want to bother the SAR team so I didn't inquire about the injured but it looked like a young woman who fell in some way. She was a one of the creek crossings and was carted out on a gurney. Don't know if it was from a fall or some other condition.

[magikwalt]

Was that 10am this morning Hal? We went up Garstin to Murray Peak about 6:30am and as we were leaving the area saw the emergency vehicles headed towards where the Hike For Hope event was going on.

[halhiker]

Was that 10am this morning Hal? We went up Garstin to Murray Peak about 6:30am and as we were leaving the area saw the emergency vehicles headed towards where the Hike For Hope event was going on.

Yes. We saw them at around 11. They brought her out of the canyon on a gurney.

It obviously was not a good day for hikers. There was a rescue on the Sawmill Trail according to the Press Enterprise.

http://blogs.pe.com/news/digest/2009/03/injured-santa-rosa-mountains-h.html

[Jim Bakos]

The Early Morning Report:

The field team is with the subject and hiking him up to the tram.

And, as a proud father, my oldest son is on the field team rescuing
the subject.

Click the link at the top of the screen and think about joining RMRU,
and have your kids think about it too – we build legacies….

Hike safe!

--Jim

[Jim Bakos]

Subject is at the tram.

Another successful rescue for RMRU!

Email me if you’d like more information about
the team, and how to join.

I need folks on the eastern side of the mountain.

Hike Safe!

--Jim

[hikehigh]

Any details on what happened yet?

[Jim Bakos]

<Rant on>

Normally I don’t get too critical on this board, I understand that people explore our wilderness, I understand that accidents happen. But, yet again, we have a hiker in shorts above the snow line.

RMRU rescued TWO people last night (this morning?)

They were, as always, unprepared for the Skyline.

I have a standing joke with the team: Set a concession stand at 7500’ and sell water and advice, we would make a fortune!

This board does a great job of encouraging the strong, and belaying the weak. Those that fall in between are the ones at risk.

Three men, Pete, Dave and Bob risked their lives to save these guys. Most of you who do this know what the last 1000’ of Skyline looks like, especially with 40” of snow. Now envision going down and back up with several subjects.

In a nutshell: If you’re NOT a mountaineer, wait for Spring/Summer!!!

In my six years with RMRU, I’ve had more Skyline rescues than any other trail in the San Jacinto/Santa Rosa wilderness.

Please don’t be stupid. This Trail/Route has taken many lives, and risked the lives of many more.

Don’t go if you don’t know what your doing…

</Rant on>

Hike Safe!

--Jim

[DancesWithTheMountains]

I know a lot of people that I meet on the Skyline Trail get upset when
I ask them if they are Alpine Hikers or idiots for doing the trail in the snow, but once again, here we have another idiot that thinks just because
its 80 degrees in the lower desert, it must be okay to hike up Skyline!!!
This person obviously didn't read the message board and was more
than likely one of those hikers who probably never did this trail or did
it years ago. If this keeps up, that trail will end up being closed to
everyone and that will be unfortunate to those of us who respect the
trail and the people who risk their lives trying to save the few who
think they are above it all.
Happy Trails
Doreen
"She dances with the Mountians"

[DaveD]

I was up on the skyline Sunday at about 5200' when I turned back. I haven't read any details on who was rescued. I did run into 3 guys who had planned on tagging the tram but one of them pooped out early. I tried to talk them out of it cause only one had crampons and neither had an ax. Just curious if it was the same two guys. One of them was named Sean and said he had gone to the tram twice before but followed a more experienced hiker. Waiting for more details.