Missing hiker search July 19

[Perry]

Good question. I'm going to work on it this summer. I sent you an email.

[magikwalt]

Thank you ntheno for your release of details. Most of us are interested due to our close association with the area. I am guilty multiple times a week of hiking w/o a buddy. As the hikes got longer and higher less buddies became available. I use multiple "find me faster" backups that I hope will work such as maps of where I will be hiking, GPS, cell phone and call 911 times. Recently added a SPOT to the arsenal.

My family and I have discussed the possibility of a fall that stops me from signaling. My anwer is that I accept the risk. In advance I apoligize for putting those who come to search or carry my fat ass out at risk.

As a partial offset to that risk I agree to pay it forward by offering my assistance to you guys if you are working this side. I am acclimated and very familiar with most of the area. I am not as fast as some of these speed demons but comfortably make the tram in under 6 hours.

If you have someone on the trail and they are in need of fluid or a guide down the mountain then contact me. I live and work 15 minutes from the trail head. I'll be happy to help. If you guys just need a break from the heat while out here I'll open my home for your use.

Thanks again for being a guy that comes to help when its not fun or safe!

Walt

[ntheno]

Thanks for your support. It certainly sounds like your taking the neccesary precautions that will keep you from being a victim. We certainly will keep your offer in mind, I'm not sure if your aware but the PSMP Team is made up of reserve level two police officers and civilian volenteers(I am a Civ Vol). We are always looking for qualified new members that would be interested in helping out. We have a monthly membership meeting on the second Wednesday of every month at the Police Training Center which is located one building North of the PSPD main station. I would invite all who hane a passion for hiking and helping ypur community to join us in keeping our mountains and trails safe.

[Perry]

Just a little south of Tahquitz and Civic?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 15&iwloc=A

Is it possible to volunteer for non-technical searches? The site says the gear runs around $2,000 per person.

[ntheno]

Exactly!

[ntheno]

Yes, you could specialize in technical searches. You would have to go through the membership process, background check etc. but we are all trained in Hiigh Angle Rope Rescue but there are a few of us who teach it and know our system inside and out.

[Perry]

For somebody who can't afford to spend $2,000 on gear or is not comfortable with climbing, could they volunteer for searches on class 1 and class 2 terrain only? When I worked for the State Park several years ago, they made us sign a form stating that we would not do any technical climbing without supervision of a ranger, but we could still go out and search for people, taking a radio and first aid kit, etc.

[ntheno]

I'm not 100% sure but I do know at if anyone is not comfortable in any situation all you have to do is say so. No questions asked. Something else to consider, in over 5 years we have not had one high angle rescue. We spend quite a bit of time training for it, but it is quite rare given our juristictional area. As far as the $2000, that would be accurate only if you didnt have any personal hiking gear( boots, pack,GPS etc.) Your climbing harness and uniform would be your biggest expense. You might want to make sure your comfortable in a helicopter. We do quite a bit of our rescue with Landells aviation and RSO. It really expedites searches and spreading manpower quickly over the search area.

[guest]

He's got a bit of chopper / harness experience!!!!!

[KathyW]

It's always sad to hear that someone has passed on and their family is feeling the pain of loss.

Maybe we should be very careful about posting trip reports on desert hikes during the hot weather, as the reports might encourage hikers that are not acclimated to the heat to head out hiking in the desert on a hot day.