Another Skyline rescue on Friday...

[cynthia23]

In the Desert Sun this morning, short article stating two fatigued hikers were rescued off Skyline yesterday( on Friday) by PSMP and the Riverside Co. helicopter. Apparently they started at 2.30 am and were rescued at 1.52 p.m, but the article doesn't state how far they went. One was taken to a hospital. Maybe somebody on here can link to the article and/or has more info. It says 'another hiker' found them.

[Cy Kaicener]

Here comes another facebook rescue which might be the one. Thank you for posting. I still haven't learned how to post pictures on this website


Palm Springs Mounted Police Search & Rescue added 3 new photos.
20 hrs ·
At approximately 2:00 PM on 06/12/2015, the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue Unit was dispatched to the Skyline trail to aid two dehydrated hikers in their 30s at approximately the 4500 foot level. The RSO Aviation Unit (Star 90) performed the search and hoisted PSMP members as well as Palm Springs Fire Paramedics to the hikers for evaluation. The hikers were then transported off the mounted by Star 90 to waiting ground crews. One female hiker was transported to a local hospital by AMR with heat related symptoms.


View 2 more comments

Leah Myers I'm still very grateful that you rescued me. Thanks again may all of you be kept safe always.
Like · Reply · 2 · 18 hrs

Juanita Belardes Wow I can't believe people are still hiking on this trail so over "skyline" season ... I trained so hard for months before I even tried this hike ... even then I cancelled many times until I was 100% ask Kathryn Burrows.. .respect nature respect all trails !! Especially this one !!
Like · Reply · 1 · 17 hrs

I have a couple of pictures on my blog
http://cys-hiking-adventures.blogspot.c ... cinto.html

[halhiker]

How could someone be at 4500 feet after all that time? There's no way someone could be that low unless they turned around. I thought they were going to amend the sign warning people about going down into the inferno of the summer heat. Descent = death.

Once again, I'd like to suggest this route be declared a rescue free zone and people be forewarned that if you undertake this hike no rescue will be forthcoming if you get in trouble. Be prepared or die. A few skeletons along the way would certainly deter the numerous novices we seem to be getting a lot of lately.

[cynthia23]

I read the article also Hal, and like you would very much like to know more--did they truly get no further than 4500? It may seem impossible they only went that far in 10 plus hours, but I remember another rescue where someone was out for twelve plus hours yet only got to a few thousand feet. Or as you say, perhaps they attempted a descent, which of course would be a catastrophic decision.

[backpackpack]

Hello friends, I have seen on a few threads about skyline that turning around is a bad idea. This was surprising to me. I am guessing now, it is because it is hotter when you get closer to the desert floor? What is an alternative to turning around? Sleeping there until morning as Z said in another thread?

Don't worry, I am not planning a skyline hike, I would just like a little insight on why descending will kill you and what some good alternatives are.

Thank you

[Hikin_Jim]

I am guessing now, it is because it is hotter when you get closer to the desert floor?

Basically. The further you descend, the hotter it gets. Your body can't get rid of the heat, and you run the risk of heat stroke, which can be fatal.

What is an alternative to turning around? Sleeping there until morning as Z said in another thread?

There aren't any good alternatives. Your best alternative is to avoid going when it's hot. If you "bonk" half way up, you're danged if you do and danged if you don't. There's not much shade until you reach 7000' or so. I guess you'd have to do your best to hunker down and either await rescue or wait for the sun to go down. Hopefully you've brought a headlamp and adequate food and water and actually have the option of hunkering down. Once the sun goes down, try to proceed. Again, though, the critical thing here is to avoid hot weather. I personally wouldn't go if the predicted high in Palm Springs was over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I know some people say 90, but that's too hot for me. No, thanks.

HJ

[backpackpack]

I am guessing now, it is because it is hotter when you get closer to the desert floor?

Basically. The further you descend, the hotter it gets. Your body can't get rid of the heat, and you run the risk of heat stroke, which can be fatal.

What is an alternative to turning around? Sleeping there until morning as Z said in another thread?

There aren't any good alternatives. Your best alternative is to avoid going when it's hot. If you "bonk" half way up, you're danged if you do and danged if you don't. There's not much shade until you reach 7000' or so. I guess you'd have to do your best to hunker down and either await rescue or wait for the sun to go down. Hopefully you've brought a headlamp and adequate food and water and actually have the option of hunkering down. Once the sun goes down, try to proceed. Again, though, the critical thing here is to avoid hot weather. I personally wouldn't go if the predicted high in Palm Springs was over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I know some people say 90, but that's too hot for me. No, thanks.

HJ

I see... I think I might not die if that ever happened to me, I always carry a headlamp, power bars, and emergency blanket "just in case". I always think "what if I broke my leg and got stuck somewhere overnight?" It might seem paranoid, but at least I will have a better chance of surviving if worst comes to worst.