Hiker lost then found after cold night on mountain

[halhiker]

Not sure of the details. Never trust the Desert Sun but some guy was rescued after getting lost at the Tram. http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/201 ... /78623652/

[Cy Kaicener]

Another version from the Press Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/articles/san-791389-g ... hiker.html
https://www.facebook.com/riversidemountainrescue/

[Andy]

They're saying he went down the North side towards Snow Creek. Wow!

[Wildhorse]

It does not seem clear that this was an actual rescue. It sounds like the hiker made it down the mountain. Bravo.

Meanwhile, in the Claremont Wilderness Park this weekend, hiking was made illegal because the fire road was muddy. The official message was that hiking on the muddy road was not allowed for the sake of public safety. The entrance was protected by armed guards. This reminded me of Baxter State Park.

Imagine the 911 calls: Help! My shoes are stuck in the mud. I need a helicopter to get me out of here. Surely, I need medical attention. I am feeling traumatized.

[wb]

Imagine the 911 calls: Help! My shoes are stuck in the mud. I need a helicopter to get me out of here. Surely, I need medical attention. I am feeling traumatized.

LOLOL!

California, the ultimate Nanny State.

[Hikin_Jim]

Really? They had armed guards?

HJ

[Wildhorse]

Yes, a road blocking barrier and guns. But no military assault vehicle.

[Ed]

Route finding has never been my strong point, and I've done my share of bumbling around in low visibility conditions. But I am amazed at people who descend a mountain on a bearing that is 90 degrees or 180 degrees different from their line of ascent. People who, for example, ascend Baldy by a south or the east ridge and go down the north side. Or ascend San Jacinto from the tram and go down the north side. You don't need navigation genius or a GPS to know it is wrong, a glance at a map and a compass will do. And anyone who plans to do a snow trip by relying only on following a 'trail' or other people's tracks - or even relying on their own tracks for the return - does not belong out there in the snow.

[cynthia23]

Goodness, he went down the north side and lived to tell the tale?? That's remarkable. But the getting-turned around part--I must admit that actually happened to me one time up there on the peak--I was sure I was heading south and then realized I was heading north. I think my confusion had something to do with fatigue and altitude, perhaps. However,it would be somewhat surprising to be tumbling down the Snow Creek chute and not realize something was radically wrong.

Whatever the case, he's lucky to be alive.

Thanks to all the SAR personnel. We're so lucky to have you.

[RMRUpete]

RMRU was training and camped in Tramarack Valley Sat night. We got the call on Sunday morning and started searching. 1 team head to the summit, another to Wellman Divide and a third to the high trail from Round Valley to Hidden Lake. Also the State Park sent a team to Willow Creek Crossing. While this was going on he walked out at Snow Creek around 3pm Sunday afternoon. He went down to Little Round Valley and hit the Fuller Ridge Trail. He then followed it (PCT trail) all the miles down to Snow Creek. He did not go down the North Face. Great conditions for Winter Camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and anything else in the snow. We placed snow anchors, found buried avalache transcivers, and other winter skills preparing for a Snow and Ice recertification in March. Everyone have fun out in the snow and stay safe.