|
  |
Two teenagers stopped by weather
By Cameron
Robbins
On Tuesday
December 21, two young men, 18 & 19, started
hiking from Palm Springs to the tram via the
Skyline Trail. The weather forecast was for snow
in the high country, and rain down below, and
later that afternoon the storm hit. The hikers
walked up into the snow just a short ways, when
they decided to turn back because of the storm
and cold, which they were not prepared. When it
became apparent that they would be forced to
bivouac they tried to use their small radio, it
did not work. As they suffered through the night,
their parents, now quite worried, called for
help.
Early in the
morning the call came through. In the meantime
the parents had hired a helicopter and it was
flying with two P.S. Mounties when the first RMRU
members arrived.
Plans were
quickly formulated and Randy Iwasiuk and Mark
Rhoads were sent up the tram to check out the
ridge along Long Valley. Bernie McIlvoy and J.R.
Muratet were to go from the tram down the Skyline
Ridge. Mel Krug and I were to fly up the trail as
far as possible and then be let off, and hike
down the trail. The winds kept the bird piloted
by Mike Donovan from Landells Aviation from going
much above snowline. Kevin Walker rode as
observer as Mel and I were being flown into
position. Mel spotted the subjects hiking down
into Tahquitz Canyon above the third falls, where
they would have had some major difficulties,
being unfamiliar with the area. Mike set the bird
down and let the three of us out. After making
contact with the subjects, we loaded them in the
back of the bird, Mike then flew them back to Ann
Dolly's, and then returned for us.
|
  |