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Two men overdue hiking up to upper tram
We
had just finished our third cup of coffee about
0800 after an all night search on Black Mountain
when the Banning Sheriff's office asked us to
stand by for a p05sible search in Chino Canyon.
Eric Foremen and Patrick Axt were twelve hours
overdue from their hike from the lower Palm
Springs Aerial Tramway station to the Long Valley
station, 8,500 feet above. Patrick had attempted
Chino Canyon previously but was turned back
because of deep snow.
090-0
and we set up base camp at a parking lot below
the lower tramway station. Operations Leader Rob
Gardner requested helicopter assist and, after
consulting topo maps, determined that not only
Chino Canyon but North Chino Canyon and the East
Ridge and the Skyline Trail should be covered
with a hasty air search. Steve DeJesus from
Landells Aviation was the pilot and Kevin Walker
and Ray Hussey flew the first hasty search,
followed by Walt Walker and Joe Erickson. No sign
or activity was noted. Meanwhile, Steve Bryant,
Jay Pion and J.R. Muratet covered lower Chino
Canyon to the first tower, with no sign.
The
OPS leader, Rob Gardner, then was about to change
and intensify tactics and strategy when Eric and
Patrick walked into the upper tram station, safe
and sound, although a bit tired, sunburnt and
weary from their ordeal. As it turns out, they
took the North Chino Canyon route which is
considerably less technical than the Chino Canyon
itself. Everyone was quite relieved - the
temperature was hovering around 120 degrees and
we were all badly in need of a hot shower and a
good night's rest.
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