At 8:45pm RMRU was called
out to search for 24 year old Federico
Chaves Jr. who was reported missing by
his friend Jason Vega. The pair had hiked
Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto Peak
starting out at 8:30 am, reaching the
peak at about 3:00 pm. Wanting to hike at
different speeds, Jason and Fred
separated near Little Round Valley. Jason
reached their vehicle at about 5:30pm but
Fred was nowhere to be found. Jason
honked the horn of the vehicle and yelled
for his friend but no response. Finding a
pay phone, Jasoin tried to call Fred's
cell phone but there got no response.
Jason then contacted authorities who
alerted RMRU.
The first search team from
RMRU started up the Marion Mountain Trail
by 10:00 pm and the second team was
dispatched to the Seven Pines Trail
around 11:00. Teams searched throughout
the night on the steep and icy trails.
Due to the urgency of the situation,
Desert Sheriff Search and Rescue (DSSAR)
from Palm Desert was contacted for
additional personnel and a helicopter was
scheduled for 7:30am.
Shortly after 4:00 am a
mixed RMRU/DSSAR Team started up the Deer
Springs Trail with an RMRU Team heading
down. A second DSSAR member was held in
reserve to act as an aerial observer when
the helicopter arrived but was used as a
radio relay instead.
At 7:12 am RMRU Team 1
established voice contact with Fred and
within a few minutes made physical
contact with him in a ravine
approximately ½ mile off the trail.
Reaching the Marion Mountain
Trail and Pacific Crest/Deer Springs
Trail intersection, Fred had made a
common mistake and turned south instead
of continuing west on the Marion Mountain
Trail. Not realizing his mistake he
continued several miles down Deer Springs
Trail until losing the trail.
Fred then decided to go
straight down the mountain and
"headed for the lights" of
Hemet, after falling several times he
wisely decided to stop for the night.
Fred had a lighter and lit a fire to melt
snow and for warmth. He was reasonably
warm, dressed in a fleece jacket and long
pants.
RMRU Members responding:
Darrell Bell (support), Mona Landfield,
Travis Henderson, Lee Arnson, Kurt
Sullivan, Gene Baune, and Mike Wimbrow
(operations leader)
DSSAR members responding:
Sharon Ollenburger and Barbara Miller
Riverside Sheriff's
Department: Deputy Lutz
American Red Cross
volunteers provided hot coffee and food
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