Lost Hiker Marion Mountain

Written by Kevin Kearn

RMRU alerted members at 6:00 PM, Saturday, 25 April 2015, about hiker who had become separated from his group just below the summit of Mt San Jacinto. The weather, had been threatening for days, but a powerful storm cell had formed late in the afternoon. He along with six friends and family members had turned back just above Little Round Valley when the storm looked imminent. They spread out into two groups as they started to descend the Marion Mountain Trailhead. The lead group thought the subject was with the trail group and the trail group believed that he was with the lead group – no one had accountability of the subject. This mission was one of three call-outs that RMRU had the evening of 25 April because of the storm. The bulk of RMRU’s team was consumed with rescuing a group of adults and children in Massacre Canyon.

Somehow the subject got off the trail he was on, most likely just below Little Round Valley campground, when he called Riverside County Sherriff’s 911 dispatcher claiming he was lost. He had no idea where he was or what trail he his group had been descending. He could not describe where he was other than a ‘Big Rock,’ and ‘Trees’. He had a light jacket and although he had spent some time in the military, he claimed that he was not an “outdoorsy guy” and was somewhat panicked. Hypothermia was a real concern and authorities were able to get a cell phone ping for a location just below Little Round Valley Campground before his battery went dead and rain had started.

Heavy freezing rain was falling when Cameron, Mark, and I started up the Marion Mt trail in the darkness. Glenn ran the command post. We were stopped by another group of descending hikers who were unsure of where the trail went. We got them straighten out and continued our search. As we climbed higher, driving sleet and snow made route-finding challenging as we ascended up the trail. Temperatures were just below freezing and winds were light.

Hikers Assisted by RMRU
Photo by Kevin Kearn.

Before midnight, we reached the location of the cellphone ping (9,500’). We cached our packs and marked their location with a light. The freezing rain had coated all the trees with over an inch and half of ice. The heavy ice, coupled with 5” of snow, made movement difficult and treacherous. We searched the hillside and surrounding area for nearly three hours with no sign of the subject. At 3:00 AM, Glenn directed us to descend and reequip while he finished up the planning for OES support to continue the effort the next morning.

Frozen Ice on Pine Needles
Photo by Kevin Kearn.

After an OES call went out, multiple teams from Southern California arrived the next morning by 8:00 AM. Gwenda Yates and Steve Bryant also helped run the search with Glenn over the next three days. Cameron, Eric, and myself returned to search the following days at altitude. The clear weather allowed support of Riverside County Sheriff Helicopter, Star-9, along with up to 30 ground personnel.

Map Area of the Search
Photo by Kevin Kearn.

On Tuesday, 28 April, at approximately 3:00 PM, the subject was found by a bridge by a construction crew working on the road to the Azalea Trails Camp. A nearby CAL Fire crew picked him up and brought him back to the command post to his family. He was exhausted, but generally in good health. He had come down the first night below the snow and sleet line, and after crossing the Seven Pines Trail (unknowingly in the snow), he eventually found himself in the Dark Canyon area. He may have walked in circles for all we know. He claims he heard rescuers calling for him the first night, but never heard anyone afterwards. There were teams in his area both Saturday and Sunday on the Seven Pines Trail and he did see helicopters in the air. In any case, his survival was extraordinary given the severe weather conditions the first night and the number of days he was missing. RMRU is extremely happy for the family and thankful for the support provided by multiple agencies.

Brieifing Field Teams
Photo by Kevin Kearn.

Lessons Learned:

Maintain Accountability of the Group: Everyone should know how many people are in their group and firmly know who they are hiking with. The assumption by both groups that he was with the other group contributed to his getting lost and a late start on locating the subject. People are generally more aware of children, but adults need to be accounted for too.

Don’t Hike Alone: Going off by oneself is a bad idea, especially if one is not familiar with the route. Resist the urge to wander away from the group – especially in hazardous conditions like when a storm is rolling in. Hike with a buddy.

Always Know What Trail You’re on and Where You’re Going: You don’t have the right to be ignorant to what route you’re taking in the mountains or what your general location is – it’s not the sole job of a group leader but every member’s responsibility. The subject’s inability to describe where he was, what trail he was on, or even accurately describe his surrounding contributed to complicating the rescue. His lack of situational awareness probably contributed to his wandering for three days with no idea about his orientation.

Hiking in Risky Weather: Understand that a risk of a rain storm in California could mean a quick but violent change of weather in the mountains. Be cognizant of weather changes around you and turn back earlier rather than later. Bring warm clothing that includes a good shell no matter what the forecast is. Bring minimal gear to survive a night.

RMRU Members Involved: Steve Bryant, Carlos Carter, Cameron Dickinson, Glenn Henderson, Eric Holden, Mark Houston, Kevin Kearn, and Gwenda Yates.

Other Agencies: Desert Search and Rescue, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, and Other Teams from Southern California.