Boy Scout left behind to wait for next group, got lost
Group
camping the San Jacinto Wilderness can be great
fun. Getting the group up a trail and to a camp
site can be a great challenge.
On
the morning of June 22nd, a Boy Scout
Troop had set out from Humber Park on
Devils Slide Trail, looking forward to a
group camp-out in the Skunk Cabbage area,
elevation 7,96-0 feet.
In
route up the steep zig-zagging trail, the group
split into two group, one traveling a little
faster than the other.
One
Scout in the front group began to tire, unable to
stay up with the rest of the group, he decided to
sit and rest awhile and wait for the second group
to come by and then continue with them.
After
resting for a period, the young Scouter decided
he would not wait for the rest of the Troop,
instead, he would try to catch up with his
original group. When he arrived at the Saddle
Trail Junction, he was unsure which way the first
group had gone and began wandering around looking
for them; meanwhile the second group traveled
past him not knowing he had separated from his
group.
After
both groups rejoined at their destination, they
realized that the Scout had not arrived with
either group. A hasty search was launched by the
adults in the Troop.
Unable
to locate him, the decision was made to keep the
Troop together at the campsite and send one adult
back to Idyllwild to get help.
After
reporting the incident, the adult Scouter
returned to Humber Park and awaited the arrival
of RMRU.
RMRU
arrived within 20 minutes of being contacted and
had several teams headed up the trail to begin
the search.
Our
first team headed directly for the Scout Troop
Campsite to secure the well being of the group,
while other teams scoured the trails and meadows
for our lost subject. The Scouter was located a
couple of hours later, not far from the vicinity
of his Troop. He was in great condition and eager
to get back to his group. While he was escorted
back to the camp site from above, the adult
leader was escorted from below, for a happy
reunion in the beautiful San Jacinto Wilderness.
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