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Lost hiker in winter storm conditions
This would
prove to be one of the major searches of the
year. A lone hiker set out Saturday in unstable
weather, without map or compass, intent on
exploring the San Jacinto Peak area. Weather
deteriorated and the hiker was instantly in
white-out conditions. Disoriented he entered the
Willow Creek drainage. Fortunately, he was
carrying a cell phone and called for help. RMRU
responded late morning on Sunday and put several
teams in the field. Blowing snow, poor
visibility, and high winds made the search
extremely difficult. All signs/tracks were
obscured. As daylight faded all Team efforts came
up empty. Monday dawned clear as helicopters
joined in the search. About 1:00pm, an RMRU team
found faint tracks in Willow Creek and then found
one of the hikers snowshoes. In less than
half an hour a helicopter, following the
drainage, located the man. He was cable raised
into the chopper and transported to a near by
hospital in remarkably good condition. More than
800 man-hours went into this rescue.
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