Lost Climbers Tahquitz Rock

Written by Eric Holden

At 2310 hours we got a call out for 3 lost hikers near Tahquitz Peak. Myself, Tyler, Corey, and Mike were all heading up to Humber Park. I was first on scene at the Idyllwild Ranger Station only to find that the RSO Deputy had just left as they subjects were by a house. Tyler arrived while the deputy drove them back to the ranger station.

Turns out the subjects were climbers and had just finished climbing a route call El Whampo. They attempted to take the North East gulley as their descent route but ended up heading west down towards the friction descent. They missed the trail and ended up heading down a random gulley until they hit the Ernie Maxwell trail. They followed that until they reached a house were the deputy picked them up.

Lesson learned, always know your descent route, and bring headlamps even if you don’t ever expect to use them.

RMRU Members Involved: Corey Ellison, Michael George, Eric Holden, and Tyler Shumway.