Highlights of The Year 2006

Compiled from Newsletters by Webmaster

The following accounts of field operations are the best efforts of the newsletter editor, are NOT official reports, and may have errors and omissions, for which apologies and regrets are expressed in advance.

January

OES Winter Search Management course was held at Mammoth January 30 - February 3. OES expressed thanks for the assistance the Team provided.

Our Team Secretary Craig Knoche is setting up an archive system for our Team history. If you have any material that could be included, please contact Craig. This would include reports, letters, pictures, videos, etc.

January 2, 2006. 06-007 #1. Avalanche across 395 near Lee Vining. Team response was cancelled during digout of the SAR vehicles. Diggers and responders were: Greene, Michalski, Hronesh, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, Barry Beck, Hansen, and Brenner.

January 2, 2006. 06-008 #2. Avalanche across 395 near Wilson Butte. Cancelled before response.

January 2 - 6, 2006. 06-009 #3. Missing Motorists. Crowley Lake residents Stacy and Brittany Stotko were reported overdue from a trip to Bishop on January 1, during a heavy snowstorm. Initial searching by friends, family, their church's members, and the Mono County SAR Team took place in Mono County on routes that might have been used as an alternative to Sherwin Grade 395.

The search was expanded to Inyo County, and on January 4 at approximately 7:45 a.m. the vehicle was located by search aircraft in Inyo County in the Pine Creek drainage at about the 7,500 foot level, partially buried in fresh snow. Stacy was rescued from the vehicle and reported her daughter had left to go for help about 8 AM on the previous day (January 3).

Inyo and Mono County Search and Rescue teams and volunteers immediately initiated a new search for Brittany. Teams from China Lake SAR, San Bernardino SAR, and Ventura County SAR joined the search, as well as personnel and equipment from the Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, Inyo County Road Maintenance, the California Highway Patrol, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

On January 5 Brittany was located approximately one half mile from the vehicle and had apparently succumbed to hypothermia. She had left the vehicle wearing light clothing and had waded through 2-3 feet of fresh snow.

Inyo County Sheriff's Deputies recovered Brittany's body from the canyon and released her to the Inyo County Coroner's Office. Responders were: Enright (Ops), Brenner, Albaugh, Rudolph, Gilbreath, Schmidt, Holmquist, Case, Zahn, Brenninkmeyer, Michalski, Hronesh, Huntsman, Leyen, Rousek, Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Buennagel, Walker, Burns, McClintock, DeGeorge, Ciccarelli, Barry Beck, and Team Life Member Doug Magee.

January 4, 2006, 06-018 #4. Stuck/lost snowmobilers, Virginia Lakes. Clint Morgan and Patrick Vanderlinen from San Diego County were reported to be stuck and possibly injured while snowmobiling near Virginia Lakes. They abandoned their sleds in the deep snow and began walking out, but didn't get very far.

The Team found them and extracted them to the roadhead using snowmobiles and snowshoes. They were not injured. Responders were: Greene (ops), Barry Beck, Holmquist, Michalski, Walker, Hansen, Craig Knoche, and Brenner.

January 5, 2006 - Avy Savvy - Thanks to Dori Leyen and the others who helped put on the Avy Savvy presentation for 173 attendees. What they learned could save lives.

January 8, 2006. 06-026 #5. Plane crash. A small fixed-wing airplane was reported to have crashed near the southbound lane of Hwy 395 near Sherwin Campground Road. The SAR team was called out to provide snowmobile transport for the victims and Sheriffs Office, Fire, and paramedic personnel.

Two occupants, Joseph Owens, 59, and Carol Maki, 52, both of San Luis Obispo did not survive the crash. The third occupant, William Hansult, 52, of Grover Beach, did survive the crash and was transported to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Hall, Merchant, Zahn, Walker, Buennagel, Case, Greg Dallas, Petra Dallas, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, Schmidt, Greene, Rudolph, Albaugh, Michalski, DeGeorge, Barry Beck, Rousek, Hansen, Weatherly, Nelson, Brenninkmeyer, and Hronesh.

January 14, 2006. 06-042 #6. Stuck snowmobiler on east side of Smokey Bear flat. (DeGeorge, Ops)

January 15, 2006. No number. Greg and Petra Dallas saved us a callout by being there when an ice climbing fall happened. Thanks to Petra for this account: The incident occurred up at Lee Vining Canyon. The victim was climbing with 3 other friends on Main Wall when he took about a 40 foot fall on the first pitch of the Cave Man route.

They lowered him down and he appeared to have suffered either a twisted/sprained or broken ankle. Neither of his 3 friends was able to lead ice so Greg led up to where he had fallen and retrieved his gear.

After searching for the rescue litter that had been stowed up in the canyon but unable to find it, Greg and his friends rigged a pretty nifty litter using ski poles and another climber's skis. (We subsequently found out that the litter was never returned after a rescue last year). They then proceeded to haul him out which took quite a while since there was at least a foot of fresh snow. There were 6 of us hauling him out - we started at 3 PM and got to the parking lot around 7 PM.

January 15, 2006 - Snowmobile Training at Bald Mountain

January 16, 2006. 06-047 #7. Stranded skier, Sherwin Mountains. The Team was called out at 0230 to assist a skier who was reported to be having difficulty descending a slope in the Sherwin Bowl. Rachel Rosenberg from Mammoth went for a moonlight descent of the Sherwins with several friends, but became cold and exhausted.

As the Team was responding to the call, Rosenberg was able to complete the descent with the aid of other skiers. Later that night she was evaluated by Mono County Paramedics for potential frostbite, and was transported to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Holmquist, Schmidt, Brenner, Hansen, Barry Beck, and Hronesh.

January 22, 2006. 06-061 #8. Overdue snowmobiler, Bald Mountain Thomas Happel from San Clemente, CA became separated from his friends while snowmobiling in the Bald Mountain area. He was riding off the trail ahead of his friends when the belt on his snowmobile broke. His friends could not locate him after a short search along the trail so they returned to Shady Rest parking lot. As the SASR operation was commencing Happel returned to Shady Rest by getting a ride from other snowmobilers that were in the area. Responders were: Greene, (Ops), DeGeorge, Barry Beck, Brenner, and Hronesh.

January 25, 2006. 06-069 #9. Stuck snowmobiler. Shawn Stacy, 24, of Mammoth, became stuck while snowmobiling on the San Joaquin Ridge. With high winds present and darkness approaching, he called for assistance by cell phone. Sheriffs Office deputies responded by snowmobile, and SAR sleds were dispatched as backup. Before the SAR sleds could launch, Pete DeGeorge & Deputy Madrid, who were out on training, found Stacy about 50 yards from the information kiosk. He had a prior arm injury that prevented him digging out. They transported him to the Main Lodge area. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, DeGeorge (SO), Madrid (SO), Michalski, Greene, Hronesh.

January 30, 2006. 06-084 #10. Lost snowmobilers, Smokey Bear Flat. Terry Tognazzini and Cory See from Orange, CA were snowmobiling east of Smokey Bear Flats when they became lost. They called for assistance, and the Team responded from Smokey Bear Flats. They were located by the GPS location they provided, and were escorted back to the flats. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Michalski, DeGeorge, and Minder.

February

Welcome to new Candidate Members Mark and Dagmar Zila, and Jason Senior. They spent the day on February 12 taking the Basic Training from Jim, Jeff, and Dave, as did Elysia Chapman, who may become a Candidate.

Congratulations to Noreen McClintock and Ursa. They are now an OES certified Cadaver team, - the only one on the East side.

Thanks to Craig Knoche for training on our new pulse and oxygen saturation meter (Pulse Oximeter) following the February meeting.

The new County EMS Coordinator, Mark Mikulicich, came to the February meeting. He expects a closer involvement of the medics in our operations. Good news for us and the victims.

Thanks to Sue Burak and Nate Greenberg of the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center for attending our February meeting and their comments and pictures concerning the Blacksmith Canyon avalanche.

Sgt. Minder announced that two Deputies will serve as Assistant SAR Coordinators - Jeff Beard for North County, and Pete DeGeorge for South County.

February 1, 2006. 06-087 #11. Avalanche, Blacksmith Canyon. This information comes with acknowledgement and thanks to Anne Knoche (ops report), Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, and Mammoth Times. Parts of all these sources were used in the following. Pictures from ESAC and Dave Michalski (helicopter).

On Wednesday morning, February 1, 2006, three off-duty Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrollers, CJ Pearson, Sara Johanna Carlsson and Joshua Feinberg, left the Twin Lakes trailhead around 7am with their destination being Mt. Walt. Mt. Walt is accessed from the Blacksmith Creek drainage, which is west of Twin Lakes in the Bridgeport area.

After an initial climb through heavily timbered northern slopes, the skiers reached an open area that began at approximately 8,600'.

At this point they began switch-backing up a 35 degree east-facing slope. The slope angle gradually increased as they entered a stand of scattered whitebark pine.

This area presented tricky skinning conditions due to an icy surface crust and complex terrain.

Near the top of the whitebark pine glade, the group stopped to assess their route across a shallow wind-loaded gully.

It was necessary to cross the gully in order to attain safe terrain on the ridge. The gully was approximately 125' across and the decision was made to cross the slope one at a time from what seemed to be a safe location in the trees.

At this location the slope angle was approximately 40 degrees.

Josh, the first skier, used two small trees in the gully as kick-turn anchors and gained approximately 15 more vertical feet before beginning his final traverse toward a break in the slope angle on the ridge.

Josh was about 5 to 6 ski lengths from the ridge when he triggered a small slab avalanche (4" crown) and was carried downhill a short distance - approximately 20'.

At this point, a deeper (18" crown) slab avalanche released and propagated approximately 400 linear feet along the lee side of the ridgeline above and below them.

All three skiers were caught in the slide. CJ held onto a tree and was hit pretty hard. When it stopped he looked around and everyone was gone.

Josh was swept downslope approximately 800 vertical feet through the throat of the gully and onto the slope below. Josh was partially buried in the main portion of the debris with his head approximately 10" below the snow surface and the edge of his pack at the snow surface.

Johanna was swept approximately 600 vertical feet through the whitebark pine glade, onto the open slope on a separate lobe of avalanche debris. Johanna came to rest on the snow surface and was not buried.

CJ began a beacon search for Josh and Johanna, initially picking up a weak signal that led him to the southern lobe of the avalanche debris.

At this point, he picked up a stronger signal and could see Johanna on the surface below. He saw her ski in a tree with the binding ripped off and the ski split.

He skied to her and assessed her condition, finding her semi-conscious. CJ turned off her beacon and continued the search for Josh.

He followed Josh's signal and saw the edge of his pack exposed near the toe of the northern lobe of the debris. CJ dug him out and rolled him over. He was purple, but as soon as the airway was cleared he started breathing on his own. He was very disoriented not making any sense for a bit.

CJ found that Josh didn't have any other obvious injuries, so he went back to Johanna. He traversed her out of the path. She was conscious and talking. He assessed she probably had something wrong with her hip or femur, a broken back, and a big head contusion. He went back and got Josh and took him over to Johanna and told him to stay with her while he went for help.

He thinks it took him 1/2 hour to ski all the way out and get to the phone at the store. Josh had a deep laceration on his right jaw. He said that shortly after CJ left, Johanna lost consciousness and then went pulseless and then he started CPR. CPR was in progress when Team 1 (Holmquist, Beck, CJ) arrived on scene. They kept CPR going continuously until evacuation.

A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter hoisted Johanna and flew her to University Medical Center Hospital at Fresno, where she was pronounced dead. CJ and Josh hiked out under their own power with Search and Rescue personnel. Responders were: Holmquist, Beck, Greene, Michalski, Merchant, Brenner, Schmidt, DeGeorge, Hall, Zahn, McClintock, A. Knoche, and Hronesh. Lt. Weber and Sgt. Minder ran ops.

February 4, 2006. 06-096 #12. Injured Snowshoer. Jeff Perrault from Moorpark, California, slid 100 yards down a slope while snowshoeing on the Mammoth Rock Trail near old Mammoth Road. Perrault and his girlfriend were snowshoeing when he slid down the slope and hit a tree.

Two other snowshoeing couples came across Perrault lying in the snow complaining of lower back pain, and called 911 for assistance. The Team staged at Old Mammoth Road and LaVerne. Perrault was medically evaluated and packaged for transport via litter.

The Mammoth Lakes Fire Department ambulance transported Perrault to Mammoth Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Responders were: Zahn (Ops), Hronesh, Hansen, Holmquist, Walker, Greene, Ciccarelli, Schmidt, Case, Barry Beck, Nelson, Michalski, Craig Knoche, and Hall.

Click here for more pictures.

February 5, 2006. 06-098 #13. Stranded Motorists. Monty Merrithew, 26, of Wellington, Nevada and Christina Basagoitia, 23, of Minden, Nevada were spotted by a passing aircraft on Birchim Road, about fifteen miles northwest of Bridgeport. Both were near a vehicle stuck on the snow-covered road, and they were apparently in distress.

The pilot notified the Sheriffs Office and provided approximate coordinates for the vehicle. Sheriffs Office and SAR personnel were sent into the area by snowmobile. The rescuers partially dug out the stuck vehicle and transported Merrithew and Basagoitia to the roadhead. Responders were: T. Minder (ops), Holmquist (ops), S. Minder, Barry Beck, Hall, Schmidt, Case, Greene, and Hronesh.

February 9, 2006. 06-112 #14. Wayne Anderson from Mammoth and James Trudell from Stanford launched snowmobiles from Deadman Summit for a day of riding. When they failed to return late that evening the SAR Team was called to begin a search. As the Team was launching snowmobiles at Deadman, they called by cell phone to indicate that they had walked out to Benton Crossing Road. They had flagged down a car, and were getting a ride back to Mammoth. Their snowmobiles had become stuck in the hills to the southeast of Glass Mountain. They were unable to free them, so decided to walk out using a GPS receiver to aid. Their walk took 12 hours to cover 18 miles. Responders were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, Beck, Walker, Michalski, Brenner, Case, Weatherly, Estridge (S.O.) and DeGeorge.

February 10, 2006. 06-115 #15. Quinn Casal and John Adams from Claremont, Callifornia called for help when they became stranded in the back country west of Mammoth Mountain at Pumice Flats. The Team responded on snowmobiles, and transported the subjects back to the ski area. Responders were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, Michalski, and Hansen.

February 19, 2006. 06-130 #16. Hugh Qualls from Hawthorne, Nevada was driving toward Bodie on the night of February 18. He was attempting to help in a search for overdue students from Mineral County High School who were the subject of a search by Mineral County SAR. The students were found by Mineral SAR that night, but Qualls failed to return.

Mono SAR was called out the morning of February 19, but was cancelled when Qualls called in by cell phone while walking out the dirt road south of Bodie. His vehicle had become stuck in the snow, and he spent the night in it. At daybreak he began walking out, and established cell phone contact with his wife. SAR team members found him walking on the dirt road approximately one mile from highway 167. Responders were: Greene (ops), Michalski, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Leyen.

February 19, 2006. 06-134 #17. Disoriented Backcountry Skiers. Pete Lewis and Grant Schumacher from Bishop, California crossed outside the boundary at June Mountain and became disoriented in the stormy weather. They called for help via cell phone. A ski patroller located them in the Glass Creek valley, and directed SAR team members to the location. They were guided to Obsidian Dome where they were met by Team snowmobiles for transport to highway 395 south of Deadman Summit. Responders were: Greene (ops), DeGeorge, Holmquist, Barry Beck, Schmidt, Brenner, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, Case, Hansen, Isaacs, Hronesh, Brenninkmeyer, Gilbreath and Beard (S.O.).

February 19, 2006. 06-135 #18. At 1940 Khalil Ghazi Kitmitto from Los Angeles was reported missing by RP Burick from a day of snowboarding at Mammoth Mtn. He was said to be an expert boarder and was last seen near the Gondola/Chair 23 area. A check of the hospital was negative. MMSA Security and Ski Patrol were notified and prepared a search base at main lodge Ski Patrol office. As the Team was responding, Kitmitto was located in town. He said he met some old friends while at the resort and had been with them. He was unable to contact Burick due to a dead cell phone battery. Responders were: DeGeorge (ops), Beard, Gilbreath, Michalski, Case, Brenner, Isaacs, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Hansen.

February 19, 2006. 06-136 #19. Missing Skier - June Mountain Juan Marino Gelpi-Acosta from Mammoth was last seen by RP Bruer outside the June Mountain boundary near the Matterhorn run. Bruer searched the resort throughout the day without locating his friend, and reported him missing at 1449. Team members who were already at June Mtn for another search (06-134) began searching. At 1630 Gelpi-Acosta was found at the main lobby. An interview revealed he had skied more than five miles out of bounds from the southern edge of the resort through the Crestview Flats area out to Highway 395. He then hitchhiked back to the resort. No medical attention was requested. Responders were: DeGeorge (ops), Beard, Greene, Gilbreath, Michalski, Case, Barry Beck, Brenner, Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Isaacs, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Hansen.

February 23, 2006. 06-145 #20. James Newberry from Hawthorne, Nevada was reported missing by his girlfriend when he failed to return home after a day of snowboarding (February 22) at June Mountain. The Team was called out to search for him, along with members of the June Mountain Ski Patrol. At approximately 1930 he was located unconscious about 1/4 mile west of the ski area boundary by members of Ski Patrol. He was transported on a rescue toboggan by Patrol members to the main parking lot, and by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital. He was then flown to Washoe Medical Center in Reno in critical condition. Responders were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Case, Michalski, Hronesh, Barry Beck, Hansen, Weatherly, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, Brenninkmeyer, Gilbreath, Leyen, Hall, DeGeorge, and Minder (S.O.).

February 25, 2006 - Ice Climbing Training

March

Dan Corning, Steve Jost, and Peter Chapman were visitors at our March Team meeting.

Elysia Chapman was accepted as our newest Candidate Member at the March meeting.

March 25, 2006. 06-224 #21. Missing Snowmobiler. Sean Patrick, 32, of Mammoth Lakes was flung over the handlebars of his snowmobile while en route from the Yodler to Shady Rest. He lost consciousness for some unknown period of time, and after regaining consciousness he called his girlfriend by cell phone to tell her that he had suffered a crash, was lost, and was walking away from his snowmobile.

The SAR team was called and began searching along with John Mueller, a friend of Patrick's. Patrick eventually encountered a snowmobile trail, and SAR personnel soon thereafter encountered his tracks, followed the tracks to Patrick, picked him up by snowmobile, and returned him to the search base. Patrick refused medical care. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Schmidt, Michalski, Hansen, A Knoche, C Knoche, Brenninkmeyer, B Beck, Zahn, Brenner, and Weatherly.

April

April 1, 2006. 06-??? #22. Observers saw an avalanche trigger in the Sherwins, but fortunately nobody was caught in it. The Team callout was cancelled before it happened. Responders were: Greene (ops), Michalski, Schmidt, Holmquist.

Due to a search for Charles Fraser on Mammoth Mountain on April 12 taking first priority, our April Team meeting was not held.

April 12, 2006. 06-270 #23. Charles Fraser, 79, of Walnut Creek, was reported overdue after a day of skiing on Mammoth Mountain. Ski Patrol and Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue sent field teams out on the mountain to search for the missing skier in the waning daylight.

Meanwhile, other personnel from Mono County Sheriff Office, MLPD, Search and Rescue, as well as members of Fraser's party were assigned to check bars, restaurants, and motels, drive nearby roads, and contact Fraser's family and friends. The missing skier was found safe in a local motel.

Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Case, Hronesh, Michalski, Hansen, A Knoche, C Knoche, DeGeorge, Burditt, Merchant, B Beck, Weatherly, C Beck, Brenninkmeyer, Gilbreath, G Dallas, M Zila, D Zila, Leyen, Albaugh, Rudolph, Walker, and Hall.

April 17, 2006. 06-281 #24. A post-control avalanche released on the Climax run at the top of Mammoth Mountain. Six skiers/snowboarders were known to be caught in the slide, and were rescued by Ski Patrol. The Team was called about 1400 to assist Ski Patrol in probe searching for buried victims.

Nine Team members were inserted via gondola to the top of Climax and skied/snowboarded to the scene. Team members joined probe lines as directed by Ski Patrol. One SAR dog team was inserted via snowmobile. All of the Team's probes and shovels were taken up to be used in the probe lines.

At approximately 1745 all Team members were re-staged at McCoy Station. Ski Patrol determined that there was no one else buried in the avalanche. At 1900 all Team members were released, and at 1920 all teams were off the mountain. Responders were: Michalski (ops), Hansen, A. Knoche, Brenninkmeyer, Hronesh, C. Beck, Case, DeGeorge, B. Beck, Greene, Brenner, Merchant, McClintock, Holmquist, and Schmidt. Minder, Beard, and Weber responded from S.O.

Click Here for a Mammoth Times Story and Pictures

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May

May 7, 2006. 06-349 #25. A family of five from Walker, California took a canoe and raft down the West Walker River while it was near flood stage. The canoe tipped over and they became stranded on the east shore, with the mother suffering a possible leg fracture. The MWTC fire crew and our Team responded.

A helicopter from NAS Fallon was able to hoist the mother for transport to Washoe Medical Center. A Mono County deputy was able to drive to a point above the east side of the river via dirt roads. The father and children were assisted up the steep bank to the deputy's vehicle for a ride back to base. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Holmquist, Schmidt, Hansen, Case, Merchant, Leyen, Barry Beck, and Brenninkmeyer.

As reported in the Mammoth Times. A family of five from Walker, California, was canoeing on the Walker River south of Walker when their canoe tipped over. James Kolesar and his fiancé Loretta Burton, along with their three children (ages 10 through 12), were all able to reach the eastern bank. Loretta Burton suffered a broken leg. Their canoe was swept downriver and they were stranded along a remote, steep embankment.

Due to the high flow of the river, swift water rescue personnel were called out: Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Marine Mountain Warfare Training Center and Antelope Valley Fire Department personnel. In addition, a rescue helicopter was requested from Fallon Naval Air Station west of Reno, Nevada.

Burton was evacuated by helicopter and transported to Washoe Medical Center in Reno. Other family members were guided up the embankment to sheriff vehicles.

May 9, 2006. 06-366. Three local snowmobilers were reported 5 hours overdue while snowmobiling at Sonora Pass. Their vehicle and trailer were located at the MWTC gate closure, and the SAR team was called to search. The search was canceled while members were enroute when the missing parties returned. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, and Case.

May 26, 2006 - Tracking Training

May 28, 2006. 06-401 #26. Canyon Farnsworth, 10, of Los Alamitos, was reported missing to the Inyo County Sheriffs Office after he and his family had spent a day dirt biking. The group was riding in the Mazourka Canyon area, near Independence, and his broken down bike was found in the area. Personnel from the Inyo County Sheriffs Office, Inyo County SAR, and CHP searched the area through the night.

In the morning, additional personnel from Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue were requested. Not long after Mono SAR arrived on scene, Farnsworth was spotted by a CHP vehicle near a power line road, about five miles from his dirt bike. The boy was uninjured and had spent the night alternately sleeping and walking. Responders were: Holmquist, Schmidt, Leyen, Barry Beck, Rousek, and Greene.

June

June 7, 2006. 06-428 #27. A float fisherman was reported to have been blown out into Crowley Lake during a period of strong winds, and he was not seen thereafter. Mono County Sheriffs Office and SAR personnel searched the lake and shoreline by boat, vehicle, and foot and interviewed fishermen both on shore and out on the lake. A few hours after the apparent disappearance, the fisherman, Clinton Thaxter, 75, of Fresno, was seen approaching his vehicle. Thaxter was uninjured and had boarded a passing boat during the windstorm and spent the next few hours fishing with the boat party. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski, Weatherly, Anne Knoche, Barry Beck, Greene, Pete DeGeorge, Leyen, Hansen, and Case.

June 10, 2006. 06-438 #28. James Palmer of Mammoth Lakes was skiing with friends in Rock Chute in the Sherwin Range when he took a fall in the chute and bounced off a few rocks while tumbling down. Injuries prevented him from skiing down further. His friends called for help via cell phone and the Team responded, requesting assistance from MMSA Ski Patrol and helicopters from CHP Fresno and NAS Fallon.

Ski Patrol hiked to the top of the chute, and CHP helicopter H40 lifted a Team member and gear to the top. Rescuers descended to the victim, packaged him for transport in backboard and litter, and lowered him to the bottom of the chute. CHP H40 was able to hoist him out and flew him to the driving range where Medic 3 took him to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Hansen, Greg Dallas, Petra Dallas, Case, Michalski, Leyen, Corning, Barry Beck, Gilbreath, and Senior.

Reported in the Mammoth Times. An early afternoon rescue effort on Saturday, June 10, by Mono County Sheriff's Search and Rescue resulted in the successful recovery of a 25-year old male skier, identified as Jim Palmer of Mammoth Lakes, who was injured in a 300-foot fall during an attempt to negotiate the area known as Rock Chute in the Sherwins.

According to Mono County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, Palmer entered the chute and soon lost control on a patch of ice, ricocheting off the sides of the chute before coming to a stop. He also reportedly was unconscious for a short time.

One of Palmer's companions was able to descend the chute down to him and quickly ascertained he was unable to continue down the steep, icy incline.

Mono County SAR was called out to the location, assisted by air support from a California Highway Patrol helicopter out of Fresno and a Navy helicopter from Fallon, Nev., members of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area ski patrol, as well as ground support from Mammoth Lakes Police Department.

Upon responding to the call at approximately 12:15 p.m., the air teams encountered brisk winds near the top of the Sherwins. A rescue team was inserted on the Sherwins, which-at great risk to their personal safety-carefully and skillfully made their way to the injured Palmer and transported him by toboggan to a snowfield below the chute and met up with a Search and Rescue ground team that hiked in.

At approximately 5 p.m., CHP was able to get their helicopter in for the extraction, and Palmer was in an ambulance and on his way to Mammoth Hospital for treatment by approximately 5:30 p.m.

Paramedics radioed to the hospital that his vital signs at first appeared to be generally good and his injuries not life-threatening, however Palmer reportedly was not wearing a helmet and due to the extent of his head injuries, he was later flown to Washoe Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.

Other members of the skier's party managed to make their way out of the Sherwins, though a dog was apparently also injured in the accident and carried from the site on foot by the SAR ground team. The dog's condition was not available at press time. [Dog recovered]

MLPD secured the area near the Snowcreek development on Old Mammoth Road for rescue vehicles and the nearby driving range was closed for the afternoon, serving as the staging area for the helicopters and rescue personnel. Numerous bystanders looked on, taking in the rare opportunity to view a Search and Rescue operation up close.

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June 16, 2006 - Technical Rescue Rigging Training

June 17, 2006 - Litter Training with Devil's Postpile Rangers - The National Park Service Rangers at Devils Postpile often need to evacuate injured people from the Rainbow Falls area so the Team provided Barry Beck as an observer/instructor for a training exercise.

June 24, 2006 - Team Picnic at Mono Lake County Park

Click Here For Additional SAR Team Picnic Pictures

July

Date? 06-474 #29. Injured backpacker on ice/snow, Sonora Pass. Details not available at this time. Known responders were: Michalski (ops), Barry Beck, Schmidt, Holmquist, Greene, Pete DeGeorge, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, and Case.

July 2, 2006. 06-485 #30. Dave Allan from Redwood City fell while climbing in the Al's Garage area of Clark Canyon. The SAR Team transported him via wheeled litter to Medic 3. He was taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment of a possibly broken ankle. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Barry Beck, Leyen, Craig Knoche, Walker, Case, Schmidt, and Holmquist.

July 2, 2006. 06-488 #31. Kyle Kennedy (22, from San Marcos) and Eric Gelvin (21, of Escondido) were reported overdue from a day hike in the Mammoth Crest area. The SAR team was called to begin working the case, and Sheriffs Office and Mammoth Lakes Police Department personnel started checking roads, trailheads, bars, and restaurants.

While being interviewed by the SAR team, Kennedy's mother received a call from her son indicating that the hikers had become disoriented by the snow covering the trails and had hiked cross country to Lake George. A SAR team member drove to Lake George to locate Kennedy and Gelvin who were tired but unharmed. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Michalski, Schmidt.

July 13, 2006. 06-525 #32. Mutual aid to Yosemite National Park, OES mission #2006-LAW-0309. 13-15 July 06: Michael Gresham, 24, of Eureka, Montana, was serving as a trail worker with the California Conservation Corps in Yosemite National Park when he was reported missing on the afternoon of the 13th after he wandered away from the group during a backcountry camp move.

Yosemite mounted a search on the 13th and called for assistance from Mono County Search and Rescue on the 14th. Someone found his work boots below the Arches, and a helo was sent to scout the terrain above. At dusk on the 14th, a body was spotted by helicopter in the cliffs near the Ahwanee Hotel in Yosemite Valley. Gresham's body was recovered by Yosemite personnel during the morning of the 15th. Responders were: Holmquist, Schmidt.

July 18, 2006. 06-533 #33. Bob Schinkel from Costa Mesa was hiking with family near East Lake in the Green Creek drainage when he fell down an incline injuring his right ankle. The family members attempted to walk him out to the trailhead but the injury and pain prohibited that. The next day a party member walked out and notified Forest Service Ranger Roerdink. The Team plus medics and Deputy Morris responded. The victim was treated by the medics, and carried out 3.9 miles and 1500 vertical feet by the Team assisted by family members and USFS personnel. He was treated at Mammoth Hospital and released. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (ops), Merchant, Beard, Walker, Holmquist, Schmidt, Greene, and Michalski.

July 28, 2006. 06-557 #34. Separated Hikers, Mount Dana. They got re-united, and the callout was cancelled before it happened.

July 31, 2006. 06-574 #35. Ann Schubert from Palo Alto became separated from her camping group while on a hay hike in the Grass Lake region of McGee Canyon. The group searched for her for two hours after she had failed to return to camp, and were not able to locate her. A trip member hiked out and reported the problem at the pack station. A hasty team accompanied the RP to the camp, and found that the subject had returned after spending the night in the canyon above the campsite. She was not injured, and remained with her group. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (ops), Anne Knoche, and Craig Knoche.

July 31 - August 1, 2006. 06-573 #36. Edward Bergeron (age 80) from Michigan became separated from his group when hiking back from Clark Lakes to their Thousand Island camp.

The family and Forest Service wilderness ranger 27 did a trail block near Clark Lakes, while the SAR team did two trail blocks at Shadow Lake/River trail, and one on the high trail from Agnew Meadows.

The next morning Mono SAR staged at Minaret Vista with Inyo and China Lake teams. CHP helicopter H40 also responded. As search teams began their assignments the subject was spotted by a pack train from Frontier Pack Station.

The family found him a mile north of Clark Lakes hiking towards Gem Lake. SAR team members arrived and vectored in H40.

The subject and two family members were transported by H40 to Minaret Vista. Medic 3 interviewed the subject, who refused transport to the hospital. Responders were: Greene (ops), Hansen, Case, Zahn, Rudolph, Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, and Albaugh. Inyo SAR sent Willy, Pierce, Winkler, Bowie, and Woods. China Lake SAR sent Sakai, Green, and Finco.

Here are some pictures of the fine scenery in this area.

August

August 2, 2006. 06-576 #37. David Nguyen, age 13, was part of a Boy Scout troop from the Los Angeles area that was camping near the Davis Lake outlet. At about 0700, he was discovered to be missing following a teasing incident with other boys. The group and others nearby searched until 1000 then the RP hiked out to get help.

The SAR Team, a search dog, and CHP H40 responded. Team members found the subject at 1800 two miles below the Davis Lake outlet. He had been missing for 11 hours and lost one shoe in the creek, but was not injured and not in need of medical treatment. Team members walked him back to camp. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Case, Albaugh and K9 Bosley, Zahn, Weatherly, Walker, Craig Knoche, Michalski, Rudolph, Chapman, and Enright.

August 5, 2006. 06-587 #38. Lawrence Wade from Merrick, New York was visiting Rainbow Falls with friends. He and others had been swimming near and behind the bottom of the falls. At 1648 the Team was activated from a report that two victims had been drowned.

Upon arrival it was learned that there was one victim, not two. Three field teams were sent in with swiftwater and Scuba gear to assist in recovery and transport of Mr. Wade. Recovery was accomplished by the Team and NPS rangers by grappling. Responders were: Zahn (ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Pete DeGeorge, Christina DeGeorge, Weatherly, Craig Knoche, Walker, Hansen, Greene, Michalski, Barry Beck, Colleen Beck, and Corning.

August 13, 2006. 06-604 #39. Takashi Suyama - injured climber on Mt. Conness. Solo-hiker fell head-first into bergschrund. Unresponsive, respiratory distress, packaged with full c-spine with assisted ventilations, transported by ground team to helo 551, then to Mammoth hospital. Responders known to be there: Pete DeGeorge (ops), Greene, Case, Zahn, Michalski, Barry Beck, Craig Knoche, Schmidt, Holmquist, Corning, Walker, Hall, and Merchant. Other details and responders to be supplied later.

August 16, 2006. 06-613 #40. Bruce Watts from Lemon Cove, California was camping with friends in the Upper Piute Meadows area when he became sick and was unable to hold down food or water. The Team responded and requested assistance of the Forest Service helicopter from Bridgeport. Team members were flown to an LZ a half mile from the subject. He was transported by litter to the helicopter and flown to Pickel Meadows, where Care Flight flew him to Washoe Medical Center in Reno. Responders were: Greene (ops), Michalski, Barry Beck, Hall, Merchant, Zahn, Corning, and Holmquist.

August 22, 2006. 06-635 #41. Louise Fergeson and Ashley Cook from Woodland Hills, CA got lost while hiking from Minaret Vista to the Main Lodge. The Team began searching for them on the dirt road and trails around the lodge. Shortly thereafter they found their way back to Minaret Vista. Responders were: Greene (ops), and Michalski.

August 27, 2006. 06-643 #42. Greg Goyke from Mammoth called in saying he saw someone sliding down a snow and ice field near Clyde Minaret. He heard shouting asking for search and rescue to be called. At a later time, he heard shouting saying no one was injured and that SAR was not needed. Responders on the way at the time of cancellation were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, and Wright.

August 27, 2006. 06-648 #43. A 61 year old climber, from Carlsbad, California fell at the top of his route in Clark Canyon after attempting a rappel. Mono County Paramedics, June Lake Fire, and Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to provide medical assistance and transport. The victim succumbed to his injuries during the carry out. Responders were: June Lake Fire (ops), Mono County Paramedics, Holmquist, Craig Knoche, Schmidt, Walker, Albaugh, Rudolph, Enright, Wright, Barry Beck, and Merchant.

September

Welcome to Marie Pavlovsky and Jennifer Hansen, who were accepted as new Candidate Members at the September meeting.

The fundraiser hosted for us by gourmet gas station Whoa Nellie Deli was a great success, with about $1500 taken in from contributions, shirt sales, and the tip jar. We will later receive a part of the day's restaurant receipts as a donation from the business. We are very grateful to Chef Matt Toomey and all the other fine people there for their many kindnesses and support to the Team.

Thanks to Lori Ciccarelli, who so capably organized this event, and to those Team members who were there to help, including but maybe not limited to: Jutta Schmidt, Jeff Holmquist, Tim Rudolph, Petra and Greg Dallas, Craig Knoche, Jennifer and Daniel Hansen, Barry Beck, Dave Michalski, and Dagmar and Mark Zila.

September 1, 2006. 06-656 #44. A solo backpacker/peakbagger, 52, from Campbell, California, was reported overdue from a two week hiking and climbing trip in the Great Western Divide of Sequoia National Park. Mutual aid was requested from Mono and Inyo Counties, and personnel were flown to Ash Mountain from Bishop airport.

While the teams were enroute by helicopter, the body of the climber was located on Mt Brewer, his first climbing objective. The teams were asked to stand by for a short time and were then flown back to Bishop airport. Mono responders were: Holmquist, and Schmidt.

September 9, 2006. 06-665 #45. Courtney Hahn, 16, from Carlsbad, California became ill while on a backpack trip with her father near Shadow Lake. She was reported to have symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema, and was immobile. Agnew Meadows pack station had received this information from other hikers, and requested the SAR Team.

The victim was located at the bridge below Shadow Lake. She had a low oxygen saturation level and difficulty breathing. Pediatric doctor Loretta Early happened upon the scene, and assisted with evaluation. Courtney was evacuated by wheeled litter and transferred to paramedics at Agnew Meadows. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (ops), Hansen, Merchant, Barry Beck, Corning, Michalski, Schmidt, and Holmquist.

September 4, 2006. 06-668 #46. Possibly suicidal motorist, Devil's Gate Pass. Details unavailable at this time. Known responders were: Greene (ops), Enright, Case, Barry Beck, Michalski, Holmquist, Merchant, Brenninkmeyer, and Weatherly.

September 7 and 8, 2006. 06-678 #47. Aaron Sherman, Pierce Chaney, Josh Chaney, Caleb Noble, and Levi Noble, all from Mariposa, California, became stranded at about the 13,000 foot level on Mt. Ritter while descending the north side in a hail and sleet storm.

They were unable to go up or down due to slippery and snowy conditions. They were wet, cold, and did not have overnight gear or adequate mountaineering equipment (but they did have a clothesline rope).

Occasional contact was possible via cell phone and FRS radio. A SAR team began hiking to the area at 0330, and climbed to the saddle between Ritter and Banner.

They were able to contact the subjects via FRS radio. A helicopter was requested to safely evacuate due to hazardous conditions for the subjects and rescuers.

NPS helicopter 551 (Bell 205) responded from Yosemite. The crew was able to access the party and conduct short haul operations to move them to Lake Ediza.

While this was going on, the SAR Team was approached by RP Smith, who had just descended from the summit of Banner Peak. He had found two backpacks about 200 feet below the summit, and turned them over to the Team.

Investigation revealed that the owners, Tomlinson and Bollinger, had cached their packs August 9 while climbing Banner, and were unable to find them on the way down.

They had to walk out using sleeping bags for packs. They were grateful to have them shipped back by the Mono County Sheriff's Office.

The field Team was in the field for 19 hours, climbing 4000 feet and hiking 15 miles. Responders were: Pete DeGeorge (ops), Corning, Holmquist, Michalski, Barry Beck, Hansen, Greene, Craig Knoche, and Greg Dallas.

Click Here for some pictures from the field team hike

October

Michelle Merchant is our newest Rescue Member, having completed her Candidate ladder, and was welcomed and accepted by a vote at the October Team meeting.

Good news! We expect to receive a replacement for tired-out Rescue 3 in the form of a brand new 4WD truck from the Sheriff's Department. Timing is TBD, but it is definitely in the County budget. This will be our very first NEW vehicle, but we have been very well served by the hand-me-downs over the years.

November

November 7, 2006. 06-000 #48. The SAR team was called out to assist with an evidence search in the Indiana Summit area off of Hwy 120E. Sheriffs Office personnel had been searching the area by foot, quad, and horse. The team contributed by grid searching several acres of terrain and locating a number of clues. Responders were: Holmquist, Hansen, Schmidt, Gilbreath, and Barry Beck.

December

Our annual holiday and awards dinner was held at the Convict Lake Restaurant on Tuesday December 12.

Each year the Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service. The team's main honor for achievement is the Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year Award. The award is named in memory of a beloved teammate who was killed in an ice climbing accident in 1996.

The 2006 Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year is Steve Case. Steve currently serves the team as a Board of Directors member, and he has also previously served as the team Secretary. Steve participated in 54 team events in 2006, including 23 field operations. Since 1995 Steve has served the County on 271 team events, including 108 rescues and searches.

He has a wide variety of mountaineering skills as well as swiftwater and tracking, and is one of the team's key players in all types of rescues. Steve is very modest about his skills and accomplishments, but he has quietly served as a mentor for many new team members. Steve brings many years of experience to the board of directors and is a constructive and consensus-seeking board member.

New members in training are called Candidate Members, and must undergo training, practice and testing in 18 skill categories before being considered for advancement to Rescue Member. Examples of these skills include first aid and victim care, tracking, technical rescue, mountain navigation, helicopter operations and skill with electronic aids such as computers, radios, avalanche transceivers and GPS receivers. Completion of all requirements takes a lot of dedication and faithfulness over a period that is typically a year or more.

The team honors one candidate member each year with the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year Award. Rick Mosher is the only team member to have died in the line of duty and was killed while on spotter duty in a small airplane that crashed during an operation on August 15, 1979.

This year the team selected Dan Corning as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Dan has been very active and faithful in both his training and in rescue operations, and recently advanced to Rescue Member status in a very short period of time. He has participated in 32 Team events, including 6 rescues since he began his training. Dan is eager to learn and works hard on calls without complaint.

Recognized for 10 Years Of Service (all post hoc) were Victor Aguirre, Steve Case, Pete DeGeorge, Jim Gilbreath, Joe Rousek and Sallee Burns (not present). Greg Enright was recognized for 20 Years Of Service.

President Jeff Holmquist and his partner in crime Jutta Schmidt presented some fun awards to team members:

• SAR MRE: Dan Corning
• Adult Uppergarment: John Hronesh
• Queen of Hygeine: Lori Ciccarelli
• Mousebak: Jutta Schmidt
• Geezer Poles: Steve Case
• Bronze Butt: Steve Case
• Silver Butt: Ron Hall
• Gold Butt: Lt. Robert Weber

Barry Beck did a great job of producing the video of the Team’s 2006 highlights. It took many many hours to put that together. DVDs are available.

Our annual election of the Board of Directors was held at the December meeting.

Team officers were elected by the Board members, as follows:

President - Jutta Schmidt
Vice President - Jeff Holmquist
CFO - Daniel Hansen
Secretary - Craig Knoche
Training Officer - Barry Beck
Equipment Officer - Dave Michalski
Member-at-Large - Steve Case
Members-at-Large - Jim Gilbreath
Member-at-Large - John Hronesh

December 5, 2006. 06-916 #49. Missing motorist, Hwy 395 CHP found person on 395 1 mile south of intersection with 203. Cancelled before callout (Greene).

December 16, 2006. 06-947 #50. Carolyn Mooney, 46, of Mammoth Lakes, was hiking with her dogs near the Scenic Loop when she became disoriented due to heavy snowfall. Mono County Sheriff deputies located her car, and called the SAR team to search the area. Mooney made contact with the Sheriffs Office and reported that she was now at Deadmans Campground. A deputy drove to the campground and brought her back to Mammoth Lakes. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), DeGeorge, Greene, Hansen, C Knoche, A Knoche, Rudolph, Albaugh, Corning, Case, Zahn, B Beck

December 23, 2006. 06-958 #51. Airplane crash, Bodie Hills. Joel Hodes from Shurz, Nevada was reported overdue while piloting a small plane near the Bodie area. On 12-23-06 at 0945 hours, the Search and Rescue Team was dispatched to the report of a downed aircraft east of Bridgeport in the Bodie Hills. An aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol was over the crash site, to direct ground teams/Deputies to that location.

15 Team members responded and staged at the Bridgeport Helitac. A medical team was flown into the crash site. A solo male pilot victim was located deceased in the wreckage. Deputy Coroner's Reigle and DeGeorge were flown to the crash site to conduct a coroner's investigation. Digital photographs were taken of the scene and victim in the condition found. The victim was extricated from the front left seat of the aircraft then flown to Bridgeport for continuance of the investigation. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Barry Beck, Holmquist, Case, Zahn, Burnham, Weatherly, Craig Knoche, Anne Knoche, Hansen, Mogg, Merchant, Petra Dallas, Rousek, and DeGeorge.