If Friday had been a great rescue Monday was going to pay me back.
We arrived at the river bank where the fisherman's pickup was located. His canoe was 1/4 mile down river with his gear in it. He had not been seen in over 24 hrs. We were briefed and split up into two teams. I was to scout for Marlene and Elliot on one bank and Bill and Jo with Zoey would cross the river and search the other side. We also had two ground searchers checking the banks on each side.
Elliot hit the water as soon as we got to the shore line. He did not want to go farther, he wanted to go up river, we pushed him on, hoping the man had climbed ashore somewhere.
Two hours later the dive rescue found the fisherman 8 feet below surface.
This was my second search with recovery of deceased, but the first time I would participate in the body recovery. I done okay, but this time the man looked very peaceful. I know the family is better off having found him.
58 year old diabetic, unaccustomed to canoes, no life preserver and fishing alone.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Mt Lucifer 7300 ft
June 26 Mt Lucifer
We were called out for a lost Hiker near the Pacific Crest Trail who had become lost. He had a cell phone and a remote locate device. We left the trail Nannie creek trail head at about 430 pm with six hikers. One of our hikers was dehydrated from activity earlier in the day and decided later that it would be best if he did not go on. We split the team in half. Half went on and half returned. This later became an asset to the rescue.
Later the three of us who pushed on lost the trail we were using because of snow cover. We had a map and GPS location. We followed the contour of the mountain climbing slightly in the direction of the GPS location.
We made verbal contact, yelling noises, and continued our ascent. When we get about 200 feet from Lucifer peak we are sure Chris's voice seems to be coming from one direction and the GPS location is in the opposite location. I called the team lead at this time and asked for advice. Sometimes voices echo badly in the mountains. We had a good possibility of this and it was getting dark fast.
Team lead says he can Chris's fire and asks if we can see his light. About two miles to the South East we locate his flash light and turn on our headlights. He spots us and is able to guide us by radio to the subject. The last 200 feet climb up Lucifer peak was extremely steep and snow covered. Very spooky with headlamps.
We reach the peak just in time to see the sun set over the mountains at 7300 feet. It was beautiful and the peak was bare of snow. Chris was about 10 minutes away and the trail was clear.
We reached Chris, ensured he was in good shape. Then we proceeded to return. Maps showed a gradual descent to the South, most likely the way Chris had gotten there. We followed the trail as far as we could, but lost it to snow cover as well. Chris's prints were gone from melt during the day. Everywhere we went it seemed a 100 feet drop. We find a scree field in one area and the trail is at the bottom of it. The three young men with me have done this before, but I have not. Patience and trust in their knowledge help me to overcome this descent. OMG!
About 4:30 am we arrive at the trail head again with Chris and some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had.
Early 20s male hiking PCT alone, no maps and no compass. He lost the trail found a comfortable place and called for help.
We were called out for a lost Hiker near the Pacific Crest Trail who had become lost. He had a cell phone and a remote locate device. We left the trail Nannie creek trail head at about 430 pm with six hikers. One of our hikers was dehydrated from activity earlier in the day and decided later that it would be best if he did not go on. We split the team in half. Half went on and half returned. This later became an asset to the rescue.
Later the three of us who pushed on lost the trail we were using because of snow cover. We had a map and GPS location. We followed the contour of the mountain climbing slightly in the direction of the GPS location.
We made verbal contact, yelling noises, and continued our ascent. When we get about 200 feet from Lucifer peak we are sure Chris's voice seems to be coming from one direction and the GPS location is in the opposite location. I called the team lead at this time and asked for advice. Sometimes voices echo badly in the mountains. We had a good possibility of this and it was getting dark fast.
Team lead says he can Chris's fire and asks if we can see his light. About two miles to the South East we locate his flash light and turn on our headlights. He spots us and is able to guide us by radio to the subject. The last 200 feet climb up Lucifer peak was extremely steep and snow covered. Very spooky with headlamps.
We reach the peak just in time to see the sun set over the mountains at 7300 feet. It was beautiful and the peak was bare of snow. Chris was about 10 minutes away and the trail was clear.
We reached Chris, ensured he was in good shape. Then we proceeded to return. Maps showed a gradual descent to the South, most likely the way Chris had gotten there. We followed the trail as far as we could, but lost it to snow cover as well. Chris's prints were gone from melt during the day. Everywhere we went it seemed a 100 feet drop. We find a scree field in one area and the trail is at the bottom of it. The three young men with me have done this before, but I have not. Patience and trust in their knowledge help me to overcome this descent. OMG!
About 4:30 am we arrive at the trail head again with Chris and some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had.
Early 20s male hiking PCT alone, no maps and no compass. He lost the trail found a comfortable place and called for help.
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