At 11:51 pm on Saturday, July 13, the Team was called for a report of a 28 year-old female hiker from the Bay Area who had fallen down a steep snow-filled gully in the vicinity of the Incredible Hulk and had slid out of sight of her hiking partner.

The pair between them had one pair of crampons and one pair of snow traction devices, and they split the gear so that each had a crampon on one foot, and a traction device on the other. They then attempted to cross a steep snowfield above several steep snow-filled gullies, and the subject slipped and slid/tumbled down the gully out of sight of the reporting party (RP).

The RP hailed her partner several times, and no response was received. She realized she was not equipped to safely descend the gully to attempt to locate her friend, and with no mobile phone service available, immediately set out for help.

The RP hiked out approximately 2 hours to Mono Village and from there called 911 via landline for assistance. The Team responded to the Barney Lake Trailhead, just outside of the Mono Village resort.

Three field teams comprised of nine rescuers (including 3 EMTs) left Rescue Base at approximately 12:30 am (technically now Sunday, July 14) and the RP accompanied the field teams to guide them to the PLS (Place Last Seen). Navigating in the dark by headlamp, the field teams arrived at the PLS in approximately 2.5 hours.

Hiking the Barney Lake Trail enroute to the subject

Searching for the subject on the steep snowfields via roped belay. Image by B. Beck

The subject was quickly located, but was found to be in critical condition with traumatic head injuries, numerous broken bones, hypothermia, and likely internal damage. The subject was non-responsive throughout.

Treating subject while awaiting air extraction. Image by B. Beck

Prior to leaving Rescue Base, the field teams had requested air resources, due to extremely difficult travel conditions between the Barney Lake Trail and the base of the Incredible Hulk. CHP H40 stated that they would begin flight preparations and preflight at 0430, and would be on station by 0600.

CHP H40 arriving with the Bowman Bag for subject extraction. Image by B. Beck

The subject was treated and packaged, and her condition continued to deteriorate. The filed teams initiated rescue breathing to maintain vitals. CHP H40 arrived overhead at approximately 0700, assessed the situation, and departed to drop excess gear. At 0740 CHP H40 lowered the bowman bag, and the titanium frame litter was loaded into the bag, and H40 raised the package.

Packing up for the hike out. Image by B. Beck

Gathering the tag line for CHP H40. Image by B. Beck

CHP H40 then flew the subject directly to Bridgeport International Airport, and the subject was transferred to Care Flight and flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.

The field teams packed their gear, and hiked back to Rescue Base, arriving at approximately 0930, for a total of about 9 hours in the field. The Team displayed extraordinary team work, competence, and professionalism in successfully effecting this extraction and rescue. The Team continues to perform outstanding work. As this is written, our subject remains in critical condition.

IC: Hansen. Ops Leaders: Beck/Wallace. Responders: Hammack, L, Creager, Evans, Knight, Kaufman, Quiring, Patterson, Hansen, T.