On Sunday evening, July 21, 2019, the Team was called for a 21 year-old female hiker complaining of anemia and sciatica, approximately 11 miles from the Rush Creek trailhead near Donohue Pass. A field team of 4 rescue members began hiking in at 8:30 pm.

The field team preparing for a late-evening departure. Image by B. Beck

The field team on the trail. Image by B. Beck

At 2 am on July 22, a Blackhawk helicopter and a night vision gear (NVG) qualified crew located the subject.

A crewman was lowered to the subject, who was evaluated, and then the crewman and subject were hoisted into the Blackhawk. The subject was transported to Mammoth-Yosemite Airport, and Mono County Medic 3 crew briefly treated the subject who refused transport to Mammoth Hospital.

The field team continued to the pick-up location, and located the subject’s hiking partner at approximately 3 am. The field team briefly set up camp and slept, and then escorted the subject’s hiking partner to the trailhead, arriving at approximately 1 pm.

IC: Hansen, Minder. Ops Leaders: Beck, Torrence. Responders: Buchanan, Wallace, Bush, Quiring.