At 0858 hours the Mono County Sheriff’s Office received a mutual aid request from Madera County to assist in the search and eventual rescue of a 14-year-old youth on Banner Peak, 12,942’. The subject had been reported missing on the evening of August 5 after he became separated from his party.
MOSAR responded to the Mammoth-Yosemite airport, and a field team of 2 was transported via CHP helicopter H40 for an aerial search, but the winds and density altitude caused this aircraft to be unsuitable for this task. H40 landed at the subject’s camp to interview the reporting party, and it was learned that he had been located on the west side of Banner Peak, and that he had sustained injuries. H40 then returned to the Mammoth-Yosemite airport.
A CH 47 Chinook helicopter from Mather Airfield responded to the Mammoth-Yosemite airport, and a field team of 6 was loaded for the flight to the Banner Peak area.
Preparing for departure from the Mammoth-Yosemite airport. Image by B. Torrence
Mr. Ritter (left) and Banner Peak. Image by B. Beck
The subject’s party reported that they had assisted the injured youth to an area just above Lake Catherine. The CH 47 made a precarious 2-wheel landing/hover on the south side of Lake Catherine, and offloaded 4 of the 6 team members, but then departed the LZ unexpectedly, leaving with 2 team members on board, and stranding one of their crew members. Due to unsuitable LZ,the crew member was hoisted back aboard the aircraft.
Looking for a suitable LZ on the shores of Lake Catherine. Image by B. Beck
Looking for the elusive flat area to set down. Image by B. Beck
The CH 47 tried several times to land on the north side of the lake closer to the subject, but was unable. The subject was also hoisted into the aircraft. The CH 47 then found a suitable LZ on the west side of the lake, and the field team and one member of the subject’s party quickly hiked around the lake to rejoin the aircraft.
Found a flat area on the west side of Lake Catherine. Image by B. Beck
The aircraft returned to the Mammoth-Yosemite airport, and the subject was united with his father, and provided medical services and transport from Mono County medics. The mutual aid call resolved at 1548 hours.
Arrival with our subject at Mammoth-Yosemite airport. Image by B. Beck
IC: Pelichowski Ops Leader: Beck Responders: Bush, Thompson, Torrence, Wallace, Senior, Quiring, and Hartstrom.