At 1951 hours the Team was called to assist in locating an overdue 44-year-old female hiker in the Mt. Conness area. The subject had ascended Mt. Conness with her hiking partner, and on the descent they became separated. Her partner backtracked to where she was last seen, near some 3rd-class terrain, but was unable to locate her. The subject's partner then hiked out to the Sawmill Walk-In Campground to retrieve his vehicle, then drove to the Saddlbag Lake Resort and used their Starlink connection to request assistance.
Search base was initially set up at the Sawmill Walk-In Campground and was later moved to a turnout/overlook just below Saddlebag Lake. Two field teams of 2 members each were assigned search areas to cover in the dark under the illumination of a super blue moon. Team 1 left the campground on an out-and-back search assignment, and Team 2 was assigned to ascend past Alpine Lake toward the place the subject was last known to be. As they started late into the night, they proceeded to a point just below the Conness Plateau and stopped for a short night's rest. Team 1 returned to base to wait for an early morning redeployment.
The super blue moon lit up the night. Image by J. Lipman
An uncomfortable shiver-bivy below the Conness Plateau. Image by J. Lipman
Planning took place overnight, and CHP Helicopter H42 was requested, and they accepted the mission, agreeing to arrive at first light for an overhead search. More Team response was also requested to arrive at 0600 for new assignments. The overnight and morning were windy, and H42 flew the high-elevation terrain as best they could with no sighting. They cut their search short due to strong downdrafts and turbulent flight conditions.
Yosemite National Park Helicopter 551 was also requested, along with ground personnel to search likely areas inside the Park. 551 had a little better experience with the winds, and flew low and slow for several circuits with no sightings before flying back into the Park. Yosemite field teams from Tuolumne Meadows were assigned to search the area from there to Young Lakes.
Yosemite 551 low and slow searching for the subject. Image by J. Lipman
The overnight field team resumed their search assignment and covered a large area of off-trail scrambling. One team member established a trail block to interview hikers coming out on the trail. Search base had an expansive view of the search area, and a high-power spotting scope was used to search from a distance. It is possible that the subject was sighted, but there was no confirmation.
Team 2 continuing the search after a cool and windy overnight. Image by J. Lipman
The former Team 1 re-entered the field on a new assignment based on the possible sighting, and the subject was located a short time later near the Sawmill Walk-In Campground. The operation terminated at 1012 hours on Monday morning.
The subject exited under her own power. Image by J. Lipman
IC: Rhoads, Pelichowski Ops Leader: Haugh Responders: Wilson, Bush, Baron, Creager, Case, Buchanan, Quiring, Brownlee, Anderson, Torrence, Huizingh, Lipman