Snow guns blazing the first day of snowmaking November 18, 2014.at Roundtop Mountain Resort, the top 10 percent of early years for opening.
IDYLLWILD, CA – Two hikers, a man and a woman, were rescued Monday after being stranded for three days following an 800-foot fall down a snowy cliff on Tahquitz Mountain near Idyllwild, California, the Riverside Sheriff Aviation Unit reported Tuesday.
The hikers were traversing the trail at approximately 8,900 feet elevation on March 1 when they fell. They contacted 911, reporting severe injuries and requesting immediate assistance. Initial attempts by a Riverside Sheriff’s helicopter to rescue them were thwarted by 45 mph winds. Subsequent attempts by Cal Fire and Orange County Fire Authority helicopters also failed due to low clouds and high winds.
Volunteers from the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit located the hikers on the ground the first night. Over the next two days, numerous helicopter rescue attempts were made, but persistent mountain obscuration and high winds prevented successful extractions. The hikers endured temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit and continuous snowfall.
On the third day, Monday, weather conditions improved, allowing a helicopter to successfully hoist the hikers to safety. The man, who sustained the most severe injuries, was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, followed by the woman.
Body camera footage captured the challenging snowy conditions faced by rescuers. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco credited over 20 mountain team rescuers who hiked to the location, stating that the hikers “most definitely would have died from exposure to the elements.”
“Many thanks to all those ground crews that were involved as well as all the helicopter crews who were involved in the rescue,” the aviation unit said in a statement. “This was a very long and coordinated effort with amazing partners and volunteers. Outstanding job by all,” Bianco added on social media.
