10-10-09 A 62 year old male went for a walk along the south fork of the American River, in the Mosquito area. He planned to return home before dark by accessing the Mosquito Bridge and following a paved road to his home.
He was reported missing by family. The subject was unable to complete his walk due to the very steep canyon walls. He spent the night on a rock in the river. In the morning- limited resources (foot, dog teams) were deployed. CHP H-20 spotted him, after daybreak. Using a one-skid landing the subject was rescued. One dog team found itself in a similar predicament.
With the help of a local, knowing a "secret path" and OHV teams- the dog team was guided out of the canyon and returned to CP by OHV.
This is a venue for El Dorado SAR members to provide fill-in information and first-hand accounts of specific previous searches. After SAR302 posts the first item about a recent search, any SAR member is invited to add their comments/observations/feelings/experience as it relates to said search. The postings are then edited and posted to the ESARC website (edsar.org) for public viewing.
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The power-on one-skid rescue of the subject was a precision job by the crew of H-20. The radio traffic ("Forward two, one, HOLD. Left three, two one, HOLD your hover") revealed just how tight the quarters were.
The aforementioned dog team, however, provided the challenge of the day. Brady, Chris, and Chris's dog Radek did a commendable job finding the trail left by the subject as he slipped and slid into the canyon. But once in the bottom of the 800-foot gorge they found themselves unable to go upstream, downstream - or back up the steep sides of the canyon wall.
By this time the helicopter had lifted the subject out and left for home. Brady, Chris, and Radek already soaked and cold from crossing and recrossing the river, we having no luck finding a way out. Jamey Morgan, the IC, had prevailed on H-20 to come back when the good samaritan neighbor showed up.
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