A young male subject embarked on a long solo, first-time backpacking trip from Modesto to Tahoe. During his hike along U.S. 50 the subject stated CHP told him not to hike along the highway. On Saturday June 13th, he called 911 and was in touch with Deputy Olmos from Tahoe SAR and another SAR member.
Reason for the call- he was in the canyon and lost. A medical helo provided a flyover survey and EDSAR Swiftwater Team was dispatched to check a stretch of the S. fork of the American River downstream from Pacific House.
On Sunday, a wider callout was made- SAR ground, K9, OHV and Swiftwater teams searched the trails, the canyon and the waterways, down towards and downstream from Fresh Pond. Cal Star provided a morning flyover. Later in the day a National Guard Huey from Stockton arrived for more flyover surveys.
No sign, tracks or clues of the subject were found. Some team members did encounter poison oak exposure deep in the canyon. In addition a cougar was sighted.
On the following morning, SAR coordinators arranged for CHP H-20 to fly the river again. The subject was spotted, approximately 1000 yards downstream from points that several teams reached the day before. The subject was hoisted out and delivered to EDSO for debrief and reuniting with family.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
South Fork Rescue Memorial Day
On Sat May 23, 2009- EDSO rec'd a 911 call from a pair who set out from Chili Bar with inner tubes, no PFDs and otherwise unequipped. After the first rapids, they realized that they were in danger and way past their abilities to continue. They exited into some isolated area off river and made contact with cell phone.
Sgt. Morton organized fire and rescue; EDSO dive team. CHP H-20 was called. Plans were underway to callout Swiftwater and possibly other support teams. H-20 located the subjects. They were hoisted up and deposited on a hastily made helispot at Hwy 193 and the American River.
While the rescue was a complete success, without loss of life, SAR members did not have the opportunity to participate. When the family learned about the process, they made a sizable donation to ESARC our non-profit organization.
Sgt. Morton organized fire and rescue; EDSO dive team. CHP H-20 was called. Plans were underway to callout Swiftwater and possibly other support teams. H-20 located the subjects. They were hoisted up and deposited on a hastily made helispot at Hwy 193 and the American River.
While the rescue was a complete success, without loss of life, SAR members did not have the opportunity to participate. When the family learned about the process, they made a sizable donation to ESARC our non-profit organization.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Missing Desolation Wilderness Hiker
Placerville Man Discovered In Desolation Wilderness
POSTED: 11:45 am PDT June 9, 2009 (kcra.com)
UPDATED: 4:37 pm PDT June 9, 2009
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. -- A Placerville man who was reported missing in the Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra has been found safe.
Matthew Kinney, 26, was last seen at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Loon Lake by the friend who dropped him off.
He was found in good health at about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Lake Schmidell, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said.
Kinney's plan was to hike from Loon Lake to Horsetail Falls, spending two nights in the wilderness and ending his trip on June 6.
When Kinney did not return, he was reported missing to El Dorado County Sheriff Office, which started search and rescue efforts.
POSTED: 11:45 am PDT June 9, 2009 (kcra.com)
UPDATED: 4:37 pm PDT June 9, 2009
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. -- A Placerville man who was reported missing in the Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra has been found safe.
Matthew Kinney, 26, was last seen at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Loon Lake by the friend who dropped him off.
He was found in good health at about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Lake Schmidell, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said.
Kinney's plan was to hike from Loon Lake to Horsetail Falls, spending two nights in the wilderness and ending his trip on June 6.
When Kinney did not return, he was reported missing to El Dorado County Sheriff Office, which started search and rescue efforts.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Grizzly Flat- missing juveniles 4-16-09
EDSO was notified about 2 missing juveniles on the evening of 4-16-09. A callout was made and SAR member(s) from Grizzly Flats located the subjects, straight away.
Alpine Mutual Aid 4-9-09
About 10-14 days before our involvement, a car belonging to a 51 yr old female was found south of Markleeville. Investigation indicated that she might be a missing person at risk. Multiple counties from CA and NV assisted Alpine County Sheriff's Dept in looking for signs of the subject. On 4-9-09 team members from EDSAR West Slope and Tahoe, were joined by members from Douglas County NV.
At one point, dogs showed interest in a mine shaft. Deputy Olmos was roped up, assisted by SAR members to have a look. Nothing was found. While an investigation is ongoing, Alpine SO suspended the search after this date.
At one point, dogs showed interest in a mine shaft. Deputy Olmos was roped up, assisted by SAR members to have a look. Nothing was found. While an investigation is ongoing, Alpine SO suspended the search after this date.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Deceased Loon Lake Subject
A Sacramento man, missing for two weeks, was found dead near Loon Lake. USFS rangers reported his found vehicle to El Dorado Sheriff, who found the vehicle was registered to a missing person.
On March 16, 2009 the EDSO, assisted by search dog teams, located the subject, apparently the victim of a suicide.
On March 16, 2009 the EDSO, assisted by search dog teams, located the subject, apparently the victim of a suicide.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Camp Creek SAR
(excerpted from KCRA)
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. -- A missing 13-year-old boy and his father who spent a chilly night in the Sierra after a kayak trip were plucked to safety Monday by a rescue helicopter east of Pollock Pines.
Mike Zanoska, 46, and his son, Ian, were reunited with family members shortly after 11 a.m. Mike Zanoska expressed gratitude to rescuers.
"I just appreciate all their hard efforts," the elder Zanoska said as medics took him to an ambulance. "It would have been a long, miserable couple more hours to walk out without their helping us."
The duo was dropped off Sunday in the mountains east of Pollock Pines. They were discovered Monday along Camp Creek a short distance from Mormon Emigrant Trail.
A searcher in an airplane spotted a kayak early Monday. The father and son were found nearby in the creek canyon.
A California Highway Patrol rescue helicopter delicately descended into the canyon, a rescuer was lowered and Ian Zanoska was lifted into the chopper.
The helicopter flew the boy to a nearby command post at about 11 a.m., where medics were waiting. He could be seen walking to waiting family members wearing a big green jacket.
The helicopter then returned and picked up his father. He was flown back to the command post about 10 minutes later, loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled to an ambulance. He was given a blanket to warm up after spending a freezing night in the woods.
"It was cold," Mike Zanoska added. "We had a fire. We had a space blanket. I had (Ian) in a parka, but, you know, we were sleeping in kind of a hollowed-out cave and it was cold."
Both father and son were taken to a local hospital for evaluations, but both appeared to be in good health.
Holly Zonoska, Mike's wife and Ian's mom, expressed tears of joy after her loved ones were flown to safety.
"I'm just so relieved," she said. "You have no idea. You have no idea."
A family member reported the pair missing Sunday after they failed to show up at a predetermined meeting spot.
The family member called the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, which launched a search late Sunday. The search resumed on Monday.
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. -- A missing 13-year-old boy and his father who spent a chilly night in the Sierra after a kayak trip were plucked to safety Monday by a rescue helicopter east of Pollock Pines.
Mike Zanoska, 46, and his son, Ian, were reunited with family members shortly after 11 a.m. Mike Zanoska expressed gratitude to rescuers.
"I just appreciate all their hard efforts," the elder Zanoska said as medics took him to an ambulance. "It would have been a long, miserable couple more hours to walk out without their helping us."
The duo was dropped off Sunday in the mountains east of Pollock Pines. They were discovered Monday along Camp Creek a short distance from Mormon Emigrant Trail.
A searcher in an airplane spotted a kayak early Monday. The father and son were found nearby in the creek canyon.
A California Highway Patrol rescue helicopter delicately descended into the canyon, a rescuer was lowered and Ian Zanoska was lifted into the chopper.
The helicopter flew the boy to a nearby command post at about 11 a.m., where medics were waiting. He could be seen walking to waiting family members wearing a big green jacket.
The helicopter then returned and picked up his father. He was flown back to the command post about 10 minutes later, loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled to an ambulance. He was given a blanket to warm up after spending a freezing night in the woods.
"It was cold," Mike Zanoska added. "We had a fire. We had a space blanket. I had (Ian) in a parka, but, you know, we were sleeping in kind of a hollowed-out cave and it was cold."
Both father and son were taken to a local hospital for evaluations, but both appeared to be in good health.
Holly Zonoska, Mike's wife and Ian's mom, expressed tears of joy after her loved ones were flown to safety.
"I'm just so relieved," she said. "You have no idea. You have no idea."
A family member reported the pair missing Sunday after they failed to show up at a predetermined meeting spot.
The family member called the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, which launched a search late Sunday. The search resumed on Monday.
