Friday, December 17, 2010

Uncle Tom's Cabin OHV Sar

Search and rescue in progress Friday

El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies organized an active search and rescue early Friday.

Authorities are looking for a 53-year-old male and his disabled passenger, last seen in the Uncle Tom’s Cabin area in a black Ford pickup truck.

Neither had been seen or heard from since Thursday afternoon.

This story will be updated as more details become available.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Mutual Aid- NV Mt Rose Area

Washoe County SAR started started searching 11-21-10 after the sheriff's dept received 911 cell call. Several county SAR groups from NV and CA continued the search for 3 more days, until it was suspended in the afternoon of 11-24-10

Search for missing Reno hiker suspended (channel 4 Reno)

Page Last Updated: Wednesday November 24, 2010 7:24pm PST
Reno resident Rick Gentry.
Reno resident Rick Gentry.
Officials announced to Reno-area media Wednesday night that the search and rescue effort to locate a missing hiker has been suspended.

Reno resident Rick Gentry was last seen leaving for Galena Park Sunday night, and aside from a cell phone call that he placed to authorities to say that he was lost, he has not been heard form since. His vehicle and some belongings were located during the search and rescue.

Suspending the search involves a combination of several factors, according to Washoe County Sheriff's Deputy Armando Avina, the most significant of which follows:

-Authorities thoroughly evaluated Gentry's chance of survival taking into account the fact that he has been missing for 72 hours.
-The environmental conditions for search and rescue crews are too unsafe in regards to the weather and terrain.

Before suspending the search, officials notified Gentry's family, who were supportive of the decision knowing the daunting circumstances of the search so far, Avina said. Gentry's family members expressed their gratitude to the search crews, and were amazed at the sheer scope of the effort, especially the fact that many counties participated.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office will resume a recovery search effort on Sunday, weather permitting, Avina said.

Sheriff's personnel and search crews want to stress to the public that these types of hilly and mountainous areas are extremely dangerous because of the extreme cold and the snow, and that they should stay away from those areas if possible. They also said it is easy to get disoriented and lost, especially when it becomes dark outside. Avina says he understands that some people want to experience the outdoors in winter, but if they do they should be prepared, and never go too far from their vehicle.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Horsetail Falls Search 11-7-10

Four rescued near Horsetail Falls


By Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com,
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Rescuers braved low visibility, high winds and steep terrain to reach four people who became stranded near the top of Horsetail Falls Sunday evening.

Four backpackers from the Sacramento area, between the ages of 20 and 39, were on the way back from an overnight trip when they were caught in a storm that dropped about a foot of snow on area peaks, said El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputy and Search and Rescue Coordinator Mike Sukau. Horsetail Falls is located off of U.S. Highway 50 near Strawberry.

Although the group was decently prepared, they miscalculated the arrival of the storm, got wet, got cold and were unable to continue, Sukau said. The group set up an emergency shelter above a cliff band near the top of the falls and called 911 on a cell phone about 4:15 p.m.

“They couldn't even go 20 feet because they were so cold,” Sukau said.

Rescuers were able to locate the approximate location of the group by contacting the service provider of the cell phone. After scaling “extremely tough” terrain, one rescuer was able to reach the group about 9 p.m., Sukau said.

At least one of the backpackers, a 20-year-old women, showed signs of hypothermia and may not have survived the night, Sukau said.

Additional rescuers reached the group, giving them food and extra clothing, before beginning the dangerous task of bringing the group off the mountain.

By 11 p.m., rescuers were able to bring the group down about 700 vertical feet to a base camp using a “human chain” to help them down the steep terrain surrounding the falls.

“It was very treacherous,” Sukau said.

The backpackers, as well as their rescuers, reached the parking lot at the base of the falls about 3:15 a.m., Sukau said.

Although shaken, the group declined medical assistance. No one was injured during the incident, Sukau said.

About a dozen people from South Lake Tahoe and Placerville Search and Rescue teams, as well as members of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District took part in the rescue effort.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Placer County mutual aid- missing ATV rider 11-44

Embarked on a day trip 10-16-10; found dead by authorities on 10-19-10

http://www.kcra.com/news/25437596/detail.html

Missing ATV Rider Found Dead In Rugged Terrain

Orangevale Man's Death Under Investigation

POSTED: 5:49 am PDT October 19, 2010
UPDATED: 1:54 pm PDT October 19, 2010

An all-terrain vehicle rider from Orangevale who disappeared in the mountains of Placer County was found dead Tuesday, officials said.Jamie Michael Lewis, 51, left Robinson Flat on Saturday and was expected to return that day.He was reported missing early Monday morning by family members.Authorities were looking in a huge area between Foresthill and Soda Springs.Lewis' body was found with his ATV in rugged terrain, officials said. His death is under investigation.Deputies from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Search and Rescue volunteers and air support from the California Highway Patrol took part in the search.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Missing Day Hiker- out of Eagle Falls Trailhead 10-9-10

RP placed a cell call that subject was missing from day hike. Members from Tahoe SAR initiated teams Saturday night for an overnight. West Slope members showed up early in the morning. H-24 was involved with flyovers. Subject was found early afternoon on 10-10-10.

SAR management personnel (small #) managed multiple teams with the new and emerging CIMMS search information system, tracking teams, clues, radio logs, clues, tracks and disposition.

Missing Hunter- Iron Mtn Rd near SR 88; 9-26-10

A hunting party, connected by FRS radios, became separated. The missing subject fired 3 shots as a "distress" message. The SAR coordinator was contacted in the early hours. A callout was made for next morning. The subject hunkered down, built a fire and was walking out in the morning when his party found him. He was interviewed by SAR personnel.

Horsetail Falls Search 8-2-10

Two day hikers, one experienced and one less experienced, became lost after entering the Desolation Wildnerness from Horsetail Falls. CalStar overflew, spotted them, marked their coordinates. The next morning, teams were dispatched to find the pair.
Justin and John arrived after search was underway. The pair was possibly spotted on the ridge. J and J hiked up to meet them and walk them down.