Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/71859 ... artslide=0Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed Pacific Coast Trail hiker
BRIAN MELLEYASSOCIATED PRESS | July 10, 2017, 2:41PM | Updated 1 hour ago.
LOS ANGELES— California sheriff's deputies are searching for two armed men who robbed rescuers trying to aid a distressed hiker on a popular trail.
Kern County Sgt. Zack Bittle said an operation to find the culprits was underway Monday in the Piute Mountains about 85 miles north of Los Angeles.
Bittle says the suspects stole radios from two volunteers with the sheriff's search and rescue team Saturday who were trying to help a hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail. The two were unharmed and walked to their command post to call deputies.
Hiker Charles Brandenburg says he was dehydrated when he sought help.
Authorities closed the trail after the robbery and airlifted Brandenburg and three other backpackers trying to hike the 2,650-mile (4,265-kilometer) route from Mexico to Canada on the trail.
Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT hkr
- rlown
- Topix Docent
- Posts: 8224
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Wilton, CA
Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT hkr
- gary c.
- Topix Fanatic
- Posts: 1479
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:56 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Lancaster, CA
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
How messed up is that!! Robbing SAR volunteers during a rescue.
"On this proud and beautiful mountain we have lived hours of fraternal, warm and exalting nobility. Here for a few days we have ceased to be slaves and have really been men. It is hard to return to servitude."
-- Lionel Terray
-- Lionel Terray
- k9mark
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:27 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Stockton CA
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
Growers? Cookers?
God created Police Officers so Firemen would have heroes
- AlmostThere
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2724
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
k9mark wrote:Growers? Cookers?
EveryOne assumes that, but they don't hang out near trails stealing from or being seen by hikers. Quite the opposite.
- k9mark
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:27 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Stockton CA
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
Did I read the article wrong? It appears they were back country and had to walk out to the command post?
God created Police Officers so Firemen would have heroes
- AlmostThere
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2724
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
Why is that surprising? Walking someone off the trail is normal SAR behavior. So is having to walk out on your own after a search.k9mark wrote:Did I read the article wrong? It appears they were back country and had to walk out to the command post?
The PCT crosses a lot of roads too. The banditos might have been not so far into the backcountry as all that -- nor the hiker, nor the volunteers. The Piute Mountains are a major OHV area - lots of roads and "roads."
- Jimr
- Forums Moderator
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Torrance
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
Piute mountains are right up against Bella Vista, Weldon and Lake Isabella. Not so backcountry to me. And 13 miles away from the PCT. Maybe the location reporting is a bit off. IIRC from other posts, it was a part of the PCT that was temporarily closed.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
- AlmostThere
- Topix Addict
- Posts: 2724
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:38 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
??? This is from the PCT interactive map on the PCTA site. The red line is the PCT.Jimr wrote:Piute mountains are right up against Bella Vista, Weldon and Lake Isabella. Not so backcountry to me. And 13 miles away from the PCT. Maybe the location reporting is a bit off. IIRC from other posts, it was a part of the PCT that was temporarily closed.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- rlown
- Topix Docent
- Posts: 8224
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Wilton, CA
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
At least the rescuers weren't hurt, and Hiker Charles Brandenburg got a helicopter ride out of it after the rescuers returned to base. Hiker Charles Brandenburg recovered from dehydration and is back on the PCT.
- Jimr
- Forums Moderator
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: Torrance
Re: Rescuers robbed at gunpoint trying to aid distressed PCT
That makes more sense. I was looking at the Northern terminus of Piute Mountains near the lake.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest