Inyo SAR Incident 4/17-18 Mt.Whitney

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Inyo Sheriff's Dept:

On Sunday April 17 around 12pm, a hiker fell while descending the 99 switchbacks on the Whitney Main Trail. He found himself off route and while attempting to get back on route, he scrambled across some unknown terrain. Suddenly, the rock that he was holding on to gave way and he tumbled backwards, hitting his head several times, but eventually coming to a quick stop where he was "cliffed out".

A nearby hiker was able to make contact with the injured person, and learned that he was stranded and unable to move without any further risk. Additionally he sustained multiple injuries from the fall, including a head, arm and ankle injury. The bystander hiker had an InReach and was able to quickly activate the SOS and get in touch with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.

Two Inyo County Search and Rescue members were called in and met California Highway Patrol H80 at the Lone Pine airport around 6pm where they were then airlifted to Trail Camp. Knowing they were losing daylight, the two SAR members came equipped with overnight gear for themselves and the injured hiker if the helicopter was not able to extract them before night fall.

Inyo SAR ascended the 99 switchbacks until reaching the subject near the cables section around 7:30pm. Injuries were assessed and it was deemed safe and crucial to move the patient down to Trail Camp where they could provide him warm clothes and overnight gear. The Inyo SAR members and injured hiker were able to slowly descend the trail, arriving at Trail Camp by 10:30pm.

The injured hiker was monitored throughout the night and then at 6:00am the next day, a China Lake Naval Base helicopter was able to land at Trail Camp and extract the patient as well as Inyo SAR members and their gear.

Inyo SAR wants to remind folks that this is one of the most dangerous times of the year on Mt. Whitney and this individual experienced a significant near-miss. When snow exists on the trail, especially above Trail Camp, it increases the intensity and difficulty of the main trail. This is not the place to travel on snow for the first time, or wear crampons for the first time or carry an ice axe without practice or training. Everyone who intends to hike is urged to follow the Inyo SAR STOP campaign.