Search and Rescue: Lessons from the Field
About This BlogEach year, park rangers and search and rescue (SAR) personnel respond to approximately 250 emergency incidents in Yosemite National Park. The park's Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program posts selected SAR incident reports on this blog in the hopes that readers can learn from the experiences of others. Before reading through the blog, please be familiar with the park's comment policy. We're back with new posts!
May 15, 2013
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In addition to posting detailed search and rescue incidents with lessons learned, we'll also be posting brief incident updates more frequently. Lessons Learned 2012: Last post for the seasonFor our last post for the 2012 season, we decided to highlight five lessons from this year’s entries. We will resume posting in early summer 2013. Church Bowl Self-RescueA climber forgets to wear helmet, then falls and lands on his head... immediately adjacent to the Yosemite Medical Clinic. Rescue From Near Snake Dike (Half Dome)On Monday, August 27, 2012, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from two climbers (one male and one female) who had had fallen on what they had believed to be the first pitch of Snake Dike, a climbing route on the Southwest Face of Half Dome. In fact, the climbers were approximately one quarter of a mile east of the Snake Dike route. Hikers Seriously Injured After Slipping and Falling Near Chilnualna FallsTwo hikers slipped and then fell vertically onto large uneven rocks near Chilnualna Falls. Scrambling off-trail is one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in Yosemite. When deciding to venture off-trail, hikers must evaluate the terrain they are entering, as well as their own skills and equipment. Stranded Hikers Rescued from Tenaya CanyonA father and daughter hiking near Olmsted Point lost the trail and became stranded in Tenaya Canyon. Rappellers Rescued off of El CapitanOn Saturday, August 4, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a request for assistance from two rappellers who had gotten off route and subsequently stuck while attempting to rappel the Nose climbing route on El Capitan (about 2,900 feet vertically, with about 23 rappels). This incident is a good example of the dangerous cascade of events that can occur when a team is ill-prepared for what is a very serious undertaking. Hang Gliding Accident Resulting in Injuries Near Glacier PointOn Friday, August 3, 2012, at approximately 9 am, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from bystanders at Glacier Point who witnessed a hang gliding accident approximately 400 feet below the Glacier Point lookout. It is important to remember that in any activity, maintaining awareness, avoiding complacency, and double-checking systems are as important for experts as they are for novices. Seriously Ill Backpacker at High Elevation (near Isberg Pass) Flown out by HelicopterOn July 18, a 22 year-old male backpacker who appeared to be experiencing acute mountain sickness was flown out by helicopter from just below Isberg Pass. Many hiking illnesses that Yosemite Search and Rescue responds to each year could be prevented (or the severity of those medical conditions greatly diminished). Learn how to stay healthy at high elevations. Partial Thickness Leg Burns in Little Yosemite ValleyAt about 8:45 a.m. on Friday, July 6, a 52 year-old female backpacker staying in the Little Yosemite Valley backpacker’s campground suffered partial thickness burns to both her legs. Litter carryout on Yosemite Falls TrailOn the afternoon of Thursday, July 12, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a report that a male hiker in his upper 40s/early 50s had fallen on the Yosemite Falls Trail, just below Columbia Rock, and could not continue hiking Climber injured in Sentinel Descent GullyAlthough the way down after a technical climb may involve relatively easy scrambling or hiking, a hiking trail can be as treacherous as the climbing route itself, should the climber’s attention stray. Whether a climber or a hiker, be sure to focus on what you’re doing on the way up, as well as on the way down (especially if you’re off trail). Hiker Seriously Injured while Scrambling near Illilouette FallThe following incident demonstrates the capacities and shortcomings of cell phone use in Yosemite. Keep in mind that cell phones that work fine at home, may not work in the park. If yours works and you need emergency help, it is imperative that you call 911 instead of texting. Hiker Falls off Half Dome CablesOn Friday, June 22, at about 5 pm, a hiker slipped while descending the Half Dome cables. Open Ankle Fracture on Panorama TrailOn the afternoon of June 18, 2012, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received a report that a 65-year-old female had fractured her ankle on the Panorama Trail, approximately one mile down from the Glacier Point trailhead. Rattlesnake Bite in Little Yosemite ValleyOn the evening of June 2, 2012, the Yosemite Emergency Communications Center received report that a 25-year-old male had been bitten on the hand by a rattlesnake in the Little Yosemite Valley campground. |
Did You Know?
Black bears in Yosemite are active both day and night. Most bears that rely on natural food sources are active during the day. However, those that get food from people are often active at night, when they can quietly sneak around and grab unattended food. More...