Inyo SAR Incident 5/23 Whitney's Mountaineers Route

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Inyo Sheriff's Dept:

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Inyo County Search and Rescue (Inyo SAR) successfully rescued two injured climbers stranded at an elevation of 13,900 feet on Mt. Whitney’s Mountaineers Route.

The incident began the previous day when one of the climbers sustained an injury, leading to an unplanned overnight stay on the mountain. During the night, the second climber suffered a back injury of unknown origin, resulting in significant bleeding and immobilization.

Inyo SAR received the call for assistance at 0930 hours on May 23rd. A team of seven rescuers was promptly assembled in Lone Pine, coordinating with California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter H-82 from Apple Valley.

One rescuer was hoisted directly to the climbers’ location, while another was dropped off at a landing zone at Iceberg Lake, several hundred feet below the accident site. Upon reaching the injured climbers, both individuals were assessed and hoisted out of the area. They were transferred to Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone Pine for further medical treatment.

Following the extraction of the injured climbers, H-82 returned to the mountain to retrieve the two rescuers, who were safely back at Lone Pine Airport by approximately 1630 hours.

While the exact circumstances leading to the double accident remain unclear, the climbers are commended for their preparedness, which enabled them to endure an unexpected night at high altitudes and in harsh conditions.

Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer and unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation with and under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County and its visitors is only possible thanks to donations. Inyosar.com/donate

Thank you to CHP Inland Air Operations for the assist @chp_inland_air_operation