Mono Co SAR Incident 5/12-5/13 PCT Hiker Near Donohue Pass

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Mono Sheriff's Dept:

Lost PCT Hiker Near Donohue Pass // Monday–Tuesday, May 12–13, 2025 | 25-227 Op #07

On Monday, May 12th at 1358, the Team was called out for a lost PCT hiker in the vicinity of Donohue Pass via a 911 call. The 50-year-old male reported that he was on the PCT and had been navigating by alternating between traveling with other parties and following the footsteps of other parties ahead of him in the snow. When he called 911, the subject was approximately 1.5 trail miles from the pass at an elevation of 10,700 feet. He was traveling alone and had lost track of the footprints in the snow ahead of him. The subject reported having minimal overnight/cold-weather gear and no topographical map. He was advised by the SAR Coordinator to shelter in place while the team mounted a rescue. Rescue Base was established at the Rush Creek Trailhead/Silver Lake Campground. Aiming to beat the worst of the incoming winter storm, Rescue Operations deployed a team of four on foot up the Rush Creek Trail with overnight and medical equipment. This effort was supported by two additional team members who shuttled gear up the trail for the overnight team. Air resources were unavailable due to a combination of high winds, darkness, and intermittent snow.

The team of four split early on into two teams and continued their trek toward the subject through mixed terrain, high-flow water crossings, adverse weather, and rotten snow. Team 1A reached the subject around 2255 hours and assisted him in packing up camp and beginning a retreat from the backcountry. Team 1A reunited with Team 1B at Waugh Lake and the team members and subject slept for a few hours before resuming their exit at sunrise. At dawn, two additional field teams were dispatched up the trailhead to meet the outgoing crew and provide assistance with their heavy overnight packs.

All parties exited the backcountry without further incident, and the operation was terminated at 1044 on Tuesday, May 13th.

The Team would like to commend the hiker for calling for help soon after realizing the gravity of the circumstance, and not continuing to worsen an already precarious situation. We also admire this hiker’s enthusiasm for adventuring outdoors. However, we feel it’s important to share that even though this hiker made it this far along the PCT, much of that progress relied on the skills of others and luck. His lack of preparation and inadequate equipment placed him at significant risk in an unforgiving environment. We are grateful for a successful outcome and hope that he will be back someday more prepared and equipped for a successful and safe hike!

IC: Belcher
Ops Leaders: Haugh, Beck
Responders: Salay, Quiring, Wilson, Romanova, Irving-Ruffing, Kelly, Dickau, Lipman, Huizingh, Carlson, Tardy, Buchanan, Brownlee, Wallace, Senior, Case (18 total)
Volunteer Hours (Estimated): 172.3

Our 501(c)3 team is made up entirely of unpaid community members volunteering their own time and primarily their own equipment. We rely on donations to fund team equipment, higher level rescue and medical training, and facilities maintenance. To learn more about our all-volunteer team and to support our efforts, please visit https://www.monosar.org/donate