Highlights of The Year 2004

Compiled from Newsletters by Webmaster

The following accounts of field operations are the best efforts of the newsletter editor, are NOT official reports, and may have errors and omissions, for which apologies and regrets are expressed in advance.

January

At their January meeting the Board of Directors selected the new Team Officers. The following from our new President tells it all.

As most of you know, Greg, Jim Gilbreath, and Patrick have left the board after many collective years of service, and they will be missed a lot. Greg and Jim each spent about ten years on the board and contributed substantially to the shaping of the team that we see today. In particular, I want to call attention to Greg's leadership during his most recent three years as President.

I don't think that I have seen any volunteer or paid organization with such a positive outlook and mutual respect among members as we have seen on this team over the past three years. Some of this is due to a particularly good collection of personalities, but I think much of the credit goes to Greg's enthusiasm, humor, and leadership by example. Thanks Greg.

We have three excellent new board members in Dave, Tim, and Jim Wright, and Jim Gilbreath will continue to produce the newsletter. The board chose officers at our meeting January 9. Victims are as follows:

President- Jeff Holmquist Greg Enright has many years of SAR experience that I don't claim to possess, but this team has so much good momentum that I don't think I'll get in the way too much.

Vice-President- Pete DeGeorge Pete returns as Veep, has many years of board experience, and is more than qualified to step in to run meetings when necessary as well as perform other duties.

Secretary- Steve Case Steve continues as secretary. He's done a great work in his brief tenure as secretary, and I know that he has enjoyed all the modifications that he has had to make to his computer set-up in order to get the job done.

Treasurer- Jutta Schmidt Jutta is going to keep keeping the books. I realize probably more than others what a PITA this job can be and how much time she puts into it. Her German über-organization pays off.

Training Officer- John Hronesh We suckered John into taking over as Training Officer. Judging from the work he did on recruitment last year, I think he'll make sure that the training program runs smoothly, although he wants to change our uniform colors to black and silver for some reason.

Equipment Officer- Dave Michalski With Dori spending much of the upcoming year in nursing school, Dave was willing to step in as EO. He's already been helping Dori quite a bit, so this should be a seamless transition.

Other board members: Don't think that these are do-nothing positions. The board does endless behind-the-scenes chores, and these folks will be active in all of them.

Dori Leyen- If you think about all the gear that we have, being Equipment Officer is a really demanding task, and Dori improved our organization quite a bit. She'll be guiding Dave as EquipMentor.

Tim Rudolph- Tim has done a great job ordering and organizing-- and building!-- equipment in the past, and he'll continue to help with this and other tasks.

Jim Wright- Jim has decades of experience in SAR, and we'll be sticking him with lots of chores. His insights from many years on a different team will be particularly valuable. I think that this will be a good board.

Thanks to Dr. Pete Clark for an excellent slide presentation on ski and snowboard injuries and hazards at the January meeting. It was recorded on video tape.

The Team received a generous donation and the following beautifully written letter.

From: AT&T Low Speed Data Service Delivery Team and AT&T Public Relations

To all who willing gave in the search for our friend and co-worker, Fred Claassen:

As our thoughts turn to you and the efforts you invested, we are amazed at your ability to go out day after day, night after night overturning unfamiliar stones in hopes of success. While it is true that the face behind the missing person will be new every time, we wanted to let you know that the stories, the experiences and the support of many in the distance may be more familiar than foreign.

As co-workers and friends of Fred Claassen, we wanted to share a bit about the friend, father, son, neighbor, co-worker and spirit that you dedicated so many hours to finding this past year.

Fred, by title was a Communications Technician who connected the last pieces of all important communications lifelines for business customers across the U.S. In this effort, he created the final bond that brought reality to life for a myriad of customers. He frequently had to exercise his analytical ability and troubleshoot problems while making the canvas of what his customers saw to be nothing less than "museum quality." He translated rather mundane components and technology into life, vitality and useful medium.

In the beauty of the nature where you sought for him, he too, was shaping the canvas of his beloved hobby of photography, audio and video. He momentarily put his job responsibilities on pause to go to the Yosemite area for a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to capture the opposing forces of the fury of a late summer storm with the serenity of nature. For sure we know that Fred was in quest of a passion near to his heart. Though our hearts remain heavy, we do find comfort knowing that he was doing what his heart desired.

Fred was a free spirit, expressive of his love for nature, beauty, music, photography, nature and most of all loved ones to share in the splendor. Each of us knew that as a father, husband, son and friend, there was no finer than Fred.

Our hope is that this gesture of support, in honor of Fred will help connect the pieces of the vital search efforts, and the impact that your day to day efforts have on many in the distance.

Kindest regards and thank you for tireless hours devoted in the spirit of painting Fred back into the canvas of our lives.

Sincerely,
The People of AT&T Low Speed Data Services - Pleasanton, CA

January 2-4, 2004. 04-05R. Mutual Aid to San Bernadino county. On 1 January, Chung (aka Charles) Koh, of Pasadena, was hiking with his wife and two children along a popular trail on New Year's Day. At some point, he left his family and continued with a male friend toward Mt. Baldy's peak on the Hut Trail.

Koh made it to the top and then fell about 2:30 p.m. on a narrow stretch of the trail. His climbing partner was unable to descend the terrain, and hiked to the nearby Sierra Hut where a club member used a cell phone to call for help.

A San Bernadino SAR team was dispatched to the area and located blood in the snow as well as Koh's hiking poles. The San Berandino team followed track until forced to abort due to poor visibility and heavy snowfall.

A mutual aid call for alpine personnel went out the next day, and on the 3rd and 4th approx 75 personnel combed the steep terrain, characterized by firm snow and a one-inch layer of ice on all objects, the result of an uncharacteristic Sierra ice storm. Responders were: Holmquist, Riggs, Schmidt.

Ali Aminian, 51, of Newbury Park, disappeared on the same mountain January 11. The bodies of both missing hikers have now been located, both in ice chutes spilling from a ridge system south of Mt Baldy.

Aminian's body was found at the 9,000-foot elevation by a 4-man team from China Lake on January 14 in an ice chute off the Bear Flats trail.

The first subject, missing since January 1, was found January 17 across the canyon from the Sierra Hut, in the Baldy Bowl area, in the Ice Chutes.

January 12, 2004 - Snowmobile Training at Devil's Punch Bowl

January 16, 2004 - Snowmobile Training with Don Little at DJ's Snowmobile Adventures at Smokey Bear Flat

January 20 to February 1, 2004. 04-01R. Chris Foley from Los Angeles was on a solo skiing trip to Mammoth Mountain. The SAR team was called out to search for Mr Foley as he had not returned to pick up his vehicle. Investigators found that Mr. Foley's ski pass was last scanned Jan 6th on Mammoth Mountain Chair 1 or Chair 6.

Searchers concentrated efforts in and near ski runs that friends had described as favorites of Mr Foley. Search assignments outside the boundary of the ski area were also completed. Ski teams searched inside and outside of the ski area, snowshoers searched the area southeast of the ski area, and a helicopter searched areas southwest of the ski area. Dog teams searched between ski runs on Mammoth Mountain. Snowmobiles were used to check all buildings from Agnew Meadows to Reds Meadow.

On February 1, SAR Team searchers found remains that are believed to be Mr. Foley's near Pumice Flat, west of Mammoth Mountain. Responders were: Enright (Ops), Greene (Ops), Michalski, Holmquist, Hronesh, Zahn, Greene, Schmidt, Knoche, Rousek, Wright, Matell, and WOOF members B. Macaulay, L Macaulay, and McClintock.

The following report appeared in the January 29, Mammoth Times:

Mono County Search and Rescue personnel (SAR) continue to look for an overdue skier who disappeared somewhere near Mammoth Mountain on January 6. Christopher Foley, 63, an attorney from the Los Angeles area checked out of the Motel 6 in Mammoth Lakes, and was last seen on chairlift one or six on January 6.

SAR information on Foley indicated that he typically came to Mammoth Lakes and skied by himself for two or three days at a time. Foley was retired from the Department of Justice in Los Angeles, and was known as a conservative individual (not given to partying). He was physically fit, not married and had no children. At press time, authorities were unable to locate any relatives or parents.

Foley's disappearance came to the attention of Mammoth law enforcement officials on January 19, when Alpine Garage in Mammoth Lakes reported that no one had come to claim Foley's vehicle. Alpine Garage told officials they had stored the vehicle after it had been towed from Canyon Lodge on January 12.

A missing person's report and investigation began, and the car was searched. Mammoth Lakes Police Department found clothes, a shaving kit, a driver's license, but nothing else of significance.

The Los Angeles Police Department visited Foley's home in LA, and found an unfed cat with a full kitty litter box. Foley had not been seen for at least a week.

Foley reportedly "does not do the top or out-of-bounds" skiing, he stays on groomed trails, and is not a tree skier. There are no clothing descriptions, no ski/boot descriptions. SAR personnel continue to search the Mammoth Mountain area after their initial sweep of the backside (Visalia Bowl to Turkey Gulch), and they were searching in the treed areas in-bounds. Mammoth Mountain security checked for the lifts Foley might have accessed in the last two years.

Foley is described as a male, five-foot, ten-inches in height, and weighing about 144 pounds. -CAR

Additional information was reported in the February 26, Mammoth Times:

If Chris Foley, 63, had a partner with him on January 6, Foley might have lived to tell about his skiing adventure this year. But, Foley skied alone that day, and when Mono County's SAR team finally found Foley, on February 1 (after nearly two weeks of searching), all that was left were his skis, poles, ski pass, some parts of his clothing, and his ski boots.

Not known to be a daredevil, but known to ski alone, Foley turned up at the bottom of the backside of Mammoth Mountain, near Pumice Flats campground. He had failed to pick up his car, and after weeks his disappearance was noted. The police were notified, and an investigation began as to his whereabouts. With no immediate family nearby, his disappearance was a mystery.

The last scan on his ski pass was January 6, from Chair 1, at about 12:30 p.m. That was the last time anyone knew where Foley was, alive.

SAR searched the ski area, but it was a very cold trail, and not a trace of Foley was found for another two weeks. What led Foley, considered a "conservative" skier, to head off course and end up thousands of feet below the ski area is unknown. He was disoriented and didn't realize how far he really was from the ski area. After that his demise is purely speculation.

Maybe he fell and died of hypothermia. Or maybe he lived with an injury for a few days before falling into a four-foot-deep ditch, and dying. Foley's death and identification remain "circumstantial," undetermined at this time.

February

February 2 thru 6, 2004 - OES Winter Search Management Training at Mammoth This joint training hosted by the Mono County Sheriff and Mono County Sheriff's SAR Team covered a wide range of subjects. Click Here For Pictures

February 2 & 3, 2004. 04-02R. On the evening of February 2, a snowcat driver, Gary Milender of Bishop, 56, became disoriented during a winter storm while returning to Barcroft Lab after transporting two people (Ken Solis and Eduardo Rivas, both of Palmdale) to the communications station on Silver Peak.

The team responded in unified command with Inyo SAR early in the morning of February 3.

Mono sent a snowmobile team to travel the cat driver's intended exit route and intercept his track.

Inyo sent a snowcat as backup and to provide medical assistence if needed. Inyo also provided a fixed wing to fly the search area.

At dawn, the storm largely lifted, and the cat driver began to make his way back to Barcroft, and the Mono teams were sent to Silver Peak to transport Solis and Rivas from Silver Peak to the roadhead. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski, Enright; Inyo SAR (Nixon/Hardcastle, ops).

Click here for pictures by Dave Michalski.

February 4, 2004. 04-03R. Jay Tannenhaus from Seattle made two runs outside the ski area boundary in the Hemlock Ridge area, going lower on the second run. At 1430 he notified the RP (Alan DeSalvatore) by FRS radio that he was down in the Pumice Flats area and would try to hike out. At 2050 the RP reported the subject still missing.

A MMSA snowcat broke the road and cleared the area to pumice Flats. The driver saw and followed tracks to the missing subject at Pumice Flats cabins. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops). Greene, Zahn, Enright, Walker, Michalski, Holmquist, & Weber.

February 11 - 13, 2004. 04-04R. Eric Lemarque from North Hills, CA was reported overdue by his father when he failed to return home from a ski trip to Mammoth. The SAR team was notified at 1300 on February 11 and began investigation.

Queries by MLPD and SAR members of family and friends indicate the most probably location was the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. His lift pass was last scanned on 2/6/04 on chair 16 at 1342.

Snowmobiles were sent to Reds Meadow to look for track. On 2/12 CHP helicopter searched area of Dragons Back, Mammoth backside, and San Joaquin River drainage. Dog teams searched cliffs inbounds along Dragons Back. Ski Patrol searched mountain areas.

On 2/13, CHP helicopter, Army National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter, four WOOF dog teams, Inyo SAR and Mono SAR teams and Ski Patrol began a large scale search operation. Ski Patrol found a fire pit and snowboard boot tracks 1.5 miles east of Rainbow Falls at 1115.

Searchers and helicopters followed tracks heading south down the river drainage. The subject was located by the Blackhawk at 37-33.5, 119-04.22 at 1423. The subject was hoisted aboard and transported to a LZ at the driving range.

Medics transported to Mammoth Hospital where he was treated for dehydration, hypothermia, and severe frostbite, later being transferred to Grossman Burn Center in Southern California. He survived 7 nights.

This rescue has been reported extensively in the national news on radio and TV, with several personal interviews, e.g. with Charlie Gibson on Good Morning America. Mr. Lemarque has had both feet amputated, with further surgery anticipated prior to fitting with prostheses. He expects to be back to snowboarding in the future.

Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Michalski, Riggs, Walker, Schmidt, Hronesh, Knoche, Rousek, & McClintock from MONO SAR. Freeman, Flores, B. McCauley & L. Macaulay from WOOF. Winkler, Bronson, Zrelak, Bowie, Daniel, Brorson, and Pierce from INYO SAR.

Read newspaper accounts:

• Mammoth Times, February 19, 2004 - Missing Man Found After Seven Nights
• Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2004 - Man Safe After Week in Snow
• Associated Press, March 3, 2004 - Snowboarder Who Spent Days Lost in Sierra Loses Both Feet

January 2 - 4 2004. 04-05R. The Team responded to a Mutual Aid request to San Bernardino County to search for Charles Koh. Details were reported in the January Newsletter, but the mission number had not been assigned at that time. See information above in date sequence here.

February 12 & 13, 2004. 04-06R. Jennifer Shroeder, 23, and Garland Rhoades, 51, both of Big Pine, rode the main gondola at MMSA to the top of the mountain with plans to ski Hole-in-the Wall. At the top, at 1400, the two received directions to Hole-in-the Wall and arranged for their friends to meet them at Tamarack. Shroeder and Rhoades did not appear at Tamarack at 1600 as arranged. The RP, who was with the missing pair when the Hole-in-the Wall plans were made, reported the party overdue that night, and the team responded at 2200.

One team was sent along the Dragon's Back/Tail to Hole-in-the Wall while another diagonaled up from the Mammoth Pass area to the Dragon's Tail. A third team, on sleds, provided transport and did road searches in the Lakes Basin and down to Red's. Teams exited the field between 0700 and 0900. At this point, the Shroeder/Rhoades search was incorporated into the pre-planned, but now modified, Lemarque search. As the new field teams were assembling, the missing pair reached Tamarack.

Shroeder and Rhoades never headed towards the Dragon's Back, but instead apparently dropped straight down Fresno Bowl and into Red's Creek. After a cold bivy at approximately 9000', Shroeder and Rhoades climbed up to Mammoth Pass and followed tracks to Tamarack. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Drake, Schmidt, DeGeorge, Zahn, Matell, Michalski, and Huntsman.

February 28, 2004. 04-07R. Grace Oh from Los Angeles was reported overdue from skiing Hole in The Wall. When the Ops Leader arrived at Tamarack to interview the RP, the subject was in radio contact with friends. She was delayed due to unfamiliarity with the area, and was guided out by other skiers in the area. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, and Hronesh.

February 29, 2004. 04-08R. Saul Ackermann from Fullerton was reported overdue from snowboarding on Mammoth Mountain. During preliminary interview with the RP, the subject showed up at Pioneer Market. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Huntsman and Hronesh.

March

Dave Michalski is coordinating training for anyone interested in getting an amateur radio license. As you know, this can be a very valuable tool for the team. The team has purchased the Ham Radio training material, and Dave is putting together a class to watch the DVD's together, thus making it less painful. He would like to do this soon, so contact him if you have any interest.

Thanks to our SAR Coordinator Sgt. Robert Weber for some very informative training on crime scene protection at the February meeting.

Walt Matell provided the Team with Peppermint flagging, to avoid confusion with orange and yellow flagging used by other agencies. Is it really made from peppermint? Will the animals eat it? Will the Team members use it for breath mints? Thanks Walt, and also for the waterproof notebooks.

Dave Michalski is now in charge of coordinating the rescue vehicle readiness. But that doesn't mean he does all the snow clearing and other work. He needs help. Please contact him.

John Hronesh is heading up our annual recruitment. The recruitment open house will be Tuesday, March 23, 7 PM at the Community Center near the Library. Please come in your red shirt and welcome the prospective candidates.

Equipment Officer Dave Michalski has been busy. A new portable satellite phone has been received. We now have two of these, one yellow, one orange. The vehicle-type satellite phone has been moved to the Command trailer. We have 6 new NoMex flight suits - with leg zippers. We have 3 new solar chargers for Rescue 2, and 2 new MSR snowshoes.

Bill Greene reported that we have new running boards on the snowmobiles, and new helmet speakers.

Pointing the Way Home - New Signs Help Rescue Operations - Jeff Holmquist coordinated with MMSA, Forest Service, and Madera County to get some informative signs placed on the Reds Meadow road to help lost people get oriented and directed to a telephone. They have maps and clear directions on what to do, and were made by the MMSA sign shop. They are in place as of last week. Great idea, Jeff! See Mammoth Times story with pictures here.

We received donations from the Sunset Foundation (Don Slager) and Intrawest.

March 9, 2004. 04-09R. Jim Ouimet was reported overdue from a snowmobiling trip in the Bald Mt. area and was unprepared to spend the night out in winter conditions. The Team responded to Smokey Bear Flat and searched using Team snowmobiles, and others kindly provided by Don Little. Ouimet got his snowmobile stuck in the McLaughlin Springs area, and walked north to Highway 120, then to 395, where he was found by a MLPD unit. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, Walker, Wright, Hronesh, Matell, and Weber.

March 20, 2004. 04-10R. Harold Green from Norco, California became dehydrated while fishing at the Lower Owens River Gorge. When the Team arrived the subject had been re-hydrated by friends and was almost to the top of the gorge. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Rudolf, Michalski, Case, Zahn, and Enright.

March 21, 2004 - Basic Ice Axe/Crampon Training at a site along the Scenic Loop (look for Jeff & Jutta's truck or Rescue 3). This training is introductory and is targeted at folks who are new to ice axe and crampon use.. Bring your webbing and carabiners, plus your ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet if you have them.

April

A BIG welcome to the new Candidate Members who became a part of the Team at the April meeting. They are:

Jim Andelman, Barry Beck, Bryan Biller, Aryeh Brenner, Mike Cadicamo, Daniel Hansen, Anne Knocke, Isabel Ledesma, Stephanie Murdock, Courtney Rosen

April 3, 2004 - Basic Candidate Training at Fire Station #2.

April 20, 2004 - Tracking Training

April 23, 2004. 04-11R. Alex Viterbi from Solana Beach was stranded alone while snowmobiling in the Reds Meadows area. He was unable to get his snowmobile out of a hole caused by a snow covered stream. SAR members responded via snowmobile and helped the subject exhume his machine. He was not injured. Responders were: Greene (ops) and Holmquist.

April 30, 2004. 04-12R. Ted Mandryk, 42, of Ventura, California, was hiking alone up a snowfield on Dunderberg Peak near Virginia Lakes when he was struck by a rock slide.

The impact caused a broken leg and injuries to his head and a hand. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the rock slide that limited the severity of his injuries. Mandryk was able to call for help on his cell phone.

The Team, along with a Mono County paramedic, responded to the call. The SAR team climbed up the snowfield to his location, placed him in a litter and lowered him down the couloir using snow pickets as anchors.

Mandryk was then transported to Mammoth Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Hunstman, Zahn, Walker, Wright, Aguirre, and Matell.

Click here for extensive pictures by Joe Walker and Dave Michalski.

May

May 1, 2004 - Tracking Training

The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) organization has been nominated for the annual National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) “State Award” for 2004 by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Branch. The SAR team is being nominated and recognized for their proficient actions during the many complex searches and rescues conducted in Mono County in very extreme conditions as well as outstanding leadership on statewide SAR issues; their dedication goes above and beyond the call of duty. Despite the extreme complexity of search missions in Mono County, and the limited number of SAR volunteers, the team proficiently utilizes all of the resources available to them. These missions are often completed in the face of extreme environmental influences, elevations in excess of 12,000 feet; cold/windy conditions the year-round and the mere remoteness of the area. Their proficient efforts of these extremely complex missions successfully overcome high altitude searches and the lessons learned are valuable for other SAR teams within the state of California; they display the courage and skills to truly understand the importance of search and rescue.

May 13, 2004 - Tour of the Bridgeport Sheriff's Command Center - As part of the orientation for new candidates, the Sheriff provided a meal and a tour of the new Command Trailer and the Jail and Dispatch Center.

May 15, 2004 - Navigation and Compass Orienteering Training with Jim Gilbreath

May 15, 2004. 04-13R. Robert Aranaga, 45, from Eagle Rock, California injured his leg while trying to break firewood with his foot.

The injury occurred while he was backpacking with friends six miles west of Sonora Pass at Poore Lake.

An old mining road still exists in that area that allowed team members to transport Aranaga out of the backcountry by vehicle.

His leg was splinted and he was transported to waiting friends at Highway 108/395 junction.

Aranaga was taken by his friends to Mammoth Hospital where he was treated for a possible torn Achilles tendon. Responders were: Greene (ops), Michalski, C. Knoche, A. Knoche, Brenninkmeyer, Beck, Matell, Aguirre, and Holmquist.

May 21 & 22 2004. 04-14R. Steven Hansen from Bridgeport became separated from his friend Brian Reed while hiking in the Silverado Canyon area north of Bridgeport. They had intended to explore the area and abandoned mines in the canyon. After hiking a short way, Reed decided to wait in the vehicle while Hansen did further exploring. Hansen was to return after one hour, but after three hours he had failed to return. Reed drove to Bridgeport and notified the Sheriff’s department. The Team responded to the canyon area, and found Hansen, uninjured, walking out the dirt road leading to the canyon. He had become delayed in returning due to steep, icy terrain. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Enright, Michalski, Holmquist, Brenninkmeyer, Walker, Albaugh, Brenner, Rudolph, and Matell.

May 22, 2004 - Search Training

June

June 1, 2004 - Low Angle Rigging Training on the Tioga Pass Road. Walt Matell has provided these excellent pictures.

On June 2, Sgt. Weber was in Lansdowne, Virginia to accept the National Association for Search and Rescue 2004 State Award for our Team. The plaque reads (in part): For Proficient Actions During the Many and Complex Missions Conducted in Their County Under Very Extreme Conditions as Well as Outstanding Leadership on Statewide SAR Issues. The Dedication of This Team is Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Here are a few excerpts from the citation letter. (The complete text can be found here.)

...to the Mono County Sheriffs Department Search and Rescue Team for their proficient actions during the many complex searches and rescues conducted in their county in very extreme conditions as well as their outstanding leadership on statewide SAR issues. The dedication of the Mono County Sheriffs Department Search and Rescue Team is above and beyond the call of duty.

...This mission (Fred Claassen) continued for over a week with support from several out of County SAR Teams. Several all out efforts were made well into September to try and find some clue for the missing hiker. Even though the victim has never been found, the dedication and professionalism on Mono County's SAR Volunteers was never more outstanding.

Teams returning from this search were extremely complimentary about Mono County and the way the operation was handled. Many went away with operations skills that will improve their own response in the future.

...Mono County has been the mover and shaker when it comes to introducing legislation that will improve how the 58 Sheriffs in California operate when involved in "Search and Rescue". They have also been in the forefront in working with the United State Forest Service in improving relationships of how we can better operate in "Wilderness Areas".

Team President Jeff Holmquist has the following words for us:

"As most of you know by now, Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue was awarded a NASAR State Award at this year's NASAR conference. We were nominated by California OES, and Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue also received a state citation from the Governor's Office. Our team was one of only six national recipients of an ’04 NASAR award."

"You know, this is a good thing. I realize that we don't do this stuff for the sake of recognition, and as a group we generally just aren't all that interested in, or even comfortable with, awards and the like. Nevertheless, I'd really like the team to feel good about this. So, at the risk of being a cheerleader, I'm going to ramble on. There are several things that I like about this recognition. Most importantly, it's a team award. The nomination letter also recognizes several different aspects of our work."

"The letter emphasizes the team's long history of doing difficult work in a difficult environment and commends the unit for setting a standard for excellence in alpine SAR. The award pays tribute to the hundreds of people who have worked with the team over several decades. The letter also calls attention to several specific operations that were conducted in '03 and '04 and the resulting positive impressions that were left with other agencies that saw our unit at work. I believe that every single person who was on the team during this period contributed to at least one of the operations that were discussed, so everyone truly "owns" a piece of the award".

"The letter points out the efforts of our S.O. coordinators who make many contributions to statewide SAR planning. The nomination thus includes all of the volunteer and law enforcement personnel, past and present, who have made our Team a strong organization. You can't beat that for inclusiveness. Our team always works hard, and that was particularly the case over the last year as we responded to forty-some calls and put in a tremendous number of hours. We work when some other teams would not, and we do a good job. It's great to be recognized for that quantity and quality of effort. So, go ahead and pat yourself on the back. I promise not to tell anyone. And buy yourself a beer, a mocha, or an entire cheesecake while you're at it. Run around like a golden retriever for five minutes. You deserve it. I'm proud to be on this team. Jeff"

June 5, 2004. 04-15R. Hikers reported a man suffering from dehydration on the trail to Arrowhead Lake. The Team responded from the Coldwater trailhead, but was unable to locate anyone needing assistance. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, Michalski, Enright, C. Knoche, A. Knoche, Holmquist, Schmidt, and Brenninkmeyer.

June 8, 2004 - Rigging Ropes and Knots Training

More Rigging Ropes and Knots Pictures

June 9, 2004 - River Rescue Training with Devils Postpile National Park Rangers

June 12, 2004. 04-16R. Lucas Sokolsky from San Mateo was backpacking with members of his family when he slid down a snowfield at Iceberg Lake near the Minarets. He struck rocks at the bottom of his slide, which caused him to suffer major cuts to his head and face. His father hiked to Shadow Lake, where he was able to use a cell phone to call for help. The Team responded, along with a CHP helicopter from Auburn. Team members began hiking to Sokolsky with a wheeled litter and medical equipment in the event the helicopter might be unable to reach the victim before dark. Just after the sun set, the helo was able to locate Sokolsky's campsite and land next to it. He was immediately loaded and flown to Children's Hospital in Fresno for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, C. Knoche, A. Knoche, Holmquist, Schmidt, Wright, Long, Enright, Rudolph, and DeGeorge.

June 15, 2004 - High Angle Rigging Training

More High Angle Rigging Pictures

June 22 - 25, 2004. 04-17R. Maximilliano Ruelas Rivera from Minden, NV., a dock manager for the Crowley Lake Marina, was last seen working on the docks at about 1815. He was not a good swimmer, and evidence suggested he never left the dock area. The Dive Team was called out to search the water near the docks. Low visibility and limited dive time due to altitude increased the difficulty of the search work. On June 24 2 pilots and 5 divers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded by helicopter for mutual aid. The area was searched and plotted by sonar. On June 25 divers concentrated on likely targets and located the victim near the docks in about 30 feet of water. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Estridge, Aguirre, Nelson, plus 16 professional law enforcement personnel.

June 4, 2004. 04-18R. A strong squall developed in the area of Crowley Lake, resulting in a number of rental boaters beached on the eastern shore. Some were swamped by 3 foot wind driven waves. Sheriff's office personnel assisted many boaters in getting back to the marina but also requested SAR to send a few 4x4 vehicles to access some stranded boaters by dirt roads surrounding the lake. The squall was brief, and all boaters were ultimately able to return to the marina before the team arrived on scene. Responders were: DeGeorge (ops), Holmquist, Brenninkmeyer, Schmidt, and Michalski.

July

At the July Team meeting, Brian Brenninkmeyer became our newest Rescue Member. Good job in completing all the requirements, Brian.

On July 25, our Team President Jeff Holmquist was honored at the annual Mammoth Lakes Rotary Club as a volunteer of the year. He modestly tried to declare himself ineligible, but you Team members voted for him anyway. Congratulations, Jeff, we're very proud of you.

July 2-3, 2004. 04-19R. Daniel Ging, 15, of Wrightwood, left the Mammoth Inn area at 1930 for a short hike. He did not return. Base was established at Minaret Summit, and a team reporting to base spotted the subject walking along Route 203 at 0300 on 3 July. Ging was tired and cold, but in good condition. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski, C Knoche, A Knoche, Leyen, McClintock, Beck, and Matell.

July 3, 2004. 04-20R. A 2-year old was reported missing from Skelton Lake. He was reported found OK before the Team responded.

July 3, 2004. 04-21R. David Oveisi, 15, of Rancho Santa Margarita, collapsed with abdominal pain while at Gardisky Lake. He was carried down the trail by his family and was met enroute by two Yosemite National Park Rangers and later transferred to Mono County medics. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski, C Knoche, Matell, A Knoche, McClintock and Leyen.

July 3, 2004. 04-22R. Ben Webb, 31, became separated from his day hiking party in Buckeye Canyon but found his way to the trailhead at dusk. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Leyen, A Knoche, C Knoche, Matell, Beck, Schmidt, McClintock and Michalski.

July 3, 2004. 04-23R. Jacob Molton, 8, became lost while biking around Twin Lakes near Bridgeport. He found his way home at dark. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski, Matell, Beck, C Knoche, A Knoche, and Leyen.

July 13, 2004. 04-24R. Caryl Bergeron, 47, of Cheyenne, WY, injured her knee on the morning of 12 July while crossing a stream in Matterhorn Canyon. She and her husband hiked to Mule Pass that day, and on the morning of the 13th she asked another backpacking party go for help, although she intended to attempt further very slow travel toward Mono Village. The RP reached the trailhead at 1330, and the S.O. dispatched the team to Mono Village for a carryout. The team encountered Bergeron not far from the trailhead, provided medical assistance, and transported her to Mammoth Hospital for definitive care. Responders were: Hronesh (ops), Holmquist (ops), Beck, Matell, Michalski, Hansen, Schmidt, and Enright.

July 17, 2004. 04-25R. A Muir Trail backpacker was reported overdue for a re-supply at Devil's Postpile. He showed up OK a day late. Responder: Greene (Ops).

July 17, 2004. 04-26R. A man was reported having breathing difficulty while hiking back from Rainbow Falls to Reds Meadow. After the Team responded he was reported to be on a bus going up to Mammoth Mountain. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Beck, C Knoche, A Knoche, Hansen, Michalski, and Schmidt.

July 17, 2004. 04-27R. Keith Timothy, 78, of Camarillo, developed a superficial, but profuse post-surgical scalp bleed after being packed in to Walker Meadows, twelve miles south of Hwy 108. The pack station contacted the S.O., and the SAR team was dispatched at 1945. Care Flight extracted the victim at 2100, before the SAR team left the trailhead. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Beck, C Knoche, A Knoche, Hansen, Michalski, and Schmidt.

July 24, 2004. 04-28R. Cynthia McCormick from Wrightwood was thrown from her horse near the Emerald Lake trailhead, suffering back and pelvic pain. The Team evacuated her to the Medic 3 ambulance, who took her to Mammoth Hospital. She was later reported to have L1 and L2 fractures. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Zahn (Ops), Hronesh, Holmquist, Schmidt, A. Knoche, C. Knoche, , and 2 USFS personnel.

July 25 & 26, 2004. 04-29R. Ronald Peters and Barbara Cartwright from Walnut Creek became separated from a companion while hiking north on the River Trail from Shadow Lake to Clark Lakes. The RP hiked out to the Rush Creek trailhead when they did not show up at their planned campsite at Clark Lakes. The Team found the two overdue hikers as they were hiking out on the Rush Creek trail. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Schmidt, and Holmquist.

July 29, 2004. 04-30R. Gyorgyi Gyulassy from Pelham, NY., slipped on a rock while hiking in the Black Point area of Mono Lake. She was a leader of a Scout group for Hungarian speaking people that were preparing for a backpack trip in Yosemite. The Team evacuated her via wheeled litter. She was taken to Mammoth Hospital where she was diagnosed with fractures. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Mattel, Michalski, Beck, Leyen, C. Knoche, A. Knoche, and Enright.

August

August 3 & 4, 2004. 04-31R. Christopher Lovdahl from Los Angeles was on a hike in the Rainbow Falls area when he became separated from his group. He was expected to walk back to the trailhead and catch a bus to Sotcher Lake. His father reported him missing at 8 PM on 8/3/04. The Team searched trails leading away from Rainbow Falls, and a team searched the trail from Horseshoe Lake toward Reds Meadows. At approximately 0300 on 8/4/04 trail blocks were set up on the trail at Crater Creek, and two blocks in the Red Cones area.

At daylight, a team hiked south on the PCT to Duck Lake, while other teams maintained the trail blocks. Inyo County responded with four people to assist. CHP helicopter H40 inserted an Inyo team at Iva Bell Hot Springs to provide deep containment. A Mono County WOOF team searched the Falls and Devils Postpile areas.

At 1132 the subject was found by the trail block team near Crater Creek. He spent the night 3 to 5 miles south of the trail block, and began re-tracing his steps in the morning. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Enright, Brenninkmeyer, Matell, Hronesh, Beck, Huntsman, Burns, Rousek, Gilbreath, Albaugh, Hansen, A. Knoche, Michalski, Harrington (Inyo), Bowie (Inyo), Winkler (Inyo), and Zrelik (Inyo).

August 4, 2004. 04-32R. Don Saveressig from Atascadero developed bloody stools and fainting on 3 August while camping at Purple Lake. A passing physician examined him and advised that he not move and seek evacuation. One member of the party hiked to Lake Edison where they had started their trip and called for assistance.

Meanwhile SAR Team members active on 04-31R learned of the problem while interviewing hikers at the PCT/Duck Pass junction, and diverted to Purple Lake. CHP helo H40 was still in the area and was able to evacuate the victim at 1500. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Gilbreath, Albaugh, Holmquist, Brenninkmeyer, Rousek, Hronesh, Matell, Hansen, A. Knoche, Beck, and Michalski.

August 9 & 10, 2004. 04-33R. A hiker from Los Gatos was reported missing near Mt. Ritter by his hiking partner, from Minnesota. They had become separated on Sunday while scouting a route for a Monday ascent of Mt. Ritter. When the subject had not returned to their camp by Sunday morning, the RP hiked out for help.

Search efforts began at 1130 Monday with trail block and field interviews on the trail to Shadow Lake. Team 1 hiked in and found their camp. Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter 863 spotted an object on a glacier, and dropped off Team 2 below the glacier.

Using ice axes and crampons, Team 2 climbed to the location and confirmed that the object spotted from the air was indeed the deceased victim. He had apparently fallen while traversing the glacier, and sustained severe head and body trauma.

Teams 1 and 2 spent the evening lowering the victim off the glacier using ice axe anchors, and down to the landing zone where Team 2 had been inserted.

Monday morning the victim and teams were picked up by the same helicopter and taken to Minaret Vista. Sgt. Chuck Bump from Madera County SAR took custody of the body. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Enright (Ops), Gilbreath (Ops), Schmidt, McClintock, Michalski, C. Knoche, A. Knoche, DeGeorge, Beck, Hansen, and Hronesh.

Click Here For Pictures By Dave Michalski

Click Here for Narrative and Pictures by the victims hiking partner

August 10, 2004. 04-34R. 8 year old Luke Culhane was reported missing and last seen at the steps above Rainbow Falls. The Team responded for a search. Before the Team arrived at Reds Meadows Luke was reported found in Fish Creek. Responders were: Gilbreath (Ops), Enright, Albaugh, McClintock, Burns, Holmquist, Schmidt, Rudolph, Matell, A. Knoche, C. Knoche, and DeGeorge.

August 11, 2004. 04-35R. On 10 Aug 04, Rich Bayless, 57, of Portland Oregon, led a group of five climbers (ages 48-51) from the Mazama mountaineering club on a one-day ascent of Mt. Ritter. They had not returned to their base camp by 0930 on the next day, and the two non-climbing members of their party hiked out for help.

Mono County SAR sent a hasty team to the climbers' base camp and discovered the party there and in good shape after an unexpected bivy on the mountain due to slow progress. The team also encountered John Dickinson at his camp, packing up his gear left behind from the Otto Loenneker search. He planned to be out August 12, and did not desire assistance. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, C. Knoche, and Michalski.

August 15, 2004. 04-36R. A family doing the Duck Pass to Deer Lakes loop hike ran out of daylight and flashlight batteries at a high point on the Mammoth Crest trail. The Team responded, and walked them out. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Walker, and Holmquist.

August 19-21, 2004. 04-37R. Michael Virga, 56, of Bakersfield, left Yosemite Valley on 12 Aug for a backpacking trip along the John Muir Trail to Mt. Whitney. She planned to call her husband from Tuolumne on the 15th, but no word was received. Virga was reported missing on 19 Aug, and Mono County Sherrif Search and Rescue responded in unified command with Yosemite National Park that afternoon.

Inyo County contributed SAR personnel in mutual aid starting on the morning of the 20th. On the evening of the 20th, an Inyo field team interviewed a passing backpacking party that had seen the subject in Little Yosemite Valley on the 17th, apparently lost. Yosemite National Park personnel were notified, and the subject was located quickly at the point last seen.

Virga was flown to Yosemite Valley on the morning of the 21st and was found to be in good condition. Responders: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Greene, Michalski, Beck, Leyen, McClintock, Gilbreath, Inyo SAR: Bowie, Winkler, Riggs, Rittenhouse, Hobbs, German.

August 21, 2004. 04-38R. John VanFossen, 54, and Desiree VanFossen, 42, both of Ridgecrest, were caught by a snow and rain storm near the peak of White Mountain. The couple had only light hiking clothes and were wet and very chilled and thought that they might soon lose their way in the approaching darkness. The VanFossens called for assistance by cell phone.

Mono County Sheriff SAR advised the couple to keep moving slowly down the trail/road to the Barcroft Lab (White Mountain Research Station) in an effort to stay warm and eventually reach shelter.

Meanwhile a SAR team unit was en route to their location in a 4WD with the intention of extracting the party.

The VanFossens reached the Barcroft Lab before the arrival of the team, and White Mountain Research Station personnel provided the couple with blankets, warm drinks, and transport to their vehicle at the trailhead. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt.

August 30, 2004. 04-39R. Todd Minner from Elk Grove, CA. was backpacking with friends at Gem Lake. His group left their camp to return to the trailhead and noticed that Minner was slow with shortness of breath. They notified the Sheriff’s Office when they got to the trailhead that Minner was alone hiking out.

The SAR team responded to the Rush Creek trailhead and sent teams in with oxygen, medical gear, and litter. Minner was located between Agnew and Gem Lakes dam.

He was assisted to the Agnew dam and taken by the Edison trolley to the Rush Creek power plant. SAR members transported him to Mammoth Hospital where he was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Michalski, Schmidt, Hronesh, C. Knocke, A. Knocke, Walker, and Matell.

September

Sgt. Weber announced that a 3/4 ton long bed truck will become available to the Team, to be based in Bridgeport.

Due to several retirements, there will be a number of changes around the end of the year in the Sheriff’s Department organization. Tim Minder will become our SAR coordinator.

Since the August meeting, CFO Jutta Schmidt reports that we have gratefully received the following donations:

Mammoth Mountain, $4,000
Diversified Mortgage, $500
Gyorgyi Gyulassy(04-30R), $200
Chris Lovdahl (04-31R), $200
United Way (Bank of America), $710
Union Bank of CA Employee Campaign, $100
High Sierra Fall Century, $200

Sometimes we get a lot of letters, full of gratitude and admiration for what we do for our victims. Here are a few to remind us of why we do what we do.

From: Gyorgyi Gyulassy. Dear Jeff, Thank you for inquiring about me. I actually got back only a week ago, and only hooked up my computer yesterday, so I just got your message. I hope by this time Search and Rescue got my little card of gratitude with the little donation. My leg is healing wonderfully thanks to all your help and to Dr. Perry's precise tool-working abilities! I have a whole hardware store worth of goodies installed in my right leg! By this time the first cast is off, and I now have a walking boot, which is absolutely exciting. I can actually walk! There is such an interconnectedness of coincidences! I believe this was quite a harmless way (except for having taken so much of your time!) of altering other plans our family had, that we probably were not ready for physically... the three week JMT hiking. Our children went through with the trip by themselves, and in spite of the stormy, cold weather, they succeeded with a few scars and bruises... and came out exuberant and elated. The scout group that was with me at the time managed wonderfully without me; my son took them up to Cathedral peaks the next day...that, and our hike up to Black Point was the highlight of their trip...so I'm told! Thus ends a wonderful adventure for all in my little group....and for me, having experienced being without the use of a leg, it has added that much more to my perception of all that we take for granted...(experiences are always enriching..."good or bad")...and it has allowed me to get to know you, and your enthusiastic group of volunteers, who take it upon themselves to share our misfortunes and help us in such extreme situations. Thank you again, and my invitation to stay in NY still stands for all of you. Have a wonderful year and hope to return in some small way the great favor you all did for me, with warm thoughts, Gyorgyi Gyulassy

Thank you so much for evacuating my mom off Black Point! Her ankle is healing fast, she can’t wait to start hiking again. After the injury, the rest of the family completed the JMT, and now we’re back in the real world (Davis for me). Thanks again, and good luck on your rescues. Laszlo Gyulassy.

I am writing to thank the SAR team for their assistance in getting my snowmobile out of a tree well near Sonora Pass on December 19, 2003. After unsuccessfully trying to dig out for several hours, and nightfall approaching, I was not looking forward to spending a night out in the cold. I was glad to see the headlights of the approaching SAR snowmobiles, and for the SAR team's assistance in getting me on my way. I had hoped to buy the SAR team dinner in Bridgeport that evening, but by the time we got there all the restaurants were closed. In lieu of dinner I am enclosing a contribution of $100. Thanks again for the help!
Joe Petkowski

Dear TEAM; It is with great respect and admiration for you all that I enthusiastically exclaim, "well done!!!" Congratulations on your NASAR State Award. This is a long overdue recognition of your Team professionalism, sacrifice, and leadership in the field of alpine SAR. You have continued through the years in maintaining high and excellent standards. Good Job!

And now that you have been recognized, leave the laurels and appropriate accolades behind; remember you work for the victim and their family; throw your ready pack on your back; and keep asking yourselves how you can do it better with every operation. You're all simply the best! Sincerely, Russ Veenker, Life Member

Dear Mr. Greene: I just wanted to say how deeply appreciative I am of all the effort you and everybody else involved in my search and rescue put in to find me. Words cannot express how I felt when I learned that people I had never even met were willing to drop everything and put their lives on the line in order to save mine. I can’t thank you enough for everything you did to find me. I have to say, I kept thinking and dreaming throughout the night I was stranded in Fox Meadow of the different scenarios and dangers I might face. The following morning, as I was hiking back, I never saw a more welcome sight than the red shirts of Jutta and Barry. Without prayer and the brave search and rescue team, I hate to think what would have happened. Once again, thanks for everything, and God bless you all. Sincerely and gratefully, Christopher Lovdahl.
P.S. Thank you for the donuts.

Bill - Thank you for all of your selfless effort and that of your team in bringing our son safely back to us. We cannot thank you all enough. Enclosed is a small check to help the cause. I wish we could send much more. Thanks again, and may God bless you all in your life saving work. Chris Lovdahl, Sr.

Dear SAR team – especially Bill, Jutta, and Barry, thank you all so much for your altruistic effort in rescuing our son Chris on August 4th. We are so humbled by your commitment and dedication in helping people who you have never met before. We realize that all of you – the helicopter pilot, ground teams, Sandy (with the dog) and others – put aside their comfort and willingly put their lives in possible jeopardy to help our son. For that compassion we will always be grateful. The Lovdahls, Pat, Chris, Chris Jr., Jean.

I thought I would let you know that Larry Sedillo and I are going back into the Minarets to finish the hike we never finished two years ago. You may remember that in early June of 2002 Larry took the wrong trail and was missing for about 24 hours while you searched for him and then he managed to walk out looking for me and the rest of my party. Well, anyway we are going back. We’ll try not to bother you this time. Thanks for everything you did searching for Larry and I hope all of you are well, safe, and happy. Sincerely, John Grisafe.

September 4 & 5, 2004. 04-40R. Robert Hampton, 50, Melanie Ames, 18, and JR Krueger, 21, all of Orange County, left Walker on the afternoon of the 4th for a brief quad ride in the Walker area. The party did not return, and friends began searching the area. The SAR team was called late on the night of the 4th. Teams in FWD vehicles searched roads and jeep trails in the Sweetwater range and encountered the party on the morning of the 5th. The group had become disoriented and also had mechanical problems. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Greene, Michalski, Walker, Aguirre, A. Knoche, Rudolph, Beck, C Knoche, Enright.

September 8, 2004 - ELT Training after team meeting.

September 11, 2004 - Lost Aircraft Training and exercise using our ELT receivers at Mammoth Airport.

September 13, 2004. 04-41R Suzanne Baker, 59, of Reno, was descending from a climb of Dunderberg Peak with Steve Irwin, 64, and her son Todd Baker, 29, when she became exhausted from effort, dehydration, and lack of food. Her son hiked out to request help with the understanding that his mother and Irwin would wait for assistance, and the SAR team was dispatched. However, the party slowly hiked out and reached the trailhead before the SAR team arrived. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Schmidt, Michalski

September 14, 2004. 04-42R. Some hikers came upon an elderly couple that was hiking towards Rock Creek from Hilton Lakes. They thought they were hiking very slowly and would not make it out by dark (only about a mile or so from Rock Creek). The couple did not have gear to spend the night out (there was about two hours of light left). The hikers told the campground host at Rock Creek Lake. He called the SO. Jeff agreed to walk in to see if he ran across the couple. He went all the way to the Hilton Lakes turnoff without seeing them. They most likely were out before we got the call. Responders were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, and Schmidt.

September 19, 2004. 04-43R. Jason Looney from Moreno Valley injured his ankle during a deer hunt while descending a steep ridge above McGee Creek. Other hunters nearby, local residents Paul and Troy Rowan, were in the vicinity and noticed that Looney and his father were having trouble. They stayed with the injured hunter until the SAR team arrived.

The Team splinted Looney’s ankle and carried him out in a litter to the McGee Creek road where Mono County paramedics were waiting. Looney was transported by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital where he was evaluated and treated for his injury. Responders were: Greene (ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, DeGeorge, Leyen, Rudolph, Anne Knocke, Craig Knocke, and Michalski.

October

The annual Sheriff’s barbecue picnic for the Team was held Saturday October 2 at Mono Lake County Park. The food was great and plentiful, and it was a good time with friends. We did a little cleanup at Rick Mosher’s grave at the cemetery a mile east of the park.

October 18 to 20, 2004. 04-44R. John Gregg and Eugene Powell from Hollister and Campbell, CA, became stranded by a large snow storm while on a week-long backpacking trip south of Leavitt Lake. Two members of the party hiked out to report that the two subjects were unable to continue to their vehicle at Leavitt Lake due to deep snow.

Three Team members and one of the RPs were inserted from highway 108 to Leavitt Lake by Marine Corps BV tracked vehicle. They hiked over the pass to the victims' location at 9000 feet on Kennedy Creek.

Due to the prediction of heavy snow the next day, the team and subjects began to hike down toward Kennedy Lake to a lower elevation. Because of one of the subject's diabetes, and the difficult travel at night in the snow, they were only able to travel 4 miles in 9 hours. They camped at UTM 265832 4239285 about 1.5 miles below Kennedy Lake at 7800 feet the morning of 10/19.

Additional resources were requested, and Marine personnel and Tuolumne County SAR hiked in, arriving late 10/19 night. In the morning subjects and rescue personnel hiked out 6-1/2 miles to the Kennedy Meadows trailhead. Subjects and Mono SAR personnel were transported over Sonora Pass to the Marine base via BV tracked vehicle. Their vehicles may be under the snow until spring. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Michalski, Beck, Brenner, Turner, and Minder.

October 18 & 19, 2004. 04-45R. Mike Burdett from Mammoth Lakes left October 18 0430 to deer hunt in Zone D7. Interviews indicated the subject may be in the Fern Lake/Granite Staircase area. A team hiked in the night of 10/18 and located the subject under a rock overhang. The Team hiked out with him to the Rainbow Falls trailhead where they were transported by MMSA snowcat to Ski Patrol. He was released to family members. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Brenner, Matell, C. Knoche, and Riggs.

October 21, 2004. 04-46R. Doug Jastrab from Mammoth Lakes left on a backpacking trip on October 14 via Duck Pass, intending to exit on October 20 at Reds Meadow resort. A Forest Service co-worker reported him overdue. FS helicopter 525 was requested to fly his route, beginning at Iva Bell Hot Springs. The subject was located there. He was transported to Mammoth airport and released to the RP. Responder was Greene (Ops).

October 29. 2004. A party of snowmobilers had someone fall off the back of a sled, got themselves a bit lost and stuck in the Inyo Craters area, and eventually self-rescued. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, and Michalski.

November

Sgt. Tim Minder will be the new SAR Coordinator starting 31 December, with Robert Weber continuing his SAR involvement in an administrative capacity as Lieutenant.

Since the October meeting, CFO Jutta Schmidt reports that we have gratefully received the following donations: $200 from Myers Physical Therapy, $439 from Sno-Fest, $500, $250, and $200 from rescued victims and friends.

Rescue victim Eugene Powell sent us a box of FireGrows that he invented to help start fires for barbecues or campfires. Please do not inhale.

Total income from the firewood auction amounted to $135. Anne Knoche auctioned and distributed the firewood with assistance from Dori, Jutta, Barry, Dave, Jeff, and Jim W. Jim's trailer was a big help.Thanks also to Don Deck for the web site advertising.

We spend a lot of our donation money on equipment to let us do our job better, faster, and more safely. The latest news in that area is that after research by Pete and Bill, two new Polaris 800 RMK snowmobiles have been ordered. A trailer will be available from the SO next month.

Sgt. Weber is negotiating a new MOU with Madera County. You might have noticed that a lot of our operations are actually in Madera County. That's a real benefit for the victims, since it would take the Madera team a lot of hours just to get over here, especially in winter.

Sometimes we get a lot of letters, full of gratitude and admiration for what we do for our victims. Here are a few to remind us of why we do what we do.

From Doug Jastrab: Thanks for your assistance the other day. I really wasn't prepard to walk out of Iva Belle Hot Springs in 3 feet of snow. I know you had better things to do that day than arrange for my transportation. Please accept this donation and again, thanks for the help.

From Eugene Powell: …(press reports) say "we came out on snowmobiles" and they call us "two elderly". I'll hike their rear-ends off any day on El Toro………I do all the trail work and maintenance. Everyone is doing fine, thanks to the quick response of your group. I am grateful you didn't ask me to ride out on the stretcher. It would have been real rough on the carriers. I'll always think we just ran out of gas. Vic's Towing got my pickup out. I think they are still trying to decide on John's SUV.

November 14, 2004. 04-47R. John Zarra from New Jersey was snowboarding with friends and went out of bounds on Hemlock Ridge. The Team was called out when he failed to return to the ski area after closing. MMSA patrollers rode snowmobiles along the boundary of the ski area and down to Reds Meadow looking for the subject prior to SAR arrival.

Cell phone contact with the subject established that he had heard the snowmobiles at some point, and the snowmobile riders were directed to retrace their route, shouting for the subject. Voice contact was established in the Reds Lake drainage/Hemlock Ridge area. Ski patrollers hiked to the subject and accompanied him back to base. He was released to his chaperone uninjured.. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Michalski, Schmidt, Hronesh, C. Knocke, A. Knocke, Walker, Zahn, DeGeorge, Rudolph, Albaugh, Hansen, Beck, and Matell.

November 20, 2004 - Lake Ice Rescue Training with Pete DeGeorge.

November 30, 2004. 04-48R. Stefan Segall and Gregg Thompson from Los Angeles became lost when they skied out of bounds on the south side of Mammoth Mountain. They were unable to find their way back, and called for help on a cell phone. Mammoth Mountain ski patrol began searching for them prior to the Team’s arrival, and established voice contact near Sotcher Lake. The patrollers were able to reach the victims, and escorted them to snowmobiles for extraction to Main Lodge. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Hronesh, Anne Knoche, Walker, Holmquist, DeGeorge, Hansen, and Matell.

December

Our annual holiday and awards dinner was held at the Double Eagle in June Lake on Tuesday December 14.

Each year the all-volunteer Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service. The team's main honor for achievement is the Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year award. The award is named in memory of a beloved teammate who was killed in an ice climbing accident in 1996.

Dave Michalski is this year's Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year award recipient. Michalski serves the team as a board member and as Equipment Officer, and has participated in over 70 team events this year, including 35 rescue operations. He has already served on 53 operations, although he has been on the team for less than two years. His service as Equipment Officer has been exemplary, and the board increased the duties required of this position this year. Michalski responded by shouldering not only the Equipment Officer's duties, but also the additional workload as well.

Michalski has a positive attitude, according to the SAR personnel, and is definitely a "team player." He does a great job with both board and field assignments, and does it all with a smile. Michalski has become an indispensable member of the team.

New members in training are called "Candidate Members," and must undergo training, practice and testing in 18 skill categories before being considered for advancement to Rescue Member. Some examples of these skills include first aid and victim care, tracking, technical rescue, mountain navigation, helicopter operations, and skill with electronic aids (such as radios and GPS receivers). The completion of all of the requirements demands a lot of dedication and faithfulness over a period that typically is a year of more in length.

The team honors one candidate each year with the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year award. Rick Mosher is the only team member to have died in the line of duty and was killed while on spotter duty in a small airplane, which crashed during an operation in 1979.

This year the team selected Barry Beck as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Beck has been very active and faithful in both his training and in rescue operations, and has recently advanced to Rescue Member status in an unusually short period of time. He has participated in more than 40 team events and rescues, since he began his training in April. He was also just elected to the team's board. Beck has been part of every team operation, including some of our most challenging rescues.

Gary Guenther was honored with a 20-year service award, and he has been a valuable part of the team (almost since its inception). Guenther is one of the main resources in training for winter operations and avalanche awareness. He has witnessed it all, and the SAR team hopes that he'll continue to be an important part of the team for another 20 years.

The SAR personnel wish to congratulate all three members.

A plaque was presented to Mammoth Mountain for their financial donations and for the availability and support from the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol and other personnel and resources during search and rescue operations.

This past June the Team was awarded the National Association of Search and Rescue California State Award.

The Mono County Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution in recognition of this award and the service provided to Mono County residents and visitors by the team.

President Jeff Holmquist passed out awards to these members for their special talents.

Barry Beck did a great job of producing the video of the Team’s 2004 highlights. It took many many hours to put that together. DVDs are available.

Friends of Otto Loennekker, Shahid Iqbal and Faramarz Maghsoodlou, gave us $135 in memory of Otto, who died on Mt. Ritter last August.

Since the December meeting, CFO Jutta Schmidt reports that we have gratefully received the following donations: Richard Levak - $1,000, Michael Sokolsky & Susan Blockstein - $1,000, Terry Lee - $500, John Grisafe - $100, Don Saueressig - $100, Edison Employee Contributions Campaign - $61.20 and from the Union Bank of CA Employee Workplace Campaign. $100.02.

Sometimes we get a LOT of letters, full of gratitude and admiration for what we do for our victims. Here is one to remind us of why we do what we do.

From Richard Levak (rescued April 2000): I think of you often and can’t believe how hard you worked to save me. I will always be grateful to you. I hope this (donation) helps for something you need. With Gratitude, Richard Levak.

December 11 & 12, 2004. 04-49R. Paul Glenn from San Diego was reported missing by a travel companion, Ryan Gebman. He was last seen at chair 2 on Mammoth Mtn. At 0930. They had agreed to meet at 4 PM at the same location. He did not arrive nor did he check into their hotel room.

The Team was called to search outside the ski area. Snowmobiles checked the San Joaquin drainage to Reds Meadows. Ski teams checked out of bounds on the west and south areas. No track was found. The search was suspended at 0530 due to searcher fatigue. As search efforts were resuming at 0815 Mr. Glenn contacted the RP. He had spent the night in town. Responders were: Enright (Ops), Anne Knoche, Beck, Brenner, Hansen, Walker, Holmquist, Schmidt, Greene, Hronesh, and McClintock.

December 20, 2004. 04-50R. Robert Kirsten and his son became stranded while snowmobiling in deep snow near the Crater Flats play area. Prior to the Teams being inserted, they were able to self-rescue. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, and Michalski.