Highlights of The Year 2008

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

Greg Enright passed his General Contractor exams. Now he are one.

We now have 4 new Iridium satellite phones, replacing the Globalstar models that have problems due to satellite aging.

John Nielsen donated a base station radio to the Team that is now installed in the tent, with a new antenna. Thanks to Bill Greene for getting that done.

Thanks to Walt Aviles and Novint, Inc. for donating a Dell computer to the Team.

January 27, 2008. 08-066 #1. Michael Adam Korner, 39, and Ted Unrot, 39, from Canoga Park, CA. were snowmobiling on the B trail from Shady Rest when they got separated in the late afternoon. Mr. Unrot returned to Shady Rest to meet Deputy DeGeorge. The Team responded with two snowmobiles and began a search from the Scenic Loop near the B and K trails.

The Team found Mr. Korner uninjured walking on the Scenic Loop Road toward Hwy 395. He was returned to Shady Rest in the deputy's patrol unit. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Greene, and Michalski.

January 28, 2008. 08-071 #2. Daniel Trudeau and Lee Szromba from Granada Hills and Saugus, California intended a one-day over-night showshoe trip to Red's Meadows, leaving from Tamarack Lodge. While returning, they became disoriented in blizzard conditions while transiting Mammoth Pass. They returned to Red's Meadows, with their tent being shredded by high winds, and all their gear getting wet.

They called for help from the Red's Meadows pay phone, since they were unable to break trail through the deep snow over the pass by themselves. The Team responded with two members skiing down from Mammoth Mountain to meet the subjects at the Red's Meadows campground where they had sought shelter in the hot springs. They were escorted over Mammoth Pass the following morning where they were met by another team of two and guided to Tamarack Lodge. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Holmquist, Pavlovsky, Anne Knoche, Carole Schilz, Craig Knoche, and Michalski.

February

Congratulations to long time member Pete DeGeorge, who was recently promoted to Sergeant. His callsign is 8S4.

Daniel Hansen is attending a law enforcement academy in southern California until July, and will be doing his CFO work remotely, with help from Jutta and Jenn. He will be here on some weekends and breaks.

We have new UHF extender handheld radios for Rescue 1 and Rescue 3 that allow the vehicle radios to be remotely controlled. This was used most recently from the Lee Vining Fire Station during the ELT search, and it worked very well.

February 1, 2008. 08-080 #3. The Team responded to Smokey Bear Flats to assist Mono County medics with an injured snowmobiler. The injured snowmobiler had a suspected broken leg. The SAR Team's transport toboggan was taken in by DJ's Snowmobile and the victim was transported back to Smokey Bear Flats where he was later taken to Mammoth Hospital by the Mono County medics. The team was on standby at the scene in case further assistance was needed. Responders were: Michalski (OPS), Greene, Pavlovsky, Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Chapman, Zila, Corning, and Lemon.

February 3, 2008. No number. Greg Enright was taking an after work ski jaunt from Tamarack when he encountered a woman about 5 PM near Horseshoe Lake who was disoriented and heading in the wrong direction. He escorted her down, probably saving us a callout, and possibly serious trouble for her. This is worth one ATTABOY for Greg.

February 2-4, 2008. 08-089 #4. Mutual aid to Placer County. Patrick Frost and Christopher Gerwig, both of San Francisco, got lost on Saturday Feb. 2 on their first ski run in a whiteout at Alpine Meadows in Placer County. Initial searching by Placer County teams was limited due to storm conditions, and assistance from Mono County Sheriff SAR was requested late in the day on Sunday.

A Mono County SAR team arrived at the resort at 8 am on Monday morning and was sent into the field along with three other ski teams. The Placer County helicopter was assigned to search a likely drainage along Five Lakes Creek and located the missing pair near Hell Hole Reservoir, seven miles from the ski area. Frost and Gerwig had minor frostbite damage to their toes but were otherwise healthy after two days and nights in the backcountry. Responders were: Holmquist and Corning.

February 4, 2008. 08-086 #5. Jay T******r, 53, of Sorrento, Tamara Zeier, 35, William Zeier, 44, and Russell Flinkman, 43, Santa Monica, became disoriented near the Dragon's Back of Mammoth Mountain and found themselves near top of the Hole-in-the-Wall late in the afternoon. The group called down to Tamarack Lodge for help, and Lodge personnel in turn called both Ski Patrol and 911.

Two patrollers found the group's tracks and skied to assist them. Meanwhile, Tamarack had a snowcat ready for transport if needed, and SAR had snowmobiles standing by. The group was able to descend the Hole-in-the-Wall safely to Tamarack Lodge. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Michalski, Carole Schilz, Pavlovsky, Craig Knoche, and Corning.

February 14, 2008. 08-122 #6. The Team responded in the early morning to Lee Vining to investigate an ELT satellite hit and potential downed aircraft. Teams were dispatched east along Hwy 167 and Hwy 120 to check for the ELT signal. After receiving no signals from multiple sites and no additional satellite hits, it was determined that was a false alarm. Responders were: Michalski (OPS), Holmquist, Schmidt, Beck, Walker, Weatherly, Greene, Pavlovsky, Gilbreath, Anne Knoche, Craig Knoche, Carole Schilz, Case, and DeGeorge.

March - April - May

There were no operations in March, April and May.

June

June 10-11, 2008. 08-438, #7. On Sunday, 8 June, a visitor in Yosemite National Park, Esmin Garmendia, 22, of Fresno, disappeared from the parking lot at Washburn Point, near Glacier Point. The rest of Garmendia's party had walked to an overlook for a few minutes, and when the group returned, Garmendia was gone. He was described as despondent, and he had no plans to hike.

Yosemite began a search, and mutual aid was called for the morning of the 10th. Mono County Sheriff SAR responded along with teams from Tuolumne, Santa Clara, Fresno, Marin, and other counties. Mono County efforts centered on terrain around Illilouette Creek and Illilouette Ridge.

On the afternoon of the 11th, Garmendia was spotted by Helicopter 551, prone near Mt. Starr King. When a ground crew landed nearby and approached the subject, Garmendia rose to his feet and proved to be in good physical condition. Garmendia had apparently walked away seeking a spiritual experience. He was flown out for interviewing and further evaluation. Responders were: Holmquist and Beck.

June 10, 2008. 08-441, # 8. Henry Baker II (59), Henry Baker III (19), and Jade Simmons (18) from the Shaver Lake, California area intended to hike in one day across the Sierra from Lake Edison in Fresno County to Mosquito Flat via the Mono Creek trail and Mono Pass. Hiking was slow due to downed trees across the trail, snow, and stream crossings, and further complicated by the loss of a boot in a stream crossing. They were forced to spend the night at 10,000 feet elevation without benefit of camping gear or warm clothing.

After being reported as overdue, the Team responded to Rock Creek and began a search. The subjects were found near the top of Mono Pass at 11,900 feet elevation, and escorted to the Mosquito Flat trailhead. Responders were: Michalski (ops), Gilbreath (ops #2), Weatherly, Case, Walker, Pavlovsky, Corning, Zila, Scotese, and Schmidt.

June 10, 2008. 08-463, #9. The Team was called out to investigate a report of possible distressed hikers on the Rush Creek Trail above Silver Lake. A team was sent up the trail to the west to locate the problem. After several hours of searching, two men in their 20s were found sleeping. They were interviewed and it was determined that they had been just playing around with the campers in the Silver Lake campground and were not in need of any help from the Team. Responders were: Michalski (Ops), Greene, Walker, and Stiles.

July 2, 2008. 08-511, #10. Linda Rostad, 60, from Redmond, Washington, became ill while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail about 14 miles south of the Red's Meadow campground. A SAR team hiked in from the Duck Pass trailhead while another team stood by for possible insertion by helicopter. CHP helicopter H24 was able to locate the sick backpacker and transport her to the Mammoth Forest Service helipad. She was taken to Mammoth Hospital via personal vehicle after declining medical care from the County paramedics. Responders were: Michalski (Ops), Holmquist, Scotese, Corning, and Pavlovsky.

July

July 6 - 11, 2008. 08-545 #11. Ric DeVan was reported overdue from a peak bagging hike in the vicinity of Mt. Goode (Inyo County). The Team responded to a mutual aid request, and searched the area between Bishop Pass, Mt Johnson, and South Lake. Inyo County suspended the search on July 11. Friends and family members continued searching. Mr. DeVan was found deceased July 16 near Peak 12689 in a narrow chute. Responders were: Enright (Ops), Corning, Beck, Pavlovsky, Vetter, Miller, Gilbreath, Holmquist, Zahn, and Leyen.

July 19, 2008. 08-568 #12. Kirt Kingzett, 43, of Sherwin Oaks, was backpacking with two friends in the Garnet Lake area but became separated from his companions on a day hike away from their camp.

The SAR team responded along with CHP Helicopter H40. Two ground teams began hiking into the area, one with a tracking assignment and the other with an area search assignment, while H40 was asked to do an air search of the area during the remaining 1:15 of daylight.

Shortly after H40 arrived on scene, Kingzett walked back into his camp and was reunited with his hiking partners. He had become disoriented and had spent the day hiking various trails in the area until he found his way back to camp. Responders were: Holmquist (ops) Schmidt, Pavlovsky, Gilbreath, Case, Corning, Weatherly, Rousek, Brenninkmeyer, and DeGeorge.

July 23, 2008. 08-575 #13. Zachary Berenson , age 12, of Ventura, California was hiking with his father Roger on the trail above Crystal Lake. Roger stopped to rest prior to a trail junction, and became separated from Zachary. After searching for an hour Roger called 911.

The SAR Team was dispatched to stage at Lake George. Meantime, other hikers in the area informed Roger that they had seen Zachary on the trail. Subsequently, other Berenson family member found Zachary at Horseshoe Lake prior to teams being deployed in the field. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Greene, Enright, Michalski, Corning, Beck, Wright, and Scotese.

July 26, 2008. 08-582 #14. Roderick Davis, 85, from Valley Spring, California, was reported overdue from a backpacking trip in the Leavitt Meadows area. Investigation revealed he had been seen re-entering the wilderness on the day he was expected to return home.

Family and friends came to the area to search for him and the dog and two pack goats he had with him. A helicopter from CHP was requested but Mr. Davis was found by a friend prior to its arrival. He was reportedly dehydrated and unable to speak or walk. A short while later his friend reported he had passed away.

SAR Team members assisted deputy coroners in documenting the decedent and scene in the condition found. A recovery carryout was conducted. Responders were: DeGeorge (Ops), Holmquist, Schmidt, Greene, Hall, Wright, Corning, and Vetter.

July 26, 2008. 08-584 #15. Richard Jaramillo, 44, of Poway, California, fell from his horse in the Lake Mary area, not far from the road, and he suffered shoulder and chest injuries. Mono County paramedics, Mammoth Lakes Fire, and the SAR team were dispatched. SAR response was canceled before most team members arrived on scene. Responders were: Holmquist (ops), Zila, Schmidt, Wright, Greene, Corning, Vetter.

July 27, 2008. 08-587 #16. Olena Shmygelska, 30, of Palo Alto, climbed Mt. Ritter with a full backpack, and chose a different descent route. She made slow progress and spent the night near 12,000 feet. The next morning she continued down but became stranded in loose rock and cliffs, and called 911 about 0900 for help.

The Team responded, and four members were flown by CHP helicopter H-80 to a spot below her, and climbed up to her location at 11,220 feet elevation, finding her uninjured. She was belayed down and escorted out via trail to Agnew Meadows, and taken to her car at Mammoth Mountain. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Gilbreath, Holmquist, Schmidt, Case, Corning, Vetter, and Enright.

July 28, 2008. 08-590 #17. On the night of 27 July, Jerold Blain, 26, of Davis, California, drove off the road while on the Chidago Canyon Loop Road. His truck was stuck in the sand, and he walked along the road for a distance before leaving the road and walking into the desert scrub. He walked through part of the night and later slept in the sagebrush.

In the morning, he made cell phone contact with Sheriff's dispatch, and the SAR team was activated. Blain continued walking, and eventually encountered a dirt road. Not long after the SAR team arrived on scene, Blain was spotted on the road by Mono County Deputies. He was dehydrated and tired but otherwise unharmed. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), J Lemon, Michalski, Pavlovsky, C Schilz.

August

Congratulations to Daniel Hansen, who completed his law enforcement academy training, and is now a member of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department.

August 3, 2008. 08-607 #18. The Team was called to locate and evacuate a hiker having a seizure on the White Mountain trail. The Team responded, but the subject had recovered enough to hike out before the Team got to the trailhead. Responders were: Michalski (Ops), Greene, Jim Lemon, Wright, Pavlovsky, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Gilbreath, Enright, Scotese, and Weatherly.

August 6, 2008, 08-615 #19. The team responded to Lake George when the subject’s husband reported her missing and overdue from returning to their campsite after a dayhike to Crystal Lake. Her husband last saw her when they were beginning to leave Crystal Lake on the way back to their trailer at Lake George.

SAR sent teams to search Crystal Lake, Mammoth Crest and Horseshoe Lake areas. Shortly after teams began searching, she showed up at the trailer. She had wandered around Crystal Lake a little while after becoming separated from her husband. She ran into a couple of teenage fishermen, who were going to show her the trail back.

When she sat down to rest for a while she discovered that the boys were gone. She then hiked to the ridge between Crystal Lake and Lake George, and descended the slope following the stream between the two lakes back to Lake George. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Schmidt, Holmquist, Gilbreath, Michalski, Beck, Pavlovsky, Case, and Enright.

August 9, 2008. 08-622 #20. The reporting party called 911 when he passed a hiker on the River Trail one mile south of Thousand Island Lake who appeared to be in distress. The SAR team responded, along with personnel from the US Forest Service. A USFS wilderness ranger located the subject, who was not injured. He was picked up by a pack train coming from Thousand Island Lake. No further SAR assistance was needed. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Lemon, and Holmquist.

August 10, 2008. 08-623 #21. The subject was camping in the Garnet Lake area when he began experiencing abdominal pain and high fever. A friend began hiking out, and came across a person with a cell phone who was able to call 911 for help. SAR team was notified and requested the assistance of Care Flight helicopter that was in the County for another medical matter. Care Flight was able to land near the subject’s camp and transported him to the Minaret Vista helipad. Mono County paramedics transported the subject to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops).

August 15, 2008. 08-636 #22. Troy Day, 47, of Rialto, was reported two days overdue on his backpacking trip from Yosemite to Red's Meadow. The SAR team responded as did CHP helicopter H40. As SAR ground teams were departing for the field, the team received word that Day had been spotted less than two miles from Red's Meadow. He was moving slowly due to blisters but was otherwise in good health.

The team deployed three personnel to the Red's/Postpile area to verify that Day had arrived safely, while the rest of the team responded to an ongoing call for a medical emergency at Duck Lake. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Carole Shilz, Brad Schilz, Jim Lemon, Beck, Michalski, and Corning.

August 15, 2008. 08-639 #23. Arthur Gamboa, 45, was reported by a Forest Service trail crew to be in distress near Duck Lake with severe nausea. The SAR Team responded and hiked in. Meanwhile, CHP helicopter H40 was able to land near the outlet to Duck Lake and transport him to the Forest Service helipad in Mammoth Lakes. Medic 3 transported him to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Corning, Jim Lemon, Beck, Holmquist, and Schmidt.

September

September 3, 2008. 08-698 #24. Joel Bisson, 34, of Mammoth, was reported overdue from a one-day peak bagging trip to Kuna Pk. The SAR team responded in unified command with Yosemite National Park. Mono teams hiked up the eastside trails towards the Kuna Crest area, while Yosemite teams hiked to the area from Hwy 120. Yosemite helicopter 551 searched the ridgelines surrounding the search area.

In the afternoon, Bisson arrived at the Mono search base area, located at the trailhead where he had left his car. Bisson had planned a two day trip and had asked the reporting party to call for help after the second day. The reporting party misunderstood the instructions and reported Bisson overdue after only one day. Responders were: Holmquist (Ops), Hansen, Michalski, Pavlovsky, Beck, Vetter, Corning, Scotese, Greene, and DeGeorge.

September 6, 2008. 08-712 #25. Allan Crandall, 53, from Canoga Park, stayed behind to wait at Barney Lake while his group continued to Duck Pass. Upon returning, the group was unable to find Crandall, and hiked out to call for assistance. The Team responded to begin a search, but the subject was found hiking down the trail by one of his friends. Responders were: Michalski (Ops), Greene, Case, Holmquist, and Schmidt.

September 24, 2008. 08-735 #26. Mary Lowe was reported missing when she became separated from her partner during a day hike from Mono Village. She was located by the SAR Team the next morning returning on the trail to Mono Village. Responders were: Greene (Ops) and DeGeorge.

September 25, 2008. 08-738 #27 Clyde Avery from Idaho Falls, Idaho was injured near Fern Lake west of Devil's Postpile when tangled in a lead, resulting in a mule falling on him. The Team was called to respond for a possible fractured ankle.

Just before dark, CHP helicopter H24 was able to land near the subject, and with the aid of two packers, carried him to the helicopter for evacuation to Minaret Vista, where Medic 3 transported him to Mammoth Hospital. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Pavlovsky, and Gilbreath.

September 29, 2008. 08-08-746 #28. Simon Bentley and Lee Price from Joshua Tree, California were reported overdue from an ice climb of North Peak. The Team responded to Saddlebag Lake, and found that the subjects had hiked out after spending an unplanned night in the backcountry. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Beck, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Pavlovsky, Gilbreath, and Scotese.

October

Steve Fossett aircraft wreckage found - Definitely the biggest news is the Team's extensive involvement in the search for Steve Fossett. The Team found the aircraft wreckage and other evidence on October 1, helped plan and support Madera County for the ensuing two-day search with many teams and agencies involved, and ultimately found additional personal items and remains belonging to Fossett on October 29 in a Team-initiated search training event organized by Bill Greene.

Here is part of the latest press release from the Madera County Sheriff that notes our Team involvement on October 29:

DATE: Monday November 3, 2008 TO: NEWS MEDIA

Sheriff John Anderson has received conclusive DNA test results on two bones recovered a little over half a mile east of the Steve Fossett crash site. A California Department of Justice Forensics lab has determined that items containing DNA - discovered last week - match James Stephen Fossett’s DNA.

Sheriff Anderson expressed his gratitude to three Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies and 7 Search & Rescue volunteers with the Mono County Sheriff’s Office for their continued work on this Coroner’s investigation.

The following people who participated in the October 29 recovery mission are:
Lt. Darin McMechan - Madera County Sheriff’s Department
Detective Jack Williamson - Madera County Sheriff’s Department
Deputy Bennie Romiti - Madera County Sheriff’s Department
Bill Greene - Mono County Sheriff’s SAR
Jim Gilbreath - Mono County SAR
Heidi Vetter - Mono County SAR
Brad Schilz - Mono County SAR
Carole Schilz - Mono County SAR
Jutta Schmidt-Gengenbach - Mono County SAR
Jeff Holmquist - Mono County SAR

All three Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies along with 7 members of the Mono County SAR Team (Bill Greene, Jim Gilbreath, Heidi Vetter, Brad Schilz, Carole Schilz, Jutta Schmidt-Gengenbach, Jeff Holmquist) hiked in to the site on Wednesday October 29. At approximately 7:15 AM, the team of 8 searchers drove to Devil’s Postpile near Soda Springs. From there the group hiked nearly 5 miles (heading north) toward the crash site. The terrain was extremely rugged, steep and rocky. The team reached their target search area at around 10:20 AM.

Within a few short minutes of their arrival one of the SAR members made the team’s first significant find. Over the course of the next five hours, the crew would make further discoveries including credit cards, an Illinois Driver’s license, cash, clothing and a pair of tennis shoes.

The items were recovered southeast of the crash site, located in the mountains of Eastern Madera County in central California. The team ended their search and began their hike out of the region at around 4:00 PM that afternoon.

"What his family has wanted for over a year now .... what his family has needed .... is closure."

Error note: The Team member listed as Jeff Schmidt, is really our own Heidi Vetter.

It is worth noting that our Team has been involved with this search for six callouts dating back to September of 2007, and have had people in the field ten days, plus spending a lot of other time for planning. Success really feels good!

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From our President Jutta Schmidt: Thanks to everyone who responded to the Fossett search. Y'all did a great job, with a great attitude, and it was fun! I'm real proud to be associated with our team.
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More good news! We now have a replacement truck for the old and mouse infested Rescue 2! It is a brand new Ford F350 extended cab 4WD. It is in service, and responded to the White Mountain callout last Sunday, hauling a snowblower that turned out not to be needed. A shell, bed extender and other fashion accessories are yet to be added to make it properly mission ready. Many thanks go to lots of people in the Sheriff's Office, County purchasing, and our Equipment Officer Dave Michalski for making this happen.

WE GET LETTERS

We get letters from people expressing their appreciation for what the team does. Just in case you ever wondered if what we do is worth your time, here's some excerpts from letters we received:

From Daniel Trudeau: My friend and I found ourselves lost in a storm in an area we have been to many times. We never thought we would need to be rescued. After not returning home when we were expected, our wives, my son and several friends made the late night trip to Mammoth to report us missing and to get help in finding us.

I am writing to express gratitude not only for coming to our rescue, but for the way that you supported and helped our families during this time. There was a continued communication with them that kept them calm during the time we were "missing". Having two angels come to our rescue in the middle of the night bringing food and warmth and then guiding us out was truly a Godsend.

Thank you all so much for the coordinated effort to come to our rescue. We know there are many people involved in these efforts, not just the ones we saw and spoke to. It is hard to believe that this is all done on a voluntary basis. It makes me want to be one of you. I am enclosing a small donation to the team. It is not enough to repay the efforts that were made, but I do I hope to donate both money and time in the future. I am also sending a face warmer loaned by Jeff.

From Jay Oshiro - Enclosed please find a donation made to your excellent organization. While backpacking in the Deer Lake and Duck Lake areas of Ansel Adams Wilderness I suffered through an episode of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Several volunteers from the Mono County SAR helped evacuate me to safety.

I want to extend my thanks to your organization and to the volunteers who helped bring me out of the wilderness. I also want to thank the individual(s) who retrieved a pack that we left at Duck Lake. Organizations like Mono County SAR and its volunteers make all the difference to back country travelers. We are truly grateful for your service. Thanks so much for your time effort and dedication. PS. I am making a full recovery at sea level.

From Amro Abdel: You guys/gals do good in our communities and like it says "For Free". So here is a little something from Dread It Not Handyman Services.

From Craig Schrager: This old member of June Lake Search and Rescue and former president of the old Mammoth Lakes Search and Rescue (1980s) is sponsoring a hole (for golf fundraiser).

From Dr. Jack Wortman: It was a privilege to join your meeting as you reviewed the Fossett operation. I was truly impressed with the skill, professionalism and dedication of your team members. Please accept this gift (for whatever purpose you choose), in recognition of your concern for others and in honor of Jim and Jean Gilbreath.

October 1 - 3, 2008. 08-752 #29. A year after Steve Fossett disappeared flying a light plane, his ID cards were found by a local hiker. The Team responded to search the area, and located the wreckage near dark on Wednesday Oct. 1 in Madera County. Team members also spent the next two days in an evidence search as part of a large and highly publicized operation. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Gilbreath (ops), Leyen, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Michalski, Pavlovsky, Jim Lemon, Beck, Holmquist, Schmidt, Corning, Vetter, Aguirre, Rousek, Weatherly, Scotese, and DeGeorge.

October 23, 2008. 08-797 #30. The SAR team responded to Mammoth Mountain Inn Chalets for the report of a missing juvenile. Missing subject was involved in a family dispute and left the residence in the late afternoon. When darkness fell her family reported her missing to the Mammoth Lakes police department.

Due to the cold weather the PD requested SAR assistance in locating her due to the possibility she had walked away into the forest behind the Inn. Team members located the subject walking along the Scenic Loop Road approximately four miles from her home while responding to the call. She was transported back to her residence and released to the custody of PD/parents. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Michalski, Schmidt, Vetter, Holmquist, Pavlovksy, Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, and Corning.

October 29, 2008. 08-752 #31. As a training opportunity, Team members planned an additional two-day search for evidence in the Fossett case. They were joined by 3 deputies from Madera County. They hiked in early, and by 1030 were successful in finding additional items and remains that have been identified by Madera County as belonging to Steve Fossett. Responders were: Greene (ops), Gilbreath (ops), Carole Schilz, Brad Schilz, Vetter, Schmidt, and Holmquist.

November

November 2, 2008. 08-819 #32, Donald and Sam Gallay from Chatsworth, California, with a friend, attempted a climb of White Mountain Peak in the morning. They were unable to reach the summit, and retreated to the roadhead. When driving down the road near Sheep Mountain, their vehicle become trapped by deep snow drifts. They requested assistance at approximately 6:30 PM.

SAR personnel were able to respond within one mile of their location by vehicle, and hiked to their location to guide them out on foot. They were transported to a Bishop hotel for the night. The following morning the subjects arranged for a Bobcat to plow the road so they could retrieve their vehicle. Responders were: Greene (Ops), Pavlovsky, Michalski, Schmidt, and Holmquist.

December

Our end of year holiday party was held at the Convict Lake restaurant, and was an excellent affair with delicious food. Barry Beck's Year in Review video show was a highlight yet again. This takes many many hours of computer work to produce, and we owe you a lot of gratitude for doing this, Barry.

Each year, the Team honors members for their individual excellence and public service, and two awards are given by the Team each year to honor members who have excelled.

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.

The Pete Schoerner Rescue Member of the Year for 2008 is Marie Pavlovsky. Marie serves the Team as a Board of Directors member, Team Secretary, and participated in 41 team events in 2008, including 16 field operations. Since 2007, Marie has served the County on 106 team events, including 24 rescues and searches. She has a wide variety of mountaineering skills, and is one of the team's key players in all types of missions.

New members in training are called Candidate Members, and must undergo training, practice, and testing in eighteen skill categories before being considered for advancement to Rescue Member. Examples of these skills include first aid and victim care, tracking, technical rescue, mountain navigation, helicopter operations, and skill with electronic aids such as computers, radios, avalanche transceivers, and GPS receivers. Completion of all requirements takes a lot of dedication and faithfulness over a period that is typically a year or more.

The team honors one candidate member 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 searching in a small airplane that crashed during an operation on August 15, 1979.

This year the team selected Carole Schilz as the Rick Mosher Candidate Member of the Year. Carole has been very active and faithful in both her training and in rescue operations, and has participated in 79 Team events, including 18 operations since she began her training.

Paul Zahn marked 10 years with the team; Jim Gilbreath marked 15 years.

The annual Board of Directors election was held at the December meeting. Thanks to outgoing Board Members Greg Enright and Steve Case for their years of excellent service to the Team. Those elected (or re-elected) to the Board are Jeff Holmquist, Jutta Schmidt, Jim Gilbreath, Barry Beck, Dan Corning, Jim Lemon and Marie Pavlovsky.

Board officers for 2009 are Jutta Schmidt - President, Jeff Holmquist - Vice President, Daniel Hansen - Chief Financial Officer, Barry Beck - Training Officer, Marie Pavlovsky - Secretary, and Dave Michalski - Equipment Officer.

December 7, 2008. 08-869 #33. Steve Kretschman, 22, of Riverside, CA, visited the Inyo Craters along with two friends. The group ventured to and from the bottom of the main crater several times. On one such excursion, Kretschman chose to climb a loose rock band and found himself in a position from which he could neither ascend nor descend.

The SAR team was dispatched to the scene, and field personnel rigged a high angle lowering system to send an attendant to Kretschman. Once Kretschman was secured to the ropes, the attendant and victim were lowered to the floor of the crater, and both walked to the rim. Responders were: Greene/Holmquist (Ops), Schmidt, Michalski, Vetter, Corning, DeGeorge, Leyen, Beck, Pavlovsky, C Schilz, B Schilz.