Missing Man Found After Seven Nights
as reported in Mammoth Times - February 19, 2004

Eric Lemarque, reported missing by his father since February 4 was found alive on Friday, February 13, after being in the elements for seven nights.

A ski patrol team located a fire pit and snowboard tracks 1.5 miles east of Rainbow Falls at approximately 11:15 a.m. on February 13. Searchers in conjunction with helicopters followed the track, which headed south down the San Joaquin River Drainage. Lemarque was located below Rainbow Falls near Fish Creek in Madera County at about 2 p.m. and was airlifted out by a Blackhawk Helicopter at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Once rescued, the helicopter transported Lemarque to a landing zone at the Mammoth Lakes' golf course. He was then taken by medics to Mammoth Hospital and treated for severe frostbite to his left foot, dehydration and mild hypothermia.

Specifics as to why Lemarque had gone missing and was in such a remote area are uncertain and still under investigation. The search began when Eric Lemarque had not been heard from for four days and the Mammoth Lakes Police Department received a report of a possible missing person. Lemarque, a skating/ice hockey coach of Los Angeles, CA had been in Mammoth Lakes on a ski trip since February 2. MT

Copyright 2004 Mammoth Times
Eric Lemarque apparent route of travel - Bill Greene Map
Map of estimated route traveled by Eric Lemarque - prepared by Bill Greene
Note: Lemarque's frostbite was so severe that both of his feet developed gangrene and about two weeks after being rescued both feet and lower legs below the knee were amputated. Also note that reports of his death were in error ... out of area media confused his case with the Foley case.