A Busy Weekend for Rim SAR

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Mission #1

 Called at 0030 hours for 2 missing hikers in Green Valley Lake area. The detective answering the phone said they were near Tent Peg Campground. Three RimSAR members responded to the CHP office in Running Springs and received orders from our coordinator to follow him to the Crab Flats area. Radio traffic suggested that 2 hikers had been picked up by 40 King but they were not sure if there were still others in the field. By the time we were within a mile of Crab Flats it was confirmed that all missing hikers were accounted for and the mission was 1022’d. Members present Newlin, Fry and Palmer. (Pincus responded but just missed the departure time).

Mission #2

Call came at 0410 hours for an over-the-side accident on Highway 18 with one person ejected. Unknown whether anyone else was with the subject. The 5 personnel who were going to Landers were joined by 4 others and we went to the site of the crash. Fire was already on scene and determined that the subject had been ejected and was deceased. No others victims were found and fire allowed us to do the recovery. Subject estimated to be in her 20’s name Mae S Askin (sp?). Awaited arrival of coroner as we set up for the recovery. When the coroner arrived he and Newlin went to the victim off-rope and the litter was sent down at the same time. Subject cleared for removal by coroner was packaged and extracted by a simple 3:1 external haul system through an artificial high directional. Some of the fire crew were used as haul team. Subject was 595 feet below highway. Passed 2 knots on the mainline and one on belay. Less than 5 feet of rope left on belay when subject was reached. Assistance was offered by West Valley and the Cave teams however we had enough personnel to accomplish the mission. Thanks to both teams and Fire for their willingness to help. Operation took about 1hr45min including part of the time waiting for the coroner. Lots of chaparral to deal with on the way up especially. Members present- Newlin, C. Debruyn, M. DeBruyn, R. Pincus, D. Chamlee, K. Anthony, S. Weiland, J. Wyndroski, and F. Palmer.