Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Hikers FOUND!!! -- SAR on Whitney

Hi all very new here. I just came back from Whitney 20-oct. I went up on monday and camped at the low site due to a blizzard at 2pm. Tuesday we attempted to summit. My party of four did not summit. After 13000 feet, the trail disappeared, no more tracks, heavy clouds rolling in, visbility about 30 yards, wind picking up, and snow at some points hip deep (I'm 6'). We returned 20-oct. About noon, on the trail down, we met with mountain rescue, they were unable to reach the summit on 19-oct for a rescue. Wednesday, at 10000 ft, the snow was falling heavier then it was on monday. On monday night we saw two parties come down. The first party was six people (all with day packs). It was dark. They came toward our camp and asked if this was the trail. I pointed to where the trail was and they went on without another word. That was about 7pm. The second group came along about 840pm -- a group of four (all with day packs). I asked as they passed if they made it to the top. "YAH". Then I asked how was it. "Blizzard". We all went to bed at 9pm. Only one person came down Tuesday night. When asked if he made it to the top, he replied "nah". That was about 800pm. We all went to bed about 1030pm, and headed out wednesday morning around 10am. I'm a fairly light sleeper and did not hear anyone else on the trail. Three hikers went up 20-oct about 5am, and two more went up about 7am.

Omaha, NE.....I just know one of the hikers for sure. He's the cousin of my best friend, sent a text early Tuesday morning to family here stating he was stuck up there. Asked for someone to send help. His cell phone has since died so no further word from him. They sent him directions to the hut but not sure his phone was still working at that point. He didn't respond.

I also know they went up to try to get them yesterday morning. They got about a mile from where they thought they were and had to turn around due to the white out conditions.

Thanks Rod - corrected my post.

Here is a link to KETV.com, a TV station on Omaha, NE:

    Omaha Climbers Missing In California
 


And the same site has a set of pictures from the report, including a photo of Philip Abrahams text message on his gf's cell phone:
    Images: Family Waits For Word On Missing Climbers

Thanks Steve - good catch.

Safe with emergency supplies? Combination? Am I missing something? That's the first I've heard of this. Could this be the other room of the hut with the locked door? Is it secured with a combination lock?

My thoughts and prayers are with these guys. I haven't been able to get them off my mind since I heard the news on the radio this morning. The news about Mt. Whitney arrives in So. Cal later than Central Cal receives it. Has anyone ever read "Off the Wall in Yosemite"? Great book to teach someone what not to do in the wilderness(my opinion). If there are any writers out there, a book about "Off the Trail at Mt. Whitney" might save some lives. I hope and pray these guys get home safely to their families.

i don't know about a safe, but i did see into that room w/the door open once. ranger rob from seki was up there. there were items in the room, but looking from the bright sunlight into the dark room it was difficult to say what was there, and i wasn't that curious at the time.
a typical gov't combo lock w/the numbered dials on the 'bottom' - not the sides - of the lock.
yes. to the left of the register box.
yes. and w/o the combo there's no way to get through that steel door. it is truly industrial strength.

Very good idea. Unfortunately the access to these supplies would seem to depend on the stranded party having communication with the authorities for the combination, and we all know the reliability of cell reception up there. I guess there's no other feasible way, though - if it were easily accessible to anyone, those emergency supplies would get the same conscientious treatment wag bags seem to.

- agreed.
i'm sure the supplies, whatever may be in there, are for the use of the rangers. and i'm also certain they'd like it to remain that way. bummer to be relying on having equipment cached at the summit, only to find it missing when truly needed.
- what they need is warmth. water wouldn't hurt either.

That stone building may provide some shelter, but it's a cold place. The door is in rather sad shape as well.

Sure hope they get down OK. The weather's better today, but it's still unsettled.

CNN has picked up the story:

    Crews search for 3 hikers in California

Nothing new in that story.



Omaha news has added more information:

    Hunt for Omaha climbers goes on
From that news story:



The WhitneyZone's Mt Whitney webcam is displayed in this story on wowt.com: Omaha Climbers Missing On California Mountain


NOAA weather forecast for Mt. Whitney is here.
 

Unofficial.....

I just got an email saying:

they got em!

From Rescuers find Omaha climbers



...so it appears that rescuers have reached them at the hut.


Edit... another article:

Climbers airlifted off mountain

Thank God!!

Wow! Do those guys ever have a story to tell!

Sounds like they're getting their first chance now - "filling out paperwork" down in the valley, according to Omaha.com.

Good that they stayed put at the hut, so SAR could locate them. Thanks to Inyo and SEKI SAR teams, and the helo crew.

This looks like another case of the weather not cooperating with the long-range plans of humans. We must ALWAYS be willing to back down in the face of bad weather; the mountain will always be there.

Found safe at 12:00 p.m.!!!

The power of 1,000 positive thoughts!

My wife and I and our fellow co-workers are elated at this great news. A salute to the Chinook pilot and air crew.

I know DUG is happy, in regards to the Chinook.

Yes, Steve C, I bet they do have a story to tell.

Probably an "I Shouldn't Be Alive" episode.

Now, as for the other seven members (friends?) of the team...Drive off without telling anyone?

Also, they were fortunate to be able to send a text message.

Imagine if they were unable to? No one would have known they were still up there until maybe Richard P found them.

This is wonderful news. I sure hope these three hikers know about the Whitney Zone so they can share their story first-hand with us.

Thanks to Steve for his diligent work at staying up to current information and contact.

Thanks to Inyo SAR, China Lake, SEKI and all other parts involved in making this rescue a success.

As Doug reminds us, the focus now shifts over to the Meysan area - where another group is also still reported missing. They do not have the luxury of a summit hut to keep them from the elements.

I will make sure at least one of them knows about it. I'm sure after he recovers from this experience, he'd be more than happy to share with everyone.