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On Sunday, December 30, 2012, Palmdale Sheriff’s Station received a call advising of a hiker, and his two dogs, stranded in the snow near the summit of Mount Baden-Powell, in the Angeles National Forest. The hiker, a 30 year-old male and Aliso Viejo resident, had been walking with a partner when he and his two dogs slid off the trail down a 30ft ice chute. All three were stranded in a remote area and remained there amidst swirling snow and bone-chilling winds until they were rescued by search and rescue personnel.

Due to extremely low visibility, helicopters could not be used; however a swift and systematic response by Palmdale Sheriff’s Deputies, the Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team, and the Crescenta Valley Search and Rescue Team, insured that the neither the hiker, nor his canine companions, had to spend the night suffering through freezing temperatures.

Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team members provided initial first aid treatment to the hiker. The hiker was in good condition and was able to walk out of the remote area and make the trip down the mountain with the Search and Rescue team.

Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Commander John Johnston commented, “This is a perfect example of why it’s important to pay attention to weather predictions when planning a hike.”

The Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team has been called upon to perform nine rescues so far this month. Although the team primarily searches for lost hikers, they are also called upon to assist with the search of lost children and adults suffering from diminished mental capacity disorders in urban environments as well.

Los Angeles County has eight search and rescue teams who average over 350 rescue missions a year. This makes Los Angeles County one of the most active counties for search and rescue operations in the nation. Over 100 Search and Rescue team members are Reserve Deputy Sheriffs who give their valuable time and risk their lives on a moment’s notice – for one dollar a year.

The Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team is a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. All team members are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) or paramedics and are highly trained in mountaineering, survival skills and search and rescue techniques. Team members have agreed to respond on an as needed basis 24/7 to perform rescue operations in the mountainous regions of Los Angeles County. For information on becoming a member, visit: www.avsearchandrescue.com or www.palmdalevolunteers.com

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