Inyo County SAR Rescues Two Struggling Hikers (and Their 150lbs of Gear) on Mt. Whitney

On November 2, Inyo County Search and Rescue (SAR) was called out to assist two hikers who became exhausted and overwhelmed on their attempt to summit Mt. Whitney. The hikers began their trek at 6 p.m. Friday, carrying 150 pounds of new gear and five gallons of water between the two of them. Their plan was to camp at Lone Pine Lake and summit on Saturday.

Mt. Whitney as seen from Guitar Lake.

By 3 a.m. Saturday morning, after hiking just 2.7 miles, they were exhausted, with one hiker suffering from two blisters and a headache. Instead of pushing forward, they chose to camp on the trail overnight. The next morning, they woke to find snow had filled their shoes and the weather had worsened. The hikers activated the SOS feature on their iPhone, which alerted Inyo SAR. During the call, one of the hikers reported a pre-existing health condition that made her sensitive to barometric pressure.

SAR mobilized at 10 a.m. and reached the hikers by 1:40 p.m. After resting and allowing their shoes to dry, the hikers were able to begin their descent with the assistance of SAR. By 3:15 p.m., the group reached the trailhead safely.

What the Hikers Did Wrong

Inyo SAR shared a list of issues that contributed to the hikers’ struggles on the mountain. They lacked prior experience, proper preparation, and essential items like a map, weather forecast, and a bear canister. They also carried excessive water and gear weight for the weather and situation. Additionally, despite offers of help from other hikers, they declined assistance, which could have lightened their load or helped them return sooner.

The hikers safely reached the trailhead with assistance from Inyo SAR. Photo via Inyo SAR.

What the Hikers Did Right

The hikers made some key decisions that likely prevented the situation from becoming dangerous, both to them and to the rescue team. They stuck together, stopped when exhausted, and used their two-way communication device to call for help. Once they rested and hydrated, they were able to continue their self-powered descent with SAR’s help.

The Takeaway for Hikers

Inyo SAR reminds us that summiting Mt. Whitney is a serious undertaking requiring research, training, and proper gear. They advised hikers to recognize when conditions or personal fitness make summiting unwise and recommended hiring a guide service for those who are inexperienced or underprepared.

Weather and conditions on Mt. Whitney can be variable. Prepare ahead of time with the proper resources, and be willing to turn back if conditions change.

Inyo SAR also took the opportunity to remind the public that they support their operations entirely by donations and that they are an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. For those interested in supporting their efforts, you can make a donation below.

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Featured image via Inyo SAR.