Rescuers help stranded mountain climber and hikers

Two separate incidents result in rescues. One climber later succumbed to injuries.

View fullsize

News release from Siskiyou County Sheriff, Jon Lopey

On Saturday, August 31, 2019 the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) received a call from a female stating her climbing partner, later identified as Mr. Carlos Flores, 24, from Baha California, Mexico, fell while climbing on Mount Shasta and was unconscious at or near the 11,000 feet level of the mountain.  He reportedly fell on Casaval Ridge in the area of Red Banks.

The man’s companion and reporting party talked to SCSO’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator, Deputy Mike Burns via cellular phone and advised him she had to hike to Lake Helen to get a cell signal sufficient to report the incident.

Deputy Burns contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and requested a helicopter with hoist capabilities to respond to the scene. 

CHP helicopters are stationed at Northern Division in Redding and often respond to SAR requests. 

CHP’s H-16 helicopter crew arrived at the scene at about 8:55 a.m. and the pilot and paramedic-observer were able to extract Mr. Flores from the mountain predicament.  H-16 crew members transported the man to a waiting ambulance and he ultimately received medical care at Mercy-Mount Shasta Hospital.  Due to the severity of his injuries, he was flown to another hospital outside the county for further medical treatment.

According to his companion, Mr. Flores injured his ankle while climbing the mountain and attempted to descend the heights on his own. The reporting party continued the climb and during her descent down the mountain, discovered the unresponsive and injured climber later in the day.

Sadly, prior to the submission of this news release, on September 2, SCSO’s Dispatch Center was advised by the medical facility that Mr. Flores succumbed to the injuries he sustained on the mountain.

Participating in the rescue effort were the CHP’s Northern Division Air Operations Unit, SCSO’s SAR team, made up of mostly volunteers; United States Forest Service (USFS) Climbing Rangers, Moore and Coots, Mount Shasta Ambulance Service, and Mercy-Medical Center Mount Shasta.

According to Deputy Burns, “This is a good time to remind the public that anyone climbing Mount Shasta should wear and use safety equipment appropriate to their activities on the mountain.  All climbers should check-in with the local office of the USFS to ensure they obtain permits and safety information, especially if they are ascending above the 10,000 foot level.  A Wilderness Permit is required (free of charge) for entering the wilderness areas. Summit Passes are required if you climb above 10,000 feet, and are available from participating vendors or from the USFS.”

Deputy Burns continues, “Information can also be obtained on-line at www.fs.usda.gov/stnf, or, the USFS can be contacted by calling (530) 926-4511 (Mt. Shasta Ranger Station) or (530) 964-2184 for the McCloud Ranger Station.  This time of the year the trails can be rocky, icy, and falling rocks are common.  Helmets, ropes, crampons, and ice axes are recommended for the higher elevations.  Climbers should never venture onto the mountain alone and always apprise someone of your route, time of ascent, and estimated time of return. There are a number of local Mount Shasta guide services and equipment shops available as well, which offer rental equipment appropriate to every recreational endeavor. Advanced technology-type locater devices are available for purchase or rent, such as Global Positions System (GPS) devices, SPOT Locators, Personal Locator Beacons, Satellite Messengers, and similar devices.  Remember to carry a charged cellular phone but be aware cell range and coverage can vary on Mount Shasta and in other wilderness areas and may not be available in some locations. In short, traveling in mountainous areas takes preparation, proper planning, and taking the time to ensure the proper clothing, shelter, food, water, and emergency supplies are obtained and carried to help ensure a safe and successful trip, especially at higher elevations, which can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous to the unprepared or careless visitor.”

“On behalf of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to offer our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to Mr. Flores, his family, and friends in the aftermath of his tragic death,” said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey. 

“I would also like to commend all involved rescuers who labored under hazardous and difficult circumstances to rescue him from his ordeal,” continued Sheriff Lopey.  “Later, medical health care professionals at Mercy-Mount Shasta Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Redding labored collectively for three days to save him from his serious injuries.” 

Second incident

In a separate rescue incident that occurred on August 26, 2019, SCSO SAR members responded to the remote, mountainous area of Blue Lake in response to a call that originated at about 2:40 p.m.  According to a call received by SCSO’s Dispatch Center, a man reported his brother and sister were stranded on a steep cliff near Blue Lake.  The two hikers were climbing steep cliffs when they were unable to safely extract themselves from a cliff on a rock out-cropping.  The two hikers were camping with family members in the vicinity and feared if they attempted further descent off the ledge they could become seriously injured.

At about 5:33 p.m., SCSO SAR members, along with SCSO SAR Assistant Coordinator, Deputy Bob Buker, deployed from the Scott Valley Airport and were inserted by a CHP Northern Division Air Operations Unit helicopter and crew, which were able to use a hoist on the aircraft to safely extract the hikers from the cliff and return them unharmed to waiting family members at their campsite.

According to Sheriff Lopey, “This was a busy week for SCSO SAR rescue personnel and their deputy coordinators.  We are grateful the CHP and the SCSO SAR team were able to respond quickly and rescue these two stranded hikers without mishap or injury.  This is another good time to remind mountain travelers to be aware of their surroundings, avoid potentially unsafe mountainous activities, and always climb or hike with proper clothing, safety equipment, and emergency supplies.”