SAR Team aids ill hiker at Shamrock Lake

Date:      August 4, 2015
Subject:  Search and Rescue Team Operation

On Monday, August 3, 2015, at approximately 10:20am, the Mono County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call regarding an ill hiker at Shamrock Lake.

A female hiker, age 52, of Ventura, California, and her family came to the Eastern Sierra for vacation. The family hiked to Shamrock Lake for an overnight camping trip when the female hiker began experiencing severe altitude sickness symptoms. The altitude sickness prevented her from hiking out of the Shamrock Lake area. Family members hiked out and called 911 along Hwy 120W when they obtained cell phone service.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was dispatched to aid the ill hiker. Seven SAR Team members staged at the Saddlebag Lake Resort. The ground team, along with Mono County Paramedics, was transported across Saddlebag Lake via water taxi. The ground team was then able to continue the hike up to Shamrock Lake where they met the ill hiker at her campsite. The ill hiker was transported via wheeled litter back to the Saddlebag Lake Resort where she was met by Mono County Paramedics for evaluation and then transported to Mammoth Hospital for treatment.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team thanks the staff of the Saddlebag Lake Resort for their assistance in this operation. - Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer