Overview

• At 3:30 p.m. on July 2 a solo female climber activated a Garmin InReach SOS after falling off-route near 13,600 feet on Mount Williamson and sustaining a compound leg fracture while losing her backpack containing food, water and clothing.
• Thunderstorms, high winds and low visibility grounded initial CHP air missions, prompting Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake to drop SAR volunteers at 10,500 feet to trek overnight toward the injured climber.
• On July 3 CHP and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopters attempted hoists over steep, narrow chutes but were hindered by altitude performance limits until two rescuers were inserted above the patient.
• A California National Guard Black Hawk Spartan 164 completed the extraction around 7:15 p.m. on July 3, flying the climber to Bishop Airport for immediate medical care.
• Authorities described the operation as a demonstration of interagency endurance and a stark reminder of the risks inherent in high-altitude solo mountaineering.