[pct-l] Rescue on the PCT

[Meridith Rosendahl]

A friend of mine who is on the Plumas County Search and Rescue team
recounted this story from Saturday, Sept. 24.

A pair of section hikers, male and female, were on the trail north of Bucks
Summit planning on a 4-5 day hike, when they had a fight, probably on
Wednesday. She was an inexperienced hiker and it may only have been her
second hike.  He supposedly was experienced.  He left her behind, but
thought that she was close by.  She wasn't.  He looked for her Thursday and
Friday searching the trail where they planned to hike and finally on Friday
called the Sheriff who alerted S&R.

S&R assembled at the Bucks Summit trailhead Saturday morning and spent most
of Saturday looking for her.  There were 3 different teams of two searchers,
who looked all day, calling out loud for her.  Finally about 6:30 they
located her about 4 miles from the trailhead after she responded to their
shouts by blowing a whistle.

She had run low on water and left the trail leaving her pack behind while
she searched for water.  She was stung by bees and ran, and then couldn't
find her pack and had no idea where the trail was.  She found paths that
looked like trail but went nowhere.  When she was found she wasn't far from
where they had camped, but earlier in the day was too far away from the
trail to hear anyone calling.  When she was found she had moved closer and
was able to hear them and responded with the whistle - not a good one - that
they could faintly hear.

She had food for a few days in her pack, but couldnt' find the pack, so
spent at least 2 nights without food or shelter.

My friend on the search team commented that anger may have kept her alive.

Piper's Mom