[pct-l] San Bernardino Mountains claims one more

[Lonetrail at aol.com (Lonetrail@aol.com)]

A 23-year-old Pomona woman died after spending a freezing night Tuesday in 
the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, where she and a group of friends 
had gone hiking but lost their way in a snowstorm, authorities said Thursday.

Kortney Zeman is the eighth hiker to die this year in Southern California 
mountains, and her death prompted emergency officials to again warn hikers about 
potentially deadly weather conditions in the rugged terrain. 

"We've been trying to tell people; it's been in the papers and on 
television," said San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Robin Haynal. "We've never 
lost more lives in such a short period of time."

Rescue teams recovered Zeman's body Wednesday morning, after she and four 
friends endured a night of rain, heavy snow and temperatures in the teens.

The group had set off Tuesday evening for a hike in the Deep Creek Hot 
Springs area near Hesperia. After a 45-minute trek, they swam in the hot springs, 
then left when snow and rain began falling, said Tracey Martinez, a county Fire 
Department spokeswoman. 

But they became disoriented in the storm. Instead of walking to their car, 
they headed north to an area east of Apple Valley. When they came across an 
abandoned truck, they climbed in.

"They decided to stay in the abandoned vehicle," Martinez said. "They took 
their wet clothes off and wrapped themselves in blankets."

The following morning, Zeman was unconscious. One member of the group hiked 
down the mountain to a point where he could use his cellphone and called 911.

By 10:45 a.m., an emergency crew had reached the group and called for a 
helicopter to fly Zeman to a hospital, Martinez said. She died at Loma Linda 
University Medical Center of extreme hypothermia, officials said. None of the other 
hikers required medical attention, authorities said.

Extreme cold and unfamiliarity with the area were cited as reasons for the 
woman's death. "With the weather that night, I can see how they got disoriented 
so quickly," Martinez said. 

Authorities reminded hikers to pay attention to weather forecasts and wear 
proper clothing and footwear. Martinez said they should also ensure that they 
are packing sufficient food, water and extra clothing. Cellphones also are 
recommended, although reception in the mountains is spotty.

"You should also let somebody know where you're at and where you are going. 
That really helps in a search," Martinez said. 

Zeman's death was the eighth to occur in the mountains in five weeks. On 
Saturday, authorities discovered the body of Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach off 
Mt. San Gorgonio, 400 feet down a chute of ice. 

Kumm went hiking alone Jan. 17 to try new equipment. Authorities believe he 
became disoriented and tried to follow his footsteps back down, but the 
conditions were too icy and treacherous.

Lonetrail
I