Search for Overdue Hiker on Yosemite Falls Trail
3-29-04 - 3-30-04
On March 29th, 2004 at 1645 hours a Ranger took a report of an overdue male hiker. The hiker had last been seen by his mother at 0530 hours the same day hiking up towards the Snow Creek Switchbacks. The hiker had planned to hike the approximately 20 miles up Snow Creek, along the trail, and down the Yosemite Falls Trail. The hiker had planned to meet his family in front of Degnan’s Deli at 1300 hours and had not returned.
At 0600 hours on March 30th, two teams of two people were sent up the Yosemite Falls Trail and the Snow Creek Trail. Soon after, a helicopter search operation was ordered and a California Highway Patrol helicopter was also ordered.
At 0715 the Incident Commander received information from another park employee that she had heard someone yelling in the Church Bowl area. Two rangers were sent to Church Bowl area and after using a PA system made verbal as well as visual contact with the missing hiker, who was located high on the Ahwahnee Ledge system.
At 0922 hours, all ground teams returned to the SAR cache, while the helicopter flew a reconnaissance mission to determine ground access to the missing hiker. At 1119 hours, ground teams made contact with the missing hiker. After assessing the hiker, the rescuers determined that the hiker was uninjured and escorted him down to the valley floor.
The rescue team and the hiker safely reached the ground at 1412 hours and the search operation concluded at 1530 hours.
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