This morning, nine members of the China Lake Mountain Rescue Group and about an equal number from Inyo Search and Rescue gathered for a joint rescue practice, organized and coordinated by Inyo National Forest rangers.
I didn't take pictures, but one of my colleagues did. It occurred to me that some might be interested in seeing the sorts of things that go on when someone in the Whitney area "calls for help."
It was about 0930 when we gathered at the beginning of Wood Road, just off the next to last switchback below the Portal. The RP (Reporting Person) ran up to us, very excited and anxious, saying his partner had fallen at the top of the first pitch on a climb called
Flappers, between
Solstice Celebration and
Premier Buttress. He had hit his back and head hard, and his helmet was cracked. He was in considerable pain. Could we help?
Well, we could indeed. Over the course of the next four hours we hiked to the site, ascended to the victim and treated his injuries, packaged him in a litter, and lowered him down the rock face. From there, we manhandled the litter for several more pitches until reaching a wheeled litter carriage, and eventually got him out to the vehicles.
It must have taken a long time, because by the time we got there his injuries had miraculously healed. Interestingly, both the victim and RP bore striking resemblances to rangers we had seen many times before on Mt. Whitney trails. We debriefed over burgers and beer at the WPS.
The pictures by my friend don't tell the whole story, only the portions he could see from his locations. Nevertheless, I think they give valuable insight into the kinds of excitement that await those who are unlucky* up there.
Pictures by Nathan Simons, CLMRG 
*unlucky...or stupid. It has to be said. But I think the unlucky outnumber the stupid. No matter, we treat them all the same.
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And some by Al Green 
