Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Baldy hike on 12/23

Hey Dave, I just PM'd ya. I was going to follow up later today as well, so will be sure to update any relevant new info.

I'm going through my Pics and videos now. The video at the top is awesome . . . can't wait to post

This from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin last night: "The hiker reportedly suffered some broken bones, but her injuries were not life-threatening, said San Bernardino County sheriff's Sgt. Maggie Finneran."

I just called around for an hour, including the hospital I think she is at, and got no info about Natalie's current condition.

I'm too tired to upload any more photos now, maybe later on today but I wanted to first say that my prayers go out to Natalie, I so happy to hear that she is going to be okay.

Each of our group gave to others in one way or another yesterday, before and after we encountered the accident, both individually and collectively. What a great bunch of people.
Feliz Navidad.

Sara

Bob

That is exactly what I called her. Bob and Blake were her sidekicks. The entire group stepped up to the plate. SAR responded immediately and like a well oiled machine, the rescue effort began (so happy to hear that Natalie will be o.k). I have read many search and rescue reports but to see it unfolding live opened my eyes to how selfless and heroic all involved in these operations really are. I am forever in gratitude to SAR and trail angels...

Sheriff Rescue Heli positioning for hover (able to hover for a few minutes before high winds had them retreat)

I just spoke with Ian, Natalie's boyfriend. What a great kid . . . his first concern after being super thankful over and over was all of our gear they had and that got strewn about. I told him that we'll worry about that later.

Natalie is in the hospital, but doing okay. He was hat home, resting. She is at "USC something or another" near/at the I-5. (I'm not familiar with the area so not sure, and he didn't remember the name.) She had a broken pinky, but no major broken bones. But, she is in some semi-burn unit or similar due to the major skin abrasions and bruising in her mid section and arms. (It was pretty brutal) She's expected to be there for a few days.

The 4th attempted helo lift was successful. He got off the mountain at 10pm and stayed at the hospital with her till 4am. He said he'll call me back later on when he gets more detail on where she's at and such.

He again couldn't be thankful enough and repeated it over and over. He thanked Sarah too as she called earlier. I told him that all of us were being thoughtful and concerned and he was thankful and wanted to spread it all to us.

We'll arrange who's got gear with whom when the time comes. I know i have at least 2 thermos's that were left behind with us. (I think Tracie's)

My pics are coming next!

Definately a memorable day.

I sat with the Operations Commander (a great guy, I wish I could remember his name!) for a few hours and got a good look at how these things are handled and just how many people are involved. Sarah, Blake and Bob did such an amazing job - as well as the Blackhawk team that finally succeeded in the lift.

You guys were all great to hike and visit with in pretty gnarly conditions. Sara was amazing and brought great (and instant) comfort and confidence to Natalie. Hope to do it again with you all and this time not involving any helicopters. Nice photo of the 10 of us Tracie. Who would know that the place the picture was taken would be a triage a few hours later.
Ron

I've got my pictures downloaded and processed. Not sure much more of a TR is required as most have already done that. Link to my gallery is at the bottom.

















And all of the pictures are HERE

Great pictures, Blake. I especially like the two close-ups of your face with a maniacal grin. It would have been funny had you featured only those two photos in your previous post.

Here's my video.

WPSMB Baldy Summit Video

Some of my commentary cracks me up. Funny to watch it after the fact.

Great pix and video... LOVE the summit photo and summit video! Thanks, Blake.

It sounds like Sara did a great job out there. She's a guide for SMI and has learned from the best. Her bio on the SMI web site says "Sara's love of the mountains has taken her all over the Sierra and the world including expeditions on four continents to Nepal, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Ecuador, Mexico, and Russia. Her resume also includes numerous rock routes in Joshua Tree, Red Rocks, Tahquitz/Suicide Rocks, Yosemite, and the Eastern Sierra. Sara is a certified rock climbing instructor with the Professional Climbing Guides Institute and has been instructing since 2004.

I lifted these pics of Sara in action from the SMI web site. Great job!





Sara and Kurt

Blake: Nice video!!!

An amazing day in so many ways...

The chance to hike with MC again and see her beautiful smiling face, having a group of ten hikers brave the fierce winds on a harsh summit attempt, witnessing the humility of our friend who traveled so far, selflessly say it was time for her to turn around even though she had not reached her goal and finally watching those in our group with the most medical training help, stage and offer attention to the injured climber from the other party.

I wish my family commitment had not meant that i had to leave. It was hard for me not to see this rescue through to completion. I want to acknowledge the generosity of Sara, Bob and Blake who stayed through the end and the combined effort of our whole crew for the verbal support, the additional hours on the mtn in the cold temps, the miscellaneous support with hand warmers, bivy sacks, jackets, etc. A big thank you to Traci aka Blooty who drove Sara from Baldy to my home in Ventura County (where Sara's car was since we had car-pooled)and then headed home to Orange County, a trip that took hours and meant she arrived home in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

MC this group hike took an unexpected turn and it warms your heart i'm sure to see the community and the humanity that makes us all proud to be mountaineers. I hope there are many more hikes together in the future.

I have not had time to post my photos, but i have one here that shows the fierce wind that made this an especially difficult climb.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The last photo is incredible

Hey all... congratulations on a great climb under stiff winds and firm snow conditions! The video and pictures tell it all!

Just heard from Sara. She called to say she just visited Natalie in the hospital. She has partial thickness burns on her forearms, stomach, back side and sides plus contusions on her face. She was in good spirits and is already starting the healing process. She is scheduled to be released from the hospital tomorrow. What a great Christmas present that is!!

Great job Sara, Bob, Blake and the rest who pitched in their time and effort to help out a fellow mountaineer in need.

Great job all!!!

p.s. Sara also wants to say a special thanks to Bob for being her "copilot" in the rescue. Also thanks for all the support in the community. This was a group effort and everyone who participated played an essential role in Natalie's safe and successful rescue. You all ROCK!!

It was an easy decision. When I heard two members of our group made self arrests just below the summit, one word came to my mind... Dave (my husband). When I met up with the summiteers, Sarah asked me if I wanted her to accompany me to the summit (Norma was part of that plan). I could not believe that they were willing do bear the extreme winds any longer than necessary just so I could summit. Meant alot to me... But climbing up the chute (still not sure where we were) with Jeff to 9600' was my summit. It was a spectacular day for me. I personally liked the extreme wind; it was a true 'mountaineer in training' day!

It's one thing to implement & orchestrate a rescue attempt and then see it through... that is outstanding. To follow up by visiting Natalie in the hospital is beyond words. Sarah is a trail angel, a hero and has a 'heart of gold'...

Muy muy Bueno all and glad that everyone survived. Wishing Natalie a speedy and full recovery. Stay safe and have a happy happy new year!

Cheers,
RickG

A few more moments from the day (though,Norma's summit shot was incredible).








MC, thank you again for getting us all together.
Doug Sr., thanks for all of your hospitality shown to me throughout the year...and for making this forum possible.

with visions of sugar plums in my head...