By Daniella Segura
The Charlotte Observer
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. — Rescuers trekked 8 miles in “dangerous” conditions amid a storm to reach a hypothermic hiker, California deputies said.
The hiker sent an SOS using a GPS device at about 12 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, saying they became hypothermic during their trek at Andrew Molera State Park, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
Multiple agencies, including the sheriff’s office search hand rescue team, set out to find the hiker, deputies said.
As rescuers trekked about 8 miles, they faced unfavorable weather conditions overhead, deputies said.
“With an atmospheric river bringing relentless wind and rain, conditions were far from ideal, but that didn’t stop Monterey County Search and Rescue,” the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue said in a Facebook post.
An atmospheric river, “like rivers in the sky,” are “long, narrow” areas in the atmosphere, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They carry moisture from the tropics, which is released “in the form of rain or snow.”
Because of the poor weather, rescuers did not find the hiker until hours later at about 5:30 p.m., deputies said.
Rescuers requested help from a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew; however, they had to turn back due to the weather, deputies said.
Instead, rescuers carried the hiker back down the trail and reached an awaiting ambulance at about midnight, nearly 12 hours after the rescue began, deputies said.
In the Facebook post, Sheriff Tina Nieto said it is important for hikers to be prepared before they set on their trek.
“Always carry proper supplies and utilize appropriate clothing and consider weather conditions,” Nieto said. “The weather conditions on February 13th were not favorable for hiking, making this situation dangerous, not only for the public, but for our rescuers as well.”
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