The ski team was called out to rescue a lost split boarder near the junction of the Warr Trail and Saxon Creek Trail (aka Mr Toads).
The subject and his friend had made their way up from Hwy 89 and were riding downhill as darkness was setting in.
The friend didn’t want to wait and left the subject alone, several miles from any trailhead, with no light and little understanding of how to navigate the terrain. The subject called 911 around 5pm.
A ski rescue team of two left Christmas Valley around 7:30pm and skinned up the Warr Trail to reach the subject. Eldorado Sheriff rescue helicopter, Echo 1, assisted by confirming the subject’s location during a flyover.
The rescue team reached the subject around 10pm and provided hot chocolate, water, a headlamp, and warm layers. They guided the subject, a capable rider, back down to Christmas Valley.
The mission concluded with Eldorado Sheriff providing the subject with a ride back to his hotel after midnight.
Heading out for a backcountry ride without proper navigation and survival gear can go well…until it doesn’t. This party was not prepared for anything but an ideal scenario. Our subject was lucky to have cell phone coverage and just enough battery to use it to call for help.
Even very skilled riders can get lost, stuck, or injured. Stay with your friends and have a plan for when things go wrong. We are here to help when you need it, but rescues always take a long time!
EDSAR Tahoe is an all-volunteer professional rescue team supported by a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, operating in cooperation with and under the authority of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
Search and rescue services are free in El Dorado County and made possible thanks to donations that directly support our volunteer rescuers.
