Inyo County Search & Rescue

10/02/2026

5 minutes. That’s all it takes!

Before going on any backcountry trip, take 5 minutes and tell someone in detail where you’re going and what you’re planning to do. Show them a map, send them a link to your planned route, tell them in detail what locations you will be going to and in which direction you’ll be traveling. And tell them when you’re supposed to be back at your car. Let them know what you’re wearing, send them a photo of your apparel, your gear and whatever you’ll have on you.

If you ever go missing, SAR will need this information. There is a huge difference between “planned to hike somewhere out of South Lake, has a backpack” and “planned to hike from South Lake to Taboose Pass in 4 days, camping here, here and here. Wears blue pants, orange sun hoodie, yellow jacket and a red backpack. Uses hiking poles.”

If you go missing, you want to be found!

08/17/2026

In the late afternoon of August 9, 2026, Inyo SAR received a call for assistance from three backpackers on the trail to Shepherd’s Pass. The hikers reported that they were out of water but otherwise doing well. At that time, Inyo SAR advised the group that there was flowing water available in Symmes Creek and that a rescue response would not be initiated.

On August 10, Inyo SAR received another call from the group. The hikers reported that they were again out of water, one member had sustained an ankle injury, and another was experiencing nausea and vomiting. The group had spent the night at Anvil Camp and was descending when the injury occurred.

Inyo SAR mobilized seven rescuers, equipped with crutches and a wheeled litter, to hike approximately three miles and gain more than 2,000 feet of elevation to reach the injured hiker. Once on scene, rescuers splinted the hiker’s ankle and began the descent.

The descent required four creek crossings and nearly four hours of travel along a dark, narrow, steep, off-camber, overgrown, and washed-out trail. Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers and all three hikers safely reached the trailhead at approximately 2:00 a.m. on August 11.

The group’s objective was to travel from Shepherd’s Pass to Mount Whitney in approximately four days, a demanding itinerary even for experienced hikers. The group did not have a method to filter water, sufficient food for the planned trip, or a satellite communication device, and had limited clothing and equipment for the conditions they encountered. Fortunately, cell service is available along portions of the trail, allowing the group to call 911 when assistance was needed.

This incident is a reminder that the Eastern Sierra can present significant challenges, and hikers should carefully consider their route, physical abilities, and equipment before heading into the backcountry.
Dehydration and fatigue can quickly affect judgment, coordination, and physical ability, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Hikers should carry sufficient water or have a reliable method of treating natural water sources, bring appropriate clothing and equipment for changing conditions, carry enough food, and have a reliable means of communication.

Rescue is never guaranteed. Being properly prepared and having the ability to remain self-sufficient—and, when possible, self-rescue—can be critical when traveling in remote areas.

Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County residents and visitors is made possible through community donations. Learn more or contribute at Inyosar.com/donate

08/15/2026

Does Search and Rescue respond to every call for help?
The short answer is no—and there is an important reason why.

SAR evaluates each request for assistance based on the circumstances, location, weather, available resources, and the type of help needed. Sometimes the safest and most appropriate response is to provide guidance rather than deploy rescuers into the field.

Here’s a look at three calls received over the past weekend:
Saturday – Trail Camp, Mount Whitney
A group reported being cold and experiencing symptoms of acute mountain sickness. They were advised that reaching them on foot would take at least six hours and that remaining stationary could increase their exposure to the cold. They were advised to descend to a lower elevation, which is the appropriate treatment for altitude-related illness. A helicopter response was not warranted.

Saturday – Mount Russell
A group called while in a lightning storm. They were advised to descend immediately and seek safer terrain. SAR personnel do not deploy into active lightning conditions when doing so would place rescuers at significant risk.

Saturday – Shepherd Pass Trail
A group called after running out of water. Their location was just over half a mile from a reliable water source. They were provided directions, followed the advice, and were able to continue safely.
These situations highlight why a call for help does not always result in an immediate rescue response. In the Eastern Sierra, weather, terrain, distance, darkness, and available resources can significantly affect how quickly rescuers can reach someone.

It is also important to understand that there is no dedicated rescue helicopter stationed in Inyo County. When an aircraft is needed and available, assistance typically comes from CHP helicopters based in Fresno or Apple Valley. Aircraft availability can change based on weather, other emergencies, maintenance, and operational requirements.

Inyo County is bigger than the state of Vermont, but has less than 20,000 residents. SAR response times are very slow here because it takes very long to get anywhere here.

Plan ahead. Know your limits. Be prepared.

08/14/2026

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, Inyo SAR received a report of a missing person in the Palisades. His plan had been to complete a long loop from Glacier Lodge to the west side of the Palisades and back to Glacier Lodge, involving many miles of difficult off-trail travel and significant elevation gain and loss. His last known location was an inReach message sent from below Agassiz Col on Saturday evening. Through Garmin’s cooperation with law enforcement officers from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, SAR was provided with a more recent last known location from the subject’s inReach, placing him between Sam Mack Lake and Sam Mack Meadow.

Inyo SAR planned a deployment for early Monday morning, August 3, 2026, with CHP helicopter H-82 flying from Apple Valley to assist with the search and provide transport support. During the helicopter’s initial reconnaissance flight, the crew located the subject, deceased, above Sam Mack Meadow.

After landing in Bishop, H-82 transported two SAR members to Sam Mack Meadow to reach the subject and assess the scene. It was determined that he had sustained severe injuries consistent with a fall from the cliff. Based on the rescuers’ observations, there was no opportunity for lifesaving intervention.
H-82 then transported the subject to Bishop Airport before returning to retrieve the remaining SAR members.

Mountain travel can be unpredictable, especially during long days in remote and difficult terrain. Plan conservatively, carry adequate warm layers and an emergency bivy bag, and be prepared to adjust plans as conditions change. If darkness approaches or conditions deteriorate, stopping to shelter in place and waiting for daylight may be safer than continuing through unfamiliar or difficult terrain.

Please be respectful in your comments. The victim’s family and friends may be following this post, and comments that may seem harmless to some can be deeply hurtful to those who are grieving. Thank you.
Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office.

08/11/2026

On Tuesday, July 28th, Inyo SAR responded to a callout involving a 33 year-old male, approximately one and a half miles above North Lake, on the Lamarck Lakes trail. He was reported to be suffering from vomiting, dizziness and labored breathing, and was unable to walk on his own.

A team assembled and headed out to the trailhead. Simultaneously, mutual aid from Mono SAR was requested, in case additional personnel were needed.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, a hasty team of 2 headed up the trail to locate the patient and perform an assessment. The remaining 5 members followed with a wheeled litter and additional oxygen. Three members of Mono SAR arrived shortly thereafter.

Upon meeting the patient it was determined that he had low blood oxygen saturation. He was put on oxygen, which improved his saturation, but not to normal levels, raising concerns that he is experiencing high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). At that point, an ambulance was requested, and Mono SAR was requested to head up the trail to help carry the patient and bring additional oxygen.

The patient was placed in the wheeled litter and the team began the descent while administering oxygen. Mono SAR joined the effort roughly halfway down the trail. Upon arriving at the trailhead, the teams transferred the patient to the care of the EMS team and briefed them on the situation.

Inyo SAR thanks MonoSAR for their partnership, assistance and rapid response. Inyo SAR also thanks the good samaritans on the trail who triggered a Garmin InReach SOS and who helped the patient descend nearly 1/2 mile closer to the trailhead.

Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County residents and visitors is made possible through community donations. Learn more or contribute at Inyosar.com/donate

08/10/2026

In the early afternoon of July 26, 2026, Inyo SAR received a call for help from a hiker who was stranded on a ledge at Old Army Pass. The hiker had been descending from Mount Langley, when he lost the faint route down Old Army Pass, got ledged out and found himself unable to move in either direction.

Inyo SAR mobilized six rescuers and drove to Horseshoe Meadows – an hour and a half from Bishop. They hiked 7 miles to Cottonwood Lake 4, from where they surveyed the cliffs around the Old Army Pass route and located the subject.

From here, 4 rescuers started to hike/scramble to gain a location above the subject, while 2 remained across the valley to keep eyes on everyone and help with directing the rescuers.

The 4 rescuers built an anchor above the subject and rappelled to him. Once he was reached, they out him into a harness and tandem rappelled with him to safer terrain. From there, they all scrambled down scree and talus to the trails at the Cottonwood Lakes.

After a break to give the subject fresh water and food, everyone hiked out together, arriving at the trailhead shortly after midnight.

If you’re ever curious what a rescue like this looks like from the subject’s perspective, here is his blog post that he asked us to share with you: https://blog.happyhikersgroup.org/mt-langley-beyond-the-summit-92f12c0f9564

We’d like to remind all hikers that Old Army Pass is not a trail, but an unmaintained route. New Army Pass is actually a trail. It’s a bit longer, but much safer and easier to follow. Not all short cuts save time and effort.

Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County residents and visitors is made possible through community donations. Learn more or contribute at Inyosar.com/donate

08/08/2026

Fatal Mountaineering Accident – Mount Sill

On June 29, 2026, the Inyo County Sheriff's Office, along with Inyo County Search and Rescue (SAR), responded to a fatal mountaineering accident in the North Couloir area of the Palisade Glacier on Mount Sill.

Two climbers were descending the mountain when one individual lost control and fell down the steep snow-covered slope. The second climber immediately contacted 911 to request emergency assistance.

Inyo County Search and Rescue was mobilized and coordinated with Fresno CHP Air Operations to conduct a technical rescue. Two SAR members were inserted by helicopter at approximately 12,500 feet on the Mount Sill Glacier, roughly 600 feet below the subject. By the time the team reached the area, an unexpected storm had moved in, bringing more than six inches of snow and preventing further helicopter operations that night.

As weather conditions worsened and helicopter operations were suspended, the rescuers and surviving climber remained overnight in the bergschrund while awaiting improved conditions. Despite the rescue team's efforts, the injured climber succumbed to their injuries during the night.

At first light, additional Inyo County Search and Rescue members were flown into the area. The deceased climber was recovered, and the surviving climber was assisted down the glacier to a waiting helicopter.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss.

Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer, unpaid professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County residents and visitors is made possible through community donations. Learn more or contribute at Inyosar.com/donate

07/27/2026

Getting a permit for Mount Whitney? The Forest Service just added a few pieces of advice - we strongly encourage you to follow it. Don't become a statistic!

Many thanks to Inyo National Forest for adding this to their permits!

07/25/2026

New evacuation orders! Read the caption for details!

07/23/2026

Active Wildfire!
The fire is currently impacting the Sawmill Trail and Trailhead near Division Creek Road. Three other trails and trailheads are under evacuation orders and a forest closure order - Taboose, Red Lake and Birch.

A Forest Closure has been announced due to the . The complete closure and map may be found on the Inyo National Forest website and on the Rock Fire Inciweb page. Images of the closure will also be posted below in the comments.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/alerts/rock-fire-area-closure

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/cainf-rock-fire/inyo-national-forest-closure-for-rock-fire-07-22-2026