Woman Rescued After Being Stranded on Top of Remote Mountain with Bone ‘Protruding Through the Skin’
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A woman was rescued after a harrowing ordeal of being stranded on the summit of Mount Williamson in California for 28 hours. The solo hiker had suffered a broken leg after falling off-route on July 2. Multiple search and rescue teams collaborated to locate the woman and bring her to safety, as she survived without food or water after losing her backpack.
According to the Inyo County Search & Rescue team (SAR), authorities received a distress call from the woman stranded on Mount Williamson, situated 240 miles northeast of Los Angeles. She made contact with the team using a $400 satellite transmitter, reporting her injury. The hiker had broken her leg, with the bone visibly protruding through her skin, and had also lost her backpack containing essential supplies in the fall.
Despite the severe nature of her injuries and the remote location, the woman showed remarkable resilience, remaining calm and responsive while waiting for rescue. SAR coordinated efforts to establish communication via satellite text and swiftly activated the Inyo County search and rescue mission.
The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Central Division Air Operations, and other teams. Initially, a thunderstorm in the area forced emergency personnel to adjust their rescue plans. However, they persevered, using five helicopters, including CHP H-40 helicopters and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Air 5 helicopter, in the operation.
As the situation unfolded, the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station was called upon for assistance, transporting Inyo SAR volunteers to a high altitude to locate the stranded hiker. Despite challenging terrain, verbal contact was established with the climber. However, the steep and narrow chute made immediate rescue impossible.
By the morning of July 3, with improved weather conditions, CHP H-40 returned to the scene. Additional SAR members were inserted above the hiker’s location, finally reaching her 23 hours after her fall. The demanding rescue efforts culminated in successfully hoisting the woman to safety around 28 hours after the initial incident.
The rescued hiker was then airlifted to Bishop Airport for further medical attention. Photos shared by the California National Guard on Facebook showed the helicopter operation and the woman’s triumphant rescue from the perilous situation. Mount Williamson, lacking established trails above 10,000 feet, presented significant challenges that were navigated by the dedicated rescue teams.
Mount Williamson’s treacherous terrain, described as “many, many times more difficult” than California’s tallest peak, Mount Whitney, highlighted the dangers faced by climbers and hikers in remote locations. Professional climber Dave Miller emphasised the risks posed by getting off-route and encountering unexpected challenges during expeditions.
The successful rescue of the stranded hiker serves as a testament to the bravery and coordination of the search and rescue teams involved. The woman’s ordeal and subsequent rescue demonstrate the importance of preparedness and swift action in outdoor emergencies, particularly in rugged and isolated environments like Mount Williamson.