Posted on 07/20/2021 5:34:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Navy helicopter crew looking for a hiker missing in some California mountains east of Yosemite National Park survived after they crashed near the tallest peak in Nevada, and both the searchers and the hiker were rescued over the weekend.
The four-member crew escaped injury but had to spend Friday night in the rugged wilderness before being rescued Saturday from a ridge along the California-Nevada line, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) south of Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, authorities said.
The Navy is investigating the cause of the crash reported about 5 p.m. Friday, Navy spokesman Zip Upham said Monday. The Navy MH-60 Knighthawk had been helping with the search for a lost hiker in the White Mountains in the Inyo National Forest.
Ronald Bolen, an Oklahoma University professor who was reported missing last week on a trail to Boundary Peak, was found by hikers late Saturday or Sunday in good condition and transported for medical treatment, the Mono County sheriff’s office said.
A family member told the Reno Gazette Journal that Bolen was dehydrated but otherwise in good shape.
Boundary Peak, near the California line about 100 miles (161 kilometers) east of Yosemite National Park, is Nevada's tallest mountain at an elevation of 13,410 feet (4,005 meters).
The helicopter crash occurred at 11,700 feet (3,566 meters) in “very rugged terrain” in the national forest, Upham said.
“It's going to take us a little time to do the investigation because of where the aircraft rests,” he said. “After that, we'll see about removing the aircraft.”
A second Knighthawk helicopter left the air station after the crash and found the crew but was unable to safely rescue them.
A California National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter that performs better at high altitudes and is based at Mather Field in Sacramento returned Saturday afternoon to safely remove the crew members, Upham said.
“They had been on standby for firefighting so they were available,” he said.
Perhaps the Knighthawk was above it’s operational ceiling? Hat tip to the Chinook, my FAVORITE helicopter to the rescue!
This happened near my home. Rugged and remote country in the White Mountains just east of the Sierra.
A million parts built by the lowest bidder rotating rapidly around an oil leak waiting for metal fatigue to set in.
MY SIL is an engineer on those turbine engines. His view is quite similar to yours...
But what were their thoughts about transvestites?
Just let these idiot “hikers” figure it out for themselves. Probably democrats.
Man, that is one expensive rescue.
I spent 4 years in an AVN Bde, including 6 months in the Sinai. Never set foot in one, figured the odds of one falling on me were in the lightning strike + lottery winning range. Why mess with those odds? If you’re in it when it falls it doesn’t matter where it lands. :)
The hiker is a professor at a university so you're probably right. My rule: Never hike alone.
I hike alone most of the time. I'm experienced and among other things, I carry a Garmin inReach with satellite communication for emergencies, and someone in my family always knows where I am and what my hiking plan is.
Hopefully their training prepared them to resist recruitment by any white supremacists they may have encountered.
People who pursue these extreme sports or events should be charged money.
They put the rescuers’ lives in danger.
Exactly. Please see my post #13.
Is the Garmin inReach like a personal locator beacon?
It has an SOS button that gives your location. You can also share your location or the progress of your hike in real time with anyone via email or text. It has many other features.
I hate Chinooks as much as I hate Sea Stallions. When I became a Landing Signal Man on my carrier I would always have to get a harness and safety line, which I had clip to a padeye so I didn’t end up getting blown down the deck LMBO!
I agree about Sea Stallions. They look too darn heavy and a bit sluggish.. I love the Chinook for it’s abilities as a workhorse. You’ve been there so my opinions are less qualified of course.
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