Palm Springs news headline from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department:

On Monday, December 28, 2009 at 12:50 p.m., deputies from the Cabazon Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway regarding three hikers who were lost in the wilderness and in distress.

The hikers departed the upper tram station on Saturday, December 26, 2009 for a hike to the town of Idyllwild, planning to arrive on Tuesday (December 29th). Midway, the unprepared hikers encountered heavy snow and ice where they became disoriented and unknowingly left the trail. The hikers were able to contact a family member by cellular phone who summoned help.

Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) was mobilized, along with a Sheriff’s Department helicopter. After an extensive air search, the three hikers were found in a remote area of Mount San Jacinto, at the 10,300 ft level. With the assistance of the rescue unit, all three hikers were hoisted off the mountain and flown to the lower tram station where they were met by family members. All three suffered from early stages of frostbite and hypothermia, but declined further medical treatment. There were no other injuries reported.

The three hikers were identified as Max Conniff, 18, of Santa Cruz, and Steven Tam, 18, of Simi Valley, and Josh Frank, 18, of Los Angeles.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind hiking enthusiasts that severe winter conditions are present this time of year in the local mountain areas and to be properly prepared for any high elevation wilderness excursion.

Filed under Headline

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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