Lost Hiker South Main Divide
January 26, 2025
Corona, Ca
2025-004
Written by: Stephanie Robertson
The call for RMRU response was sent out at 0645 Sunday 01/26/25 for a lost hiker off South
Main Divide near Corona, CA. As team members arrived at the Command Post we learned that an initial search was conducted by RSO patrol helicopter without any sign of the lost hiker. The weather was wet and very foggy, forcing the patrol helicopter to leave the area.
RMRU began organizing a ground search based on a GPS location provided to dispatch. Two RMRU members, Matt and Trygve, went in the field as the hasty team, while we organized a team of six including Tobias, Andy, David, Alex, Geoffrey, and myself. The terrain was steep and muddy from rain overnight, and the weather was foggy with low visibility.
After hiking closer to the search area, we split into two teams with Tobias and Geoff taking a lower route of approach and Andy, Alex, David, and I taking a higher route of approach. Ray and Solan were running base. Our team of 4 reached the last known GPS location on the ridge most likely to find the lost hiker, began doing call outs of the hikers name, and sent 2 members, Alex and David, down a steep, overgrown, and muddy wash with rappel gear to attempt to find the subject. Alex and David established verbal communication with the lost hiker.
They were able to get down to his location on the hillside to provide rewarming, hydration, and nutrition. With poor weather, the team began to prepare for a low angle rescue to extricate the hiker. The fog cleared and Rescue 9 was able to hoist out the hiker and two team members to safety. Andy and I enjoyed a muddy hike out.
As a new member this was my first “boots on the ground” callout response. I was impressed with the team’s organization, communication, strategy, and adaptation to changing information. This response was a great example of teamwork and collaboration between RMRU and RSO.
RMRU Members Involved: David Altenburg, Trygve Anderson, Alex Cochran, Matt Frenken, Andy Hart, Geoffrey Marshall, Tobias Moyneur, Stephanie Robertson, Solan Watts, Ray Weden
Other Agencies Involved: Corona Fire, Cal Fire, RSO Aviation