Lost Hiker San Jacinto Mtns.
November 10, 2025
Near Shirley Peak
2025-038
Written by: Nathaniel Desforges
At 5:45pm RMRU received a callout for a lost hiker near Shirley Peak who could not be retrieved by Aviation due to terrain and weather. All responding team members arrived at the base of Palm Springs Arial Tramway at 7:45pm. At that time team members were briefed, equipped themselves with their necessary gear, and were outfitted with radios. Teams were then assigned as follows:
Command Post (CP): David Bever
Communications: Eric Holden
Team 101: Guillaume Plateau, Nathaniel Desforges, Dave Kosmal
Team 102: Andy Hayt, David Altenbug, Shana Gutovich
At about 8:30pm Team 101, Team 102, and Eric Holden boarded the Tram. Once at the top, a SAR GAR was performed: {“SAR GAR” most commonly refers to the Search and Rescue General Assessment of Risk (GAR), a systematic process using Green, Amber (Yellow), and Red (GAR) to evaluate mission safety, assessing hazards (Green=Go, Amber=Caution, Red=Stop)}.
As well as final gear checks, communication checks, and route planning. Team 101 and Team 102 stepped off from the top of the Tram Station at about 9pm heading for Wellman Divide via the Round Valley Campground. From the Wellman Divide Teams 101 and 102 bushwacked through treacherous terrain heading W NW for roughly 1/2 miles and 600 vertical feet performing shoutouts and making verbal contact with the subject at about 11pm just east of Shirley Peak.
Team 101 made first contact with the subject who was found with minimal warming layers, 2 Liters of water, and small amount of food in conditions with a consistent 3mph wind chill at 37˚F. The patient was assessed and determined to be AO4 with mild hypothermia. (AO4: means Alert and Oriented to Person, Place, Time, and Event/Situation, a standard mental status check assessing if a patient knows who they are, where they are, the date/time, and what’s happening around them, indicating full awareness, especially after injury or illness.)
The subject was then given simple sugars and outfitted with hardshell pants, a fleece and puffer jacket, a beanie, and a helmet. An insulated pad was also laid down for the subject to rest while Team 101 and 102 devised a safe route to transport the subject out.
The subject was transported by bushwacking down heading SE and operated in 3 teams. The lead team, consisting of Andy Hayt and Dave Kosmal, ensured a safe route down. The subject team consisted of Shana Gutovich, David Altenbug, and Guillaume Plateau who were able to help monitor the subject and assist them in navigating through the terrain. These teams were connected by Nathaniel Desforges who maintained contact between both teams, allowing the subject team to take their time while the lead team evaluated multiple paths through the terrain. This was done for roughly 1 mile and 900 vertical feet until teams intersected Wellman Cienega Trail at 9400ft.
From there the subject was transported back up to Wellman Divide and down to the Tram Station through the Round Valley Campground, arriving back at the Tram Station at roughly 4am. Teams then debriefed the mission and slept at the Tram Station until 5:15am and headed back down the Tram at 5:30am.
Key takeaways: While on the mountain it is incredibly easy to get lost in unfamiliar terrain. Hikers should always familiarize themselves well with the maps and trails of the areas they plan to hike. In today’s day and age there is an incredible wealth of resources open to the public including but not limited to apps like Cal Topo, All Trails, and Gaia as well as websites for the various National Forests. If you do find yourself getting lost do not be shy about asking for help and when that help is on the way, stay at your last known location.
RMRU Members Involved: (David Altenburg, David Bever, Nathaniel Desforges, Shana Gutovich, Andy Hayt, Eric Holden, Dave Kosmal, and Guillaume Plateau)
Other Agencies Involved: (Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation Unit)