Mt Waterman Trailhead, Angeles Crest Highway, Pearblossom, CA, USA

Home

/

Survivor Stories

/

Mt Waterman Trailhead, Angeles Crest Highway, Pearblossom, CA, USA

Lives saved

2

Snow sports

Snow sports

Mountain

Mountain

Crash or collision

Crash or collision

Snow

Snow

Snow sports

Mt Waterman Trailhead, Angeles Crest Highway, Pearblossom, CA, USA

34.3469597°N, -117.9215316°W

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Bill

What happened?

I was snowshoeing with a group when someone (Patient 1) slipped on some ice and slid down a steep gully. Another member of the group (Patient 2) immediately went after her, slipped on the same ice, and also slid down the gully. Patient 2 hit a tree after sliding about 150 feet and came to a stop. The impact shattered his lower left leg (later revealed 4 fractures total). Patient 1 slid further and was out of sight at this point. Patient 2 was found in a tree well about 50 feet further down the slope. She was banged up a bit, possibly with a cracked rib, and was a little dazed and confused about the situation. She didn’t appear to hit her head on anything.

After coming to the conclusion that neither one of them would be walking out, I activated my ResQLink. We did what we could to keep both patients warm as the temperatures started to drop, we also had sporadic snowfall. After several hours, a helicopter appeared but was circling over the wrong area. They turned around almost immediately after arriving due to thick fog blowing in.

We were starting to think we may end up spending the night out there. But after an hour or so, the fog cleared. We eventually spotted search and rescue personnel on the ground about half a mile away, but they were on the other side of the gully. (It’s curious that S&R and the helicopter presumably had our GPS coordinates, but both initially were searching in the wrong areas.) With clear skies, the helicopter came back and hoisted out the 2 patients.

The 4 of us that were left packed up everything and began walking out in the dark. When we made it back to our cars, there was a fireman waiting to make sure we made it out ok. 

Words of wisdom

If you witness an accident or fall, don’t just spring into action. Freeze, look around you, assess the dangers and hazards present, then proceed.

Thank you note

Thank you so much for making such a great product! I’ve been carrying this with me everywhere as part of my “10 essentials kit”. I never thought I’d have to use it though…

Rescue location

Mt Waterman Trailhead, Angeles Crest Highway, Pearblossom, CA, USA

Rescue team

Local Search and Rescue

ResQLink™

Go to product details

It may be small, but it's tough. The ResQLink™ PLB Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a GPS-enabled rescue beacon that's suited for outdoor adventures of all sizes (think: everything from hiking and cycling to hunting and fishing). Should you run into an unexpected situation, the ResQLink PLB will relay your location to a network of search and rescue satellites. PLBs have helped save thousands of people's lives. This Product has been Upgraded. Click Here for Available Upgrade WARNING: PROP 65    

Out of stock

ResQLink™ saves lives

Survivor Stories

Hiker Unknowingly Saves Herself From A Fatal Heart Attack With PLB

Somewhere in the darkness I had decided that there was no way I could walk out of here... not even retracing our steps.

Read Full Story

Locator Beacon Used for Hiker Injury

We were traveling along the track down a steep slippery section when my feet went from under me, sending me sliding down and my foot impacted with a tree trunk causing a significant injury to my ankle. My ankle was completely broken, and my foot attached to my leg only by tissue.

Read Full Story