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Last week, a solo hiker was climbing on Mt. Williamson, California’s second highest peak, when she took a fall near the West Chute at about 13,600 feet. When she stopped tumbling, she looked down and saw bone protruding from the skin. The woman quickly called for a rescue via her Garmin InReach, prompting a complex multi-agency response that would last overnight and ultimately involve five flights by four aircraft.
Known for its isolation, Mt. Williamson is just slightly north of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. While Mt. Whitney can receive as many as 160 hikers per day according to permit allowances, Mt. Williamson is much less traveled.
Navigating Mt. Williamson can be challenging since there’s no fully-established and maintained trail to the summit. Instead, hikers have to navigate the most well-known 26.6-mile route by using landmarks, maps, and apps to ascend 10,091 feet to the summit.
While it isn’t clear which route the hiker was intending to take while climbing the peak, Inyo County Search and Rescue officials wrote that she was climbing off route in an area known for its loose and unpredictable terrain when she fell.
After the hiker called for help, California Highway Patrol (CHP) sent an Airbus H125 helicopter to pick up two SAR volunteers to attempt a rescue. However, a sudden storm brought lightning and high winds to the mountain, forcing the helicopter to return without reaching the hiker.
As darkness descended, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office worked with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to arrange an extraction. China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station dispatched a helicopter from their VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron and transported four Inyo County SAR volunteers to 10,500-foot Shepherd’s Pass right before midnight, where they began their ascent to the hiker.
By the time the sun rose, rescuers made verbal contact with the hiker but faced further delays in moving her due to the peak’s terrain. As the weather on the peak improved, CHP’s helicopter returned to the peak, but was unable to reach the hiker due to steep terrain and the narrow walls of the chute where she was located. Instead, the aircraft dropped two SAR members to the ground about 300 feet above the hiker. The duo finally made contact with the hiker about 23 hours after her fall.
Next, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD) sent an Airbus Super Puma helicopter that was equipped with a longer hoist, but the altitude prevented the team from making a successful rescue. Ultimately, the California National Guard sent a Black Hawk helicopter, teaming up with Inyo SAR members to move the hiker to a better position before hoisting her to Bishop Airport to be transported for further medical care.
High-elevation rescues are particularly difficult due to decreased air density and oxygen availability. Helicopters often experience reduced lift at higher elevations, which can make it more difficult for pilots to operate their aircraft safely
In the wake of the event, Inyo County Search and Rescue officials wrote “This mission is a powerful reminder of the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering and the extraordinary efforts behind each rescue. The climber’s bravery and composure in extreme conditions were remarkable.”
From 2025