18-year-old solo climber stranded on ledge near Tahoe, rescuers say
An 18-year-old solo climber ascending a peak near Lake Tahoe found himself stranded on a ledge near the summit, local rescuers reported.
Rescuers learned about the trapped climber at about 3 p.m. on Nov. 11, the El Dorado County Sheriff Office’s Tahoe Search and Rescue team wrote in a Monday, Nov. 17, post on Facebook.
The climber was stuck on Jake’s Peak on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, rescuers said.
The trek to Jake’s Peak is a “hard” hike with a “nice, steep descent” and 2,263 feet of elevation gain, according to hiking website AllTrails.com.
How was climber stranded near Lake Tahoe rescued?
After receiving a call for help, a rescue team with rope gear began climbing the mountain toward the trapped climber, according to the Facebook post.
The El Dorado Sheriff’s Office also called on the California Highway Patrol’s Auburn Air Unit for assistance, officials said.
A CHP helicopter lowered a rescuer to the climber, then hoisted both of them to safety, Tahoe Search and Rescue said.
The helicopter lowered the two to flat ground, rescuers said.
The climber was “uninjured and able to hike out from the top of the mountain to his car,” Tahoe Search and Rescue said via Facebook.
How to be prepared while climbing or hiking
If you’re planning to hike or climb, the National Park Service says there are 10 essentials you should take:
- Navigation: Pack a map, compass and GPS. Make sure you study your route beforehand and understand how to use the tools.
- Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat can help protect your skin and eyes from UV rays.
- Insulation: A jacket, hat, gloves, raincoat and thermal underwear can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
- Illumination: A flashlight, lantern and headlamp can create light if you get stuck in the dark — and don’t forget to pack extra batteries.
- First-aid supplies: It’s a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand while hiking. Check the expiration date on items before you pack them.
- Fire: Matches and a lighter can help start fire to act as an emergency signal in times of need.
- Repair kit and tools: Duct tape, a knife, screwdriver and scissors can be helpful if items break during your hike or you need assistance.
- Nutrition: You should pack an extra day’s worth of food in case something goes wrong. Park officials recommend having “salty and easy to digest snacks.”
- Hydration: You should drink water often and before you feel thirsty if you’re hiking in hot weather. Keeping your body hydrated is “of utmost importance,” park officials said.
- Emergency shelter: Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp and bivy can help you be prepared if severe weather breaks out or your plan takes a turn.