Unprepared hikers keep rescue teams busy

El Dorado County search and rescue teams were busy this weekend with people not equipped for the wilderness.

“All incidents were treated with high urgency, as none of these hikers was prepared for the cold temperatures we are experiencing,” Deputy Greg Almos told Lake Tahoe News. “All incidents involved inexperienced, not prepared day hikers. None of them had flashlights or light sources for nighttime travel.”

On Nov. 15 a couple in their late 30s got lost hiking down from Mt. Tallac. SAR volunteers had to hike into the area near Gilmore Lake and rescue them.

On Nov. 16 at about 3:30pm deputies got a call about two hikers lost near Cascade Falls. They were determined to be close to the falls near the trail. A deputy hiked in to get them.

At the same time, SAR got a call from a couple in their late 50s who got lost coming down Pyramid Creek Trail, aka Horsetail Falls. SAR volunteers were used to recover them due the technical steep location.

“In all incidents we used cell phone technology consisting of obtaining GPS coordinates from their 911 calls. This has proven to be very valuable, as it expedites our response significantly, preventing cold related illnesses,” Almos said

— Lake Tahoe News staff report