As sun set in the Tahoe backcountry, a splitboarder got ditched by his riding partner who didn’t want to wait for him and ultimately required an emergency rescue in the dark.
The incident happened in South Lake Tahoe on December 29th near the junction of the Warr Trail and Saxon Creek Trail. The abandoned snowboarder was left with alone, miles away from any trailhead and with no headlamp or knowledge of how to get back to civilization. He eventually called 911 and his location was confirmed during a flyover by an El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office rescue helicopter.
A ski rescue team skinned up to his location and reached him around 10pm. The abandoned snowboarder was provided with hot chocolate, water, warm clothing and a headlamp. The group then rode down to the trailhead and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office gave him a ride to his hotel.
Suffice it to say that ditching your riding partner in the backcountry because they were going to slow is frowned upon. Thankfully the snowboarder made it out safely. Word to the wise, be very careful who you ride with, you never know who is going to bail when the going gets rough.
Tahoe Search and Rescue Statement:
The ski team was called out to rescue a lost split boarder near the junction of the Warr Trail and Saxon Creek Trail (aka Mr Toads). The subject and his friend had made their way up from Hwy 89 and were riding downhill as darkness was setting in. The friend didn’t want to wait and left the subject alone, several miles from any trailhead, with no light and little understanding of how to navigate the terrain. The subject called 911 around 5pm.
A ski rescue team of two left Christmas Valley around 7:30pm and skinned up the Warr Trail to reach the subject. El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office rescue helicopter, Echo 1, assisted by confirming the subject’s location during a flyover. The rescue team reached the subject around 10pm and provided hot chocolate, water, a headlamp, and warm layers. They guided the subject, a capable rider, back down to Christmas Valley. The mission concluded with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office providing the subject with a ride back to his hotel after midnight.
Heading out for a backcountry ride without proper navigation and survival gear can go well…until it doesn’t. This party was not prepared for anything but an ideal scenario. Our subject was lucky to have cell phone coverage and just enough battery to use it to call for help. Even very skilled riders can get lost, stuck, or injured. Stay with your friends and have a plan for when things go wrong. We are here to help when you need it, but rescues always take a long time!
About El Dorado County Sheriff Search and Rescue Tahoe Team:
The El Dorado County Sheriff Search and Rescue – Tahoe Team is one of the busiest backcountry rescue teams in the country. Our team of professionally trained volunteers provide search and rescue services to the residence and visitors of El Dorado County. With over a million acres of forest land, EDSAR responds to overdue and injured people night and day in all weather conditions.A partial list of our capabilities includes:
- Technical Rope Rescue
- Technical Snow & Ice Travel
- Mechanized Snow Travel
- Basic Medical Care
- Water Rescue (Lake Tahoe)
- K9 Search
- Helicopter Insert & Evacuation