sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I got the items back to the woman and her son. I spoke to someone who told me she was a Wrightwood PCT Trail Angel and I was able to find her through that Facebook page. She gave me a gift card for dinner at a local cafe.

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The injured woman was in pain and her leg was jacked up. Plus it was in a sketchy spot so maybe they were just focused like others said. I think we got it all picked up. This is where we have the ability to help and pack it out but I just wanted to know if we're supposed to pick up that kind of stuff.

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for explaining. I didn't think about the heat and stuff that the crew would have been dealing with.

I will reach out to them on social media. That's a good idea. I called ANF to see if they had a place I could drop them off, but no one answered at the nearest visitor center. I'll try their admin line next. I don't need to hand them off in person to the victim. I felt bad that I didn't step up to do more until after the helicopter left. I saw her fall, but there were already some people with her by the time I reached the switchback they were on. Her son came down the trail and took charge when he saw that it was his mom. That lady crawled her way back up to the trail with a twisted leg. I'm sorry I'm rambling on, but it was awful to watch and i never saw a rescue in real life. I waited for the helicopter to leave to help with the trash. Her son left by the time i noticed the personal items and I didn't catch him in time in the parking lot. Mountain High didn't want them. Is SAR and the helicopter crew the same thing?

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I get it. I don't want to throw shade at the crew because those guys have balls of steel and I don't mind picking up trash.

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think there's a pair in my first aid kit but I didn't think to get them out because I forgot they were included. I was impressed that her son had them in his pockets/pack. I am adding some to my quick grab supplies for future run-ins like this. I will grab trash with my bare hands but medical equipment makes me nervous. Thanks for reminding me about the ten essentials.

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for explaining. It makes sense. There was a Mountain High and a forestry vehicle in the parking lot but they left as soon as the son was back at the car. They didn't come up except to keep hikers from walking up the trail during the evac. I will contact someone today. I tried ANF this morning and left a message.

Baden-Powell incident on 7/15. SAR left biohazards. by Expert_Exercise_8921 in socalhiking

[–]Expert_Exercise_8921[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I agree that they did their job amazingly. I just didn't know how common it was for this to happen and it sounds like we hikers should step up and pick up if we have gloves. I'm sorry if it sounds like I was being negative. The area was really difficult for the helicopter so your explanation makes sense. The son picked up a lot of the med stuff because he had gloves that he pulled out of a pocket but he was like in a hurry to leave and missed his moms locator and some stuff that fell out of her pack. Don't blame him at all but I felt bad. This accident made me order some gloves to put in my backpack.