Summer is a busy time for the Mono County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team and this year is no exception. Most recently, SAR responded to an ill climber and an injured hiker.

On July 25, a call for an ill climber at Mt. Morrison came in. SAR responded to Horace Gates, 50, of Ridgecrest, Calif. who had camped with friends at the 8,971 foot base of Morrison, near a tarn on the east slope. The group had planned to climb the peak the following morning. However, Gates awoke feeling ill with vertigo, according to a press release from the Mono County Sheriff’s Department, and the group requested help. The SAR grounds team met with Gates as he was being walked back to his vehicle by his friends. He declined medical aid.

On July 31 and Aug. 1, SAR responded to the call of a hiker unable to walk at Shadow Lake. Derrick Carbiener, 21, of McKinleyville, Calif. had injured his ankle and knee while hiking with his father. The team was called out to assist Carbiener on July 31 and was able to reach him the following morning. Carbiener was taken to Agnew Meadows Trailhead using a wheeled litter, and was then taken to Mammoth Hospital for treatment. —LAK/Mono County Press Releases