SAR finds lost snowboarder

A visiting snowboarder found himself lost on Mammoth Mountain on Jan. 18 after he unknowingly crossed the western edge of the ski are boundary.

David Joseph, age 27, of Crystal Heights, Calif., was snowboarding by himself when he lost his way. The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was called out to assist him after he was able to contact his father by cell phone.  His father notified Ski Patrol of his son’s predicament, but  Ski Patrol were unable to find him as Joseph reported that he thought he was somewhere inside the ski area boundary.

The SAR Team was able to pinpoint his location by having him call 911.  The California Highway Patrol dispatch center in Bishop received the cell phone call and was able to obtain a global position system (GPS) location reading from his cell phone.  Ski patrollers were then directed to his location just outside the ski area boundary and assisted Joseph back to the ski area.  The patrollers and Joseph were then transported back to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge by snowcat where he was reunited with his father. –MCSD/LAK