Hikers stranded by high waters, snow

Two hikers intending to circumnavigate Shadow Lake on July 3 had to be evacuated by the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team because of high waters and steep, snowy terrain in the area. When Olesya Oleynik, 25, and Sergey Belostotskiy, 28, both of Sunnyvale, Calif. were unable to complete their first route and climbed uphill into the Glady’s Lake area instead. They hiked cross-country along the outlet stream with the intention of reaching the San Joaquin River but were unable to continue due to cliffs and snow, and their jeans becoming soaked to the waist. They called for assistance via cell phone at approximately 8:30 p.m. Three field teams hiked in from Agnew Meadows and located the subjects at 4 a.m. The teams bivouacked until daylight then climbed back up to Glady’s Lake with Oleynik and Belostotskiy and then south toward Devils Postpile during which time Oleynik sprained her ankle twice. The party encountered a difficult stream crossing at Minaret Creek above Minaret Falls where the bridge had washed out. Relief teams with swift water equipment, inflatable raft, and a wheeled litter for Oleynik were dispatched to assist.