Dale Matson
Miyuki was on a Sierra Club backpacking trip in the Sierra National Forest. They were on a
day hike to Horsehead Lake (10,394’) when she became separated from the group. The
lake is about 20 miles west of Courtright Reservoir near the Blackcap Basin.
This area abuts the western boundary of Kings Canyon National Park. The search
was a multiagency effort with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office in command of
the search.
She was injured with broken bones and could not walk. She
was able to crawl to a water source where she could use a filter but had no
food for the nine days she was lost.
The nine-day search ended with searchers hearing her whistle
for help. Despite the ongoing smoke problems from the Rough Fire nearby, the
CHP helicopter was able to find a path through to land and take her to the hospital
in Fresno. The smoke also hindered the insertion of searchers who had
to hike in 20 miles to the search area because the helicopters could not fly
through the smoke.
I was not a part of this search because of health reasons
but applaud my Fresno County SAR teammates for their effort and persistence
under difficult circumstances in high altitude, smoke and challenging terrain.
It is always rewarding to hear of someone being found alive
after such a long period and searchers will remain optimistic, keeping this
experience in mind during future searches. Thanks also to the other agencies
who participated. A search of this magnitude for a lost individual under these
extreme circumstances, once again, demonstrates the value law enforcement
officers and civilian volunteers put on human lives.
Here is a link to the story from the Fresno Bee. http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article32745777.html.
