On June 25, at approximately 6:36 p.m. hours, members of the Altadena Search and Rescue Team were called out to an area of Eaton Canyon, where two hikers were stuck on a ridge on the side of a cliff. The hikers, who were trying to find a waterfall, had wondered off trail at Acrophobia Ridge toward Power Line Trail. Family members contacted Downey Police Department when the hikers did not return home, and Downey P.D. relayed the information to the Sheriff’s Department. At 2020 hours, the Montrose and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Teams were called out to assist Altadena Search and Rescue, as the position of the hikers was extremely precarious and dangerous. The expertise of all three teams was needed to handle the sophisticated operation that used harnesses to pull the hikers off the ridge and to safety. The operation ended in the early morning hours. There were no reported injuries.

Search and Rescue Team members are Reserve Sheriff’s deputies who volunteer their time to help others for $1 a year, and who partner with sheriff’s civilian volunteers who volunteer for free. There are over 150 members of the eight Search and Rescue teams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. These rescuers were activated for over 450 search and rescue missions last year, making it one of the most active counties for search and rescue missions in the nation. Reserve deputies and civilian volunteers are supervised by full-time sheriff’s deputies. http://lasdreserve.org

*Enjoy Nature – Plan your Hike by filling out the Sheriff’s Department’s HIKING PLAN SHEET:
Hiking/Camping is a fun way to get family and friends together to enjoy the outdoors and to get some physical activity. However, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Before you leave, please fill out Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue – Hiking Plan sheet and provide it to a loved one to hold onto just in case something happens to a member of your hiking/camping expedition. You can download the form by visiting:
http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_163961.pdf