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Plasse Resort Hiker
June 2007
A 65-year-old experienced male hiker was reported missing near Silver Lake and separated from his overnight hiking party. There was an Amador County mutual aid callout on June 10, 2007, to which volunteers from several counties responded. The subject was found on the second full day of the search.
The subject was located in good shape just before 2:00 p.m. on June 11 in the center of the area bounded by the Beebee Lakes, several miles east of Silver Lake. This was a happy outcome that most of us had not dared hope for.
He had gotten lost because, despite being experienced outdoors and familiar with the area, his instincts had led him east instead of west. Worse, when his compass said he was going the wrong way, he disregarded it. He made the same mistake pilots sometimes do--he didn't trust his instruments. Fortunately he was equpped with his own sleeping bags and those of his two friends (he was supposed to carry them back to the car).
When he realized that he was lost, he stayed put, though he said it was hard to do. This probably accounts for the lack of clues. He had a fire burning all the time and when the helicopter showed up, he threw pine needles on it to make smoke. That's what led the helicopter to him. Smart. There was nowhere to land so they had to hoist him on a cable and a winch.
El Dorado County contributed 20+ people on June 11 alone (OHV, Management, Foot, and Mounted units), plus the communications van and a portable repeater. There were several other counties represented also. The helicopter (call sign - Spartan 964) was from Fallon Naval Air Station, I believe. Ione Fire Department provided great food. Plasse's Resort made a comfortable (and scenic) base camp.
Amador expressed their heartfelt thanks for all the support. Without it, the outcome might not have been the same.
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