Officials have reported that a hiker who was left paralyzed after being bitten in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains last week has been rescued. The hiker was able to relay her location just before her phone died, enabling rescue crews to safely locate her.
According to a social media post by Inyo County Search & Rescue officials, a woman had to abandon the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada’s Taboose Pass due to excessive snow. While fetching water from a creek, she was bitten by an insect that she initially believed to be a spider.
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Rescue officials stated that the hiker, whose identity was not disclosed, reported the inability to feel the skin on her legs and was unable to proceed with her hike down. She managed to contact rescue officials around 6:30 p.m. and shared her coordinates before her phone’s battery died.
Officials have reported that the county’s search and rescue team reached the trailhead shortly before midnight and carefully guided the individual down the challenging portion of the trail with ropes to ensure her safety. The team then transported her to a more secure area of the trail, about a quarter mile away from her location, via a wheeled litter that had been previously stored.
No information was provided regarding the condition of the woman.
The SAR department disclosed that almost 50% of the distress calls they receive are from individuals whose phone batteries are about to die. Hence, they encourage hikers to bring power banks for their phones or satellite messaging devices to avoid this kind of situation.
The Department emphasized that Taboose Pass trail, along with Sawmill, Baxter, and Shepherd Pass Trails, are significantly less maintained compared to other trails in the Sierra. They caution hikers that they may come across challenging sections, route finding difficulties, and steep grades. It is important to stay alert and be prepared for these obstacles while on these trails.
