Industry News
A 35-year-old snowboarder who disappeared during a snowstorm at Mountain High Resort in California was found alive on Tuesday after surviving two nights in freezing temperatures without proper winter gear or supplies.
Malachi Luis Garcia, a Los Angeles County resident, became separated from his group while snowboarding Sunday afternoon. Heavy snowfall and low visibility complicated his attempts to navigate back to the resort. Garcia’s phone was left behind in his vehicle, leaving him unable to call for help. Mountain High Resort saw 4″ of snow on Sunday and 12″ on Monday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department launched an intensive search operation involving drones, ground teams, and a rescue helicopter. On Tuesday morning, deputies aboard Air Rescue 5 spotted fresh footprints near Bear Gulch, approximately four miles from the resort. Following the tracks, they located Garcia in a canyon known as a “canyon to nowhere,” where all exits lead uphill.
Deputy Casey Cheshier, who participated in the rescue, described Garcia as exhausted but relieved. “He wasn’t panicking, but he was emotional and just happy to be found,” Cheshier said. Despite wearing only a hoodie, snowboard pants, and boots, Garcia was uninjured but transported to a hospital for evaluation.
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Garcia told rescuers he survived by staying in motion during the day and seeking shelter under large trees at night. He drank stream water to keep hydrated and left tracks in the snow to aid search efforts. The San Gabriel Mountains had recorded over a foot of snow during the storm, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the single digits.
Officials praised Garcia’s resilience but emphasized the dangers of venturing into remote areas without proper equipment. “It’s a miracle he came out of this without frostbite or serious injuries,” Deputy Orlando Martinez said.
