A splitboarder had to be rescued from the backcountry in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains on December 29 after his friend left him behind. El Dorado County Search and Rescue (EDSAR) teams responded to the distress call near the junction of Warr Trail and Saxon Creek Trail, also known as Mr. Toads, at around 5 p.m.
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The two splitboarders had descended from Highway 89 at dusk. As darkness descended, one rider didn’t want to wait and abandoned his partner several miles from the nearest trailhead without a light source or navigational knowledge.
Abandoned in Saxon Creek 12/29/24
The ski team was called out to rescue a lost splitboarder near the junction of the Warr Trail and Saxon Creek Trail (aka Mr Toads). The subject and his friend had made their way up from Hwy 89 and were riding downhill as darkness was setting in. The friend didn’t want to wait and left the subject alone, several miles from any trailhead, with no light and little understanding of how to navigate the terrain. The subject called 911 around 5 p.m.
A ski rescue team of two left Christmas Valley around 7:30 p.m. and skinned up the Warr Trail to reach the subject. @eldoradosheriff rescue helicopter, Echo 1, assisted by confirming the subject’s location during a flyover. The rescue team reached the subject around 10pm and provided hot chocolate, water, a headlamp, and warm layers. They guided the subject, a capable rider, back down to Christmas Valley. The mission concluded with @eldoradosheriff providing the subject with a ride back to his hotel after midnight.
Heading out for a backcountry ride without proper navigation and survival gear can go well…until it doesn’t. This party was not prepared for anything but an ideal scenario. Our subject was lucky to have cell phone coverage and just enough battery to use it to call for help. Even very skilled riders can get lost, stuck, or injured. Stay with your friends and have a plan for when things go wrong. We are here to help when you need it, but rescues always take a long time!
EDSAR’s ski rescue team began its ascent up the Warr Trail from Christmas Valley at approximately 7:30 p.m. During a flyover, the El Dorado Sheriff’s rescue helicopter, Echo 1, confirmed the rider’s location.
After a three-hour climb, rescuers reached the lost splitboarder around 10 p.m. Before guiding him back to Christmas Valley, they supplied hot chocolate, water, a headlamp, and additional warm layers. The operation finished after midnight when the El Dorado Sheriff transported the rider to his hotel.
EDSAR emphasized that even skilled riders can face unexpected challenges, stressing the need for adequate navigation tools, survival gear, and a solid emergency plan.
The avalanche rating for the day was ‘considerable’ with up to seven inches of snow falling and high winds on the ridgetops.
EDSAR Tahoe is an all-volunteer professional rescue team supported by a non-profit 501(c)3 organization operating in cooperation with and under the authority of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. Search and rescue services are free in El Dorado County and made possible thanks to donations that directly support its volunteer rescuers.
Just dumb people with no experience whatsoever. The dumb phq that left his buddy should pay for his stupidity. It’s more then just buying backcountry shit and no education on how to use it properly these are Tahoes new remote workers that are absolutely clueless. DAM !!!