Yosemite Rescues - NPS Morning Report
Mike Shutters
99-260 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue
Park dispatch received a report of possible overdue climbers in need of a
rescue at 7 a.m. on June 3rd. Luke Arnott and Justin Durant were attempting
the Regular Route on the Northwest Face of Half Dome when they were caught
in
a winter storm, causing them to be one day overdue. The reporting party
said
that the two men had no sleeping bags, had never climbed a big wall, and had
never climbed with each other before. While the park receives reports of
overdue climbers every day, this one was of special concern due to the
current weather conditions, their lack of experience and their lack of
equipment. It appeared that Arnott and Durant were near the top of the
route
and unable to complete the climb due to the winter storm conditions. A
size-
up team was unable to locate them from the ground due to low clouds in the
area. Helicopter 551 was ordered for an air search of the face. The
climbers were located one pitch from the top; both were signaling for a
rescue. A technical team, headed by ranger Keith Lober, was flown to the
top
of Half Dome as soon as visibility permitted. Rescuer Jeff Follett was
lowered to the climbers, who were literally frozen to the wall. Both were
suffering from hypothermia and mild frost nip to their hands and feet. Once
they were freed from the wall, they were able to ascend the ropes to the top
of Half Dome with the assistance of the technical team. Due to the lack of
visibility, the climbers had to hike down to the shoulder of Half Dome,
where
they were evacuated by helicopter to the Valley floor. They were both
treated and released by on-scene physician Dr. Desmond Kidd. [Mary Hinson,
IC, 6/11]
99-261 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Rescue
On the morning of June 4th, dispatch received a report of a climber who had
taken a fall on El Capitan. The climber, Robert Shibao, was reported to be
in serious condition, with possible injuries to his head and spine.
Rescuers
Werner and Merry Braun ascended 600 feet up fixed lines to Sickle ledge,
Shibao sitting. He had taken a 60-foot leader fall while attempting the
pitch above Sickle Ledge. Shibao, who was wearing a helmet, fell upside
down, hitting his head as well as both sides of his body. He complained of
pain to his neck and shoulders. Rangers Mary Hinson and John Dill heli-
rapelled to Sickle Ledge and prepared Shibao for a short-haul evacuation.
Shibao was flown to El Capitan meadow, where he was met by an ambulance and
transported to the park clinic. He was treated for bi-lateral anterior
dislocated shoulders and released. [Grady Bryant, IC, 6/11]