Lake Tahoe Search and Rescue calls on the rise

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though the busy summer season is over, those hiking in the mountains around Lake Tahoe needing help getting to safety are on the rise.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) team has been busy this fall, responding to almost double the number of calls.

From September 1 to October 30, 2016, the SAR volunteers responded to 12 incidents. So far in 2017 during the period, they are been called out 22 times.

"We are noticing a high percentage of calls involving inexperience and not being prepared," explains El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputy Greg Almos who coordinates the emergency tasks for the South Lake Tahoe area including SAR, boats and wildfire responses.

Many hikers in the high country and setting out on their day's hike during mild day time temperatures, but its still cold once the sun goes down, catching many by surprise.

Almos said their volunteers have been involved in much riskier rescues

On October 23, two hikers had set out for a day long, round trip hike to Mt. Tallac. During their hike, they became disoriented due to patches of snow left from a previous storm, which resulted in them becoming lost. As darkness fell, they decided to hike down the east side of Mt. Tallac, which is very steep and consists of loose shale rock. Becoming fatigued and lacking proper light to continue, the couple decided to stay in place and call 911 for help. SAR volunteers climbed to the top of Tallac and then rappelled down the face to get to the couple, getting them into a harness to be plucked from the mountain by a CHP helicopter.

SAR responds to an average of 150-200 calls a year with volunteers involved in a high percentage of them. Deputies respond to the rest.

Most of the incidents Almos and his team respond due involve day hikers who venture out unprepared. He recommends the following tips:

Have a plan and stick to it.
Inform someone of the plan and what to do if you are overdue.
Take a charged cell phone and do not use it unless its an emergency. So many stranded hikers are found because of the cell's signal.
Have a light source and the most recommended is a headlamp.
Take a layer of clothing and items for comfort like bug repellent or any required medications.
If cold is in the forecast, take something to build a fire. Fire can be the difference between life and death and can be an attractant.

When someone recognizes they are disoriented or lost, they should find a safe location out in the open, said Almos. "Remain calm and stay put," he said. "Wandering makes our job very difficult.

"Be prepared to be uncomfortable and survive," added Almos. "We will come get you."

At times, it is determined that a helicopter will be called out on the rescue. This depends on a lot of factors according to Almos. Anything involving a medical emergency or illness will normally bring out the helicopter, depending on the weather, as well as a situation where SAR volunteer safety is in question.

As in last week's rescue, helicopters are used to locate victims and provide navigational aid to troops on the ground. Most incidents are reported by 911 and typically, if a smartphone is involved, SAR receive GPS coordinates of where that call was made from. These GPS coordinates may not always be accurate, so they use a helicopter to ensure those coordinates are correct. This is to maximize the efficiency of ground teams on the ground.

Enjoy the outdoors in Lake Tahoe and hopefully you won't need Almos and his well trained team of deputies and volunteers, but take comfort knowing they are there if needed.