Hiker Hoist Rescued While Hanging From a Snow Covered Ridge

Staff Writer

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

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MT. BALDY – A 34-year-old Irvine woman was rescued while hanging from a steep area of the Devil’s Backbone area of Mt. Baldy on Monday afternoon. At around 3:35 p.m. the woman, identified by Sheriff’s officials as Jennifer Fujita was hiking with her brother down the Devil’s Backbone Trail near Mt. Baldy Summit at the 9200’ level. As the pair hiked down, Fujita lost her footing and slid down approximately 50 feet down the snow-covered ridge. Sheriff’s officials said that Fujita then used her ice ax to prevent her from falling down the steep rocky ridge.

Fujita’s brother called 911 and was able to provide the GPS location and the clothing description for himself and his sister. The Sheriff’s helicopter was dispatched in an attempt to locate the victim and found her on the steep ridge. Air Rescue 307 was called to the scene to conduct the high-risk hoist rescue. When they arrived they determined that a technical pick off hoist rescue would be necessary. In the high winds, the helicopter hovered over the victim.

Fire Captain Eric Spies was lowered down on the hoist to the victim, disconnected her backpack allowing it to fall hundreds of feet down the slope. “Spies placed the victim into a “Hasty Rescue Harness” and secured the victim to himself on the hook,” Deputy E. Leon said in the news release. “Deputy Leon hoisted both Spies and the victim together up to and inside the aircraft.” The woman was flown to Cow Canyon Saddle to emergency medical personnel.

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