This article brought to you by The Historic Sky Forest Inn and Kaila Brooks, Realtor with CB Skyridge
Article, photos and video credit Malia Dietz, Raymond Ray and Austin Raishbrook, RMG News
Final update from the scene 1:50 am
The 50 year old subject of a Search and Rescue operation has been successfully rescued. Dustin Wagenbach of Simi Valley, California, who was skiing at Snow Valley Ski Resort spent almost 12 hours in the wilderness after getting disoriented in heavy fog.
Authorities were able to reach the stranded skier at 8:20 pm. The rescue team was able to bring him to safety much faster than originally expected. A full moon aided rescuers as they traversed boulders, rocky outcroppings and rappelled cliff sides near waterfalls and finally climbed out of a steep walled canyon early Friday morning. Dustin was not injured during the ordeal.
According to statements made in an exclusive interview with Mr. Wagenbach, he became disoriented when heavy fog rolled in across the resort slopes, severely limiting visibility. “I couldn’t even see the tips of my skis,” he said while describing the severe fog. As he attempted to continue skiing to the base of the ski resort, he mistakenly navigated his way into a canyon east of the resort, descending almost a mile into a steep gorge.
He was transported back to the Snow Valley Ski Resort where a crew from Medic Ambulance 50 with Running Springs Fire checked on his physical well being. Aside from being wet and cold Mr. Wagenbach was not injured and was grateful for the professional and efficient rescue conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Search and Rescue team in cooperation with the Snow Valley Resort Ski Patrol Staff.
Update from the scene: 1:06 am
According to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff at the scene, the 50 year old male has been found. Rescuers reportedly made contact with the man around 8:20 pm. The Search and Rescue team was unable to scale the cliffs back up to the Snow Valley Resort due to the steep and difficult terrain.
Topographic maps illustrate the steep terrain rescuers are working through
The rescue is taking place in a deep canyon gorge east of the resort. A network of creeks line the bottom of the canyon. Radio traffic has repeatedly mentioned “Siberia Creek.”
Siberia Creek at the bottom of a steep canyon east of Snow Valley Resort.
The IC (Incident Command) is posted at Glory Ridge in the Arctic Circle, a section of Highway 18 west of the Big Bear Dam. This is allowing the Search and Rescue teams better radio communications. According to a witness at the IC, the terrain is extremely treacherous, allowing the rescue team to move approximately 50 feet per hour. The rescuers and the victim are expected to continue hiking through the night to make their way up the steep canyon wall.
The IC (Incident Command) stationed at Glory Ridge in the Arctic Circle on Highway 18 West of the Big Bear Dam.
The man’s family members remained at Snow Valley Resort awaiting his rescue and return. Due to the extended rescue effort lasting longer than expected, resort staff has taken the family to an undisclosed location to seek accommodations for the night.
As of 12:40 am, the rescue team is estimated to exit the canyon with the victim around 7:00 am. Information on injuries sustained by the rescuee and information regarding the circumstances of the cause of this incident have not yet been released by officials.
Original story:
On Thursday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of a missing person at Snow Valley Ski Resort.
Based on a statement from Snow Valley, the ski resort staff is assisting rescuers who are searching for a 50 year old male who apparently lost his way out of bounds of the normal ski runs.
Mountain Reporter has staff on scene and will update this article as details continue to unfold.
thanks for the in depth report. glad all is good