At about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Cabazon Station responded to the San Jacinto Mountains after receiving a call of a lost hiker.
Jeff Daubenmire, a resident of Washington, began his Pacific Crest Trail hike on April 2 in Mexico. On April 12, he became lost when he hiked off the main trail into a ravine.
After hours of attempting to locate the trail, Daubenmire eventually became stranded on a peak near Seven Pines and Azalea trails. Daubenmire, who had a cell phone, was able to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, stating he was stranded on a peak and was unable to hike down.
Personnel from the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit, State Park Rangers and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit assisted in the search. At 9 a.m., the aviation unit located Daubenmire, who was in good spirits, was not injured and refused medical treatment, and airlifted him off the mountain.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds hiking enthusiasts to carry proper equipment for any outdoor excursion. Proper preparedness includes a well-thought-out travel plan shared with friends and family, as well as familiarity with common hiking equipment, such as GPS, maps and compasses, proper clothing and plenty of water. RMRU offers several helpful, lifesaving tips at their website, www.rmru.org.
