The sheriff's Montrose Search and Rescue Team found and choppered out an Anaheim man on Monday who had gotten lost in the Angeles National Forest over the weekend.
Scott Gossard was extracted by the Air Rescue 5 chopper after rescue team members found him in a rocky and icy area between Twin Peaks and Triplet Rocks. Gossard had left for a weekend hiking trip Thursday night, expecting to return Saturday. He was reported missing by his mother Monday. His vehicle was located at about 8 AM Monday morning.
According to a sheriff's department press release, after being unable to find him by helicopter alone, Air 5 dropped two rescue team members down on a line from the helicopter into the difficult terrain. The team members spotted Gossard and began verbal communication with him, and Gossard and the rescue team members were extracted by helicopter.
According to the press release, "Gossard told the rescue team he lost his map, became disoriented, and could not find his way out of the area. His supply of drinking water became low, so he fed on snow to hydrate himself. Fortunately, he was not injured and was able to drive himself home."
“What most likely saved his life, was that he is an experienced hiker and knew the importance of informing his family of when he intended to return, and very specifically where he would be hiking,” said Sheriff’s Reserve Chief Mike Leum.
UPDATE: So how did they track him?
"The deputies knew what the soles of his climber’s boots looked like, because his family had emailed photos of the boots to the Sheriff’s Department (pictured). They had retained the pictures of the boots because he is a frequent hiker and they were concerned that one day he might be missing during a hike."
