Hiker rescued from Monterey County State Park after becoming hypothermic during storms

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Hiker rescued from Monterey County State Park after becoming hypothermic during storms

Braving heavy storms and

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, emergency responders spent nearly 12 hours on a rescue mission in Monterey County on Thursday to save a hiker who became hypothermic while visiting a state park.

At about noon on Feb. 13, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received an SOS call from a hiker’s GPS device indicating they were hypothermic and needed help.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team coordinates 12-hour rescue operation during atmospheric river conditions to rescue hiker on Feb. 13, 2025, in Andrew Molera State Park.

The signal was coming from a trail at Andrew Molera State Park, east of Highway 1, according to the sheriff’s office report on the incident.

A multi-agency response team that consisted of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, along with CalFire, Big Sur Fire, Urban Search and State Parks was mobilized.

Rescuers covered 8 miles of very steep and rugged trails reaching 4,000 feet in elevation to reach the hiker.

Extreme weather conditions due to the atmospheric river that was over the region made the rescue mission even more challenging, law enforcement officials said.

“The weather conditions on February 13th, were not favorable for hiking, making this situation dangerous, not only for the public, but for our rescuers as well,” Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said in a statement.

The area was under a winter storm watch with heavy downpours and strong winds resulting in widespread flooding across the Central Coast in parts of Salinas, the Carmel Valley and Watsonville. The National Weather Service had issued a series of flood advisories for the region.

Atmospheric river slams California:

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Rescuers located the hiker shortly after 5:30 p.m. and put out a request for assistance from California Highway Patrol’s H-70 helicopter for the return trip.

The helicopter responded but had to turn back due to weather conditions.

Ultimately, the hiker was carried back down the trail and transferred to a waiting ambulance at about 12 p.m. midnight, about 12 hours after the rescue operation began.

The sheriff’s office wants to remind residents and guests of the county to be aware of their abilities when setting out on hikes and to always carry proper supplies, wear appropriate clothing and consider weather conditions.

This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian:

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