CHINA LAKE, Calif., –Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Air Test and Evaluation squadron (VX) 31 search and rescue (SAR) responded to an urgent call Friday, Nov. 11. Death Valley National Park Service (DVNPS) rangers notified VX-31 SAR of five overdue hikers in the vicinity of Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park. The SAR crew comprised Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Gilbert, Lt. Daniel Cabrales, AWS1 Anthony Michalski, and AWS2 Erik Potter.

DVNPS was notified when the hikers failed to return to work on Nov. 10, one day after they were expected. Two vehicles were found - one at the trailhead and another at the end of the trail - with notes detailing their expected hiking route and timeline. The hikers had planned to climb Telescope Peak and then hike down Hall Canyon to return to their car.

VX-31 SAR flew one of their MH-60S helicopters and rendezvoused with DVNPS at Stovepipe Wells airport at 7:00 a.m. By the time SAR arrived, two hikers, independent of the missing three, were located after they hiked out of the canyon. Three remaining hikers were still missing, their condition unknown.

The SAR team commenced an aerial search from the top of Telescope Peak, down Hall Canyon. At the completion of the Hall Canyon search, the SAR helicopter traveled north, searching adjacent canyons.

The three lost hikers, two male and one female, were located approximately one third of the length down Jail Canyon, huddled beside a campfire. Helicopter Inland Rescue Aircrewman (HIRA) AWS2 Erik Potter rappelled from the helicopter to the hikers below and assessed their condition. All three hikers were hoisted up to the helicopter by means of a Rescue Basket, while the pilots of the MH-60S maintained a continuous hover overhead. After all the victims were aboard, Potter followed by hoist recovery. The SAR crew then transported the lost hikers to a location in Panamint Valley and released them to awaiting DVNPS rangers.

The trio became lost when they accidentally diverted from their intended hiking route onto a difficult path. Fortunately, they came prepared with tents, food and water; when they were located they had already implemented supply rations to mitigate the consequences of any potential future emergency.

This search and rescue effort was the first for Cabrales, who checked in to VX-31 only five months ago, after a tour of duty in a sea-going MH-60 squadron.