July 17, 2023 - Yosemite National Park officials report on rescues in the park last month.

YNP: Have you ever run into rangers on the trail and wondered what they were up to?

Last month, PSAR (preventive search and rescue) rangers were stationed at the Half Dome permit checkpoint when they received a call about a hiker experiencing stroke symptoms at the Little Yosemite Valley backpackers campground, located about four miles and 2,000 feet from the Valley floor. Rangers jumped into action, hiking 3.5 miles from the checkpoint to the campground, where they evaluated the hiker, and decided to request that the park helicopter come in to transport the patient. From the park helibase in Crane Flat, the hiker was taken by an air ambulance to a hospital stroke center. After ensuring the hiker was safely loaded onto the helicopter, the PSAR rangers continued down the Mist Trail to the Valley floor, assisting along the way in a search for a minor separated from his family during a hike (who has since been safely reunited). On this particular day, the PSAR rangers involved hiked a total of 22 miles over a 15-hour day.

A huge thanks to these skilled and determined rangers for keeping our staff and visitors safe!

Source & photo: YNP