Mike! Its me!!! The gal you saved. This video was so well done and helpful as it is very choppy in my mind. The amount of gratitude I have for you and Matt is indescribable. You saved me, my precious daughter and my good friend. Thank you for being answered prayer and being so selfless. I am fully recovered and back at the grind. There really aren't words to express how I feel. Thank you again.

This is Stephanie, the first lost hiker you came across. I was never so happy to see your headlamps coming yes, I thought you were our SAR, we were so cold and disoriented. Thank you for being kind to me and my friend and giving us the confidence, we needed to make it back. And thank you for helping our friend who was down and sharing your story. No doubt you both would have summited that day.

I’m a huge believer in fate. The universe prevented you from making it on attempt 1 so that you would come back on attempt 2 and be there on the mountain that night to save these people. Bravo to you and your brother! I’ll be watching for attempt 3!!!!

Thank you for helping my dad and friends down the mountain!! ❤️

I summited Whitney in 2015 and along the way saw people making this climb without a backpack and with only a 16 oz bottle of water. Several sitting along the trail with bloody noses, altitude sickness, dehydration, etc. It made me realize that proof of fitness and preparedness should be required in order to get a permit for this climb. Too many people just don’t take it seriously enough.

I am a respiratory therapist and an avid outdoorsman especially hiking. 75% oxygen saturation is extremely critical. You saved with the help of God this lady. Thank you for sharing this story. It’s so touching to hear how you and your friend were able to help this family in trouble. I have helped lost individuals,including myself, to get safely home. I’m also a wildlife first responder and you guys did an excellent job of figuring out how to get her the help she needed. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'm glad you guys did what you did. I've been in a similar situation on Whitney before. And I'd say for those trying to hike Whitney, you shouldn't be pushing yourself to the point where you can't even walk anymore.. Know you limits, pay attention to altitude sickness symptoms, and don't be afraid to play it safe and turn around. This isn't like pushing yourself through a marathon. This is harsh and rugged terrain. If the weather was different and a helicopter couldn't fly in, the injured hiker might have died.

Hiker in the LA area here. You saved a life for sure. People, these mountains are serious, especially in October for gosh sakes! If you feel bad at all, turn around! Muscles being tired is one thing; not being able to breathe is another! Turn around! Bravo for a great video.

Good of you to make the video to try and help educate. You might consider an addendum to the video to interview someone on a SAR team or with more experience dealing with AMS/HAPE/HACE. In this instance, you were far down the mountain, on a well-groomed, easy piece of trail, with lots of manpower. In the most difficult AMS/HACE/HAPE cases, you don't get that break. Step #1 is do everything you can to get the impaired person to aid in their own rescue. My first aid kit always has Dex and Diamox, and I've twice had to use it to get people off a mountain (once on Whitney, ironically). Electrolytes and emergency sugar source are a must. You will rarely find a person in that condition who isn't dehydrated and running an electrolyte imbalance. Get the hydration, electrolytes and sugar in. Then get the Dex and Diamox down. It's good that people take away that you've often got to get your subject to a suitable extraction location. At a minimum, that is helped greatly by a coherent subject (pray you don't ever wind up needing to get someone down off a mountain after AMS has taken them to the uncooperative hallucinatory stage), and the temporary boost in energy from the Dex and sugar is a big help. I have carried a Garmin for years. I have very mixed feelings about their widespread use. There are WAY too many people who take risks they otherwise wouldn't because they think they can "just press S.O.S." You were kind in your assessment, but the reality is, there are a lot of people on Whitney who have no business being there. If you can't make the commitment to properly prepare, do SAR and others whose climbs and hikes you will ruin a favor and stay home. Way, way too many out in the wilderness these days without a full sense of personal responsibility.

We attempted to summit on 10/1. Temp at Trail Camp was about 20 degrees at 4 AM departure. We made it about 1 mile past Trail Crest before "calling it" Blowing snow and single digit temps. Very slick conditions on the trail. We staggered back down the 99 switchbacks and flopped into our bags. I had a 0 degree down bag and I was cold. REALLY cold. We warmed in the bags until we could pack and made it to the portal at 6 pm. While it was difficult to abandon the hike, it was better to be safe :)

Fellas, that was a very good thing you did. And showing this video is an excellent reminder to fellow hikers that we all need to properly prepare. Get in shape, bring First aid, have a way to communicate, acclimate to the altitude, and bring emergency supplies. Thanks for the video.

I've been up Whitney several times in all different directions, but helping and saving a person's life is way more powerful and satisfying than any summit top. A story that will last a lifetime. Great job, and glad everyone is safe. #1 on the list should be know what you're getting yourself into, and know your limitations. Whitney is an easy hike for most experienced hikers up the main trail, but if weather / conditions change or if someone has issues with altitude, it can go from an easy trail hike to dangerous or deadly. Be aware that temperatures and conditions can change quickly in the Sierras.

Hello Mike, you were absolutely respectful how you documented this and it is very important for people to see. All folks in the hiking/climbing/mountaineering community need these reports. It is like the accidents and mountaineering American Alpine Club puts out every year or so. We truly do learn from each other and these things can happen to the best and most prepared and it often does. Mount Whitney will be there for you and you will be even more prepared and even more grateful when you reach that summit. Sometimes Mount Whitney can be enjoyable as a one day but don't be afraid to put in for an overnight or two. You can still give it the 24 hour but having that extra time can give you an extra shot if you have to stay put or come back due to weather or a rescue although after a morning like that I would probably need a day or two to decompress. My hat is off to you, Matt, and the others that helped and to the ones you helped. Hopefully they too will heal and get back out there. Thank you for sharing such a great story with everyone making it home safe.

Very tastefully done video, being sensitive to the victims, yet capturing the impromptu efforts taken to help other human beings in deep trouble. Thankfully, others pitched in to help along the way. When I go hiking, I always over-pack in order to increase my chances for survival, should I become lost, or injured. I also carry a Mini inReach 2, large capacity battery pack etc. It's all heavy, but puts me in a better position to self-rescue, if at all possible. Thanks for a great summary at the end, this is a great video for training. Best to you on your next attempt!

Tons of people summit mountains each day, but only so many can say they saved people's lives. Definitely a more impressive accomplishment than any mountain peak. Congrats on a very successful hike.

Mike, you and Matt, are compassion superheroes! Your selflessness to help others strengthens the bonds of the community of adventure seekers. Thank you both for your sacrifice

Thank you, Mike and Matt, for saving our friends. I am forever grateful for the selfless act, and bravery you demonstrated. Also, for educating the novice like me about how dangerous Whitney is and is required to be prepared. I was part of the lost party trying to get off the mountain. Thank you for pointing us in the right direction. 🙏🏻

Good job! A couple of suggestions for everyone. Sat phones are cheap these days and 'emergency only' plans are not much more than that for a Garmin. They are light and the battery lasts forever if turned off. Ditch the texting solutions and carry a Sat phone. Also take the NOLS wilderness first aid class. It is intended exactly for these situations. Will give you a lot of confidence. Again. Good job!

so cool that the hiking guy commented! watch his stuff all the time. Good job to you and your brother and your tips at the end are on point. Even in the best circumstances rescue takes way way longer than you might think. I was caught in an avalanche snowboading in Alaska a couple years ago, long story short I survived, I had major trauma and couldnt move. I could see the helicopter from where I ended up, the weather was perfect and even with the resources of guides and a helicopter on site I was not out of there for over 2 hours. Shit takes way more time than people might think.

You guys are true heroes. Hats off.

I watched this video sitting at the edge of my chair. You both guys are super heroes without cape. Truly Mt Whitney’s angels. Thank you very much. You both make this world much better place to live. Let your good karma bring peace and joy to your life.

FYI ChP helos are all a stars staffed with one pilot and one paramedic. They are ALS same as a paramedic ambulance. Sometimes they also have a third person. They are equipped with a 450 foot winch/hoist and patient packaging so they could have rescued her from the initial injury point but only during daylight hours although they are working on all their ships to be nighttime certified for rescue. They don’t like to do a hoisting operation with only two people or without fire crews on the ground to do the packaging as the medic can’t be lowered without a third person on the airship. The bowman bag they lower for packaging does have simple instructions that comes down with it but again, it’s risky to trust an unfamiliar civilian.

You guys saved that women’s life! You should be proud. It really is a dangerous mountain. I hiked it on October 17th and the amount of people I saw that didn’t have the right gear or that were attempting to summit way to late in the day was mind blowing.

You two were where you were supposed to be at the time. They’re angels everywhere ❤️❤️

Tears in my eyes. You all were selfless and courageous. Be proud. Sharing this may save other lives.

I have been to Lone Pine Lake, i think it was June or July and thats as far as you can go without a permit. The hike was brutal. Kudos to anyone who attempts to the top. I risk my life often, exploring mines, and its self rescue or die, there is no signal in the earth. I think its rather reckless to go to Mt Whitney in October, especially someone with pre existing health issues. But anyone going in October, if you fail, your rescue team has to come out in the cold weather. Yes of course bring supplies, but much safer to go when the weather is warm. Not for you, but for your rescue team, just in case. But humans are humans and usually dont think about , what if i cant make it, what if i fall, can i survive the cold.

Thanks for sharing. You and your brother saved a life and did what you had to do. You also shared it in a very respectful manner. Years ago I encountered an emergency situation 16 miles into the backcountry of Colorado, a young fellow. He ended up with a broken back and badly fractured leg. It was many hours before Search and Rescue arrived, and like your situation it was very difficult to get the victim down to where they could load and transport. I still remember the details of that incident, these kinds of things are life’s lessons to carry with us on our future exploits.

Thanks for all you did! On my last attempt on the mountaineers' route, a hiker had been struck by a boulder and had to be carried to a lower altitude for helicopter rescue. And then, a bit later, I missed being hit by an airborne boulder by 1 second. We turned around and went home. We were so close!

Wow that was incredible. When I was searching for an SOS device, I went with a Mini 2 just in case my phone dies or breaks. I'll sync up the route if get lost too. I'll definitely bring an emergency bivy/blanket no matter what now. Maybe an iPhone charging cable if someone with an iPhone needs a charge. It's a trip to think back on your journey. From getting the invite to attempt Whitney. Getting in shape and losing all that weight. All the training and motivation to get to that point. With the weather turning the week before resulting in another try that day. To saving their lives if you weren't there. Amazing. All the props to you and your bro. Thanks for sharing. 👏👊

Obviously you did something far more important than summiting Whitney - you helped save someone's life. I was rescued after a climbing fall that broke many limbs & put me in shock - and I'm eternally grateful for a couple of Australian hikers who helped me and assisted the multi-agency, raft & helicopter rescue. I've climbed Whitney many times via the mountaineer's route - but I hold the lives I saved during my years as an EMT much higher than those summits. I don't know how much paricord you guys carry, but i would have used trekking poles (or tree branches) and paricord to help turn the sleeping bag into more of a stretcher that could be more efficiently carried. Good on you guys for valuing human life over the top of a mountain.

Thank you for your kind help! God bless you all!

Thank you so much for your service ! I discovered quite by accident that I can suffer severely from the effects of altitude. Several years ago, I took my daughter on her first backpacking trip on a section of the JMT. On the second day I was laid out on the trail just below Silver pass unable to make and coherent decisions or move. About 6 backpackers helped me out, one of them took my back to a lower elevation(going down the way he just came up), dropped my pack and came back up to continue on his trek. My daughter and myself made it down (sans pack) to the lower camp, spent the night and made it out the next day. Thank god for the kindness of the trail community. I went out and purchased my first in reach device, and now take meds for my altitude issues. I now make sure that I help my fellow backpackers in any way possible. Charging a device, food, ride, whatever.

😳 Hell of a video - well done guys 🤩. So often I have left the bivy bag at home to save a few ounces... now I truly see the value. For myself OR someone else.

You guys more than likely saved her life. Dude, you’re amazing. People like you are hard to find. Thanks for doing all that you did.

It was meant for you to missed your first attempt for a reason. God had prepared you both for a higher purpose than Mt. Whitney. I’m a beginner hiker in my 50s and have learned a lot by your experience and video. Thank You so much and God blessed you both and all the people involved and that means everyone!!

Thank you for making this video. It is very helpful to know what to expect and what we need to take on a hike to help ourselves and others! You awesome.

Great job and I have a lot of respect for what you all did. For those that have never carried anyone off the mountain, it’s very difficult, especially without a proper stretcher. I am an avid outdoorsman and long distance backpacker and I always tell people if you spend enough time in the backcountry your help will be eventually needed, sometimes more than once. You would not say it but I will please people know your fitness and skill level and listen to your body. The mountains will always be there. Don’t be afraid to turn around. We all have done it and some of us many times. One more thing please don’t get a false sense of security because you are carrying an In Reach. We had a women in NH die depending on one of those devices saving her. The pings from her device were all over the place. Again thanks.

Wow good for you guys. I hope we would all make that decision … especially after it being your second try this year. And your video was very respectful. And a good reminder for all of us.

Thank you, Mike, for sharing this video. I commend you for your kindness and selflessness. I am also touched by every person that was there and jumped in to help. This video put a smile on my face ❤

You did not summit Witney but you and your bother summit a higher peak that is harder to achieve !!!!! Thanks for you video .

Wow amazing job cousins!! Definitely made the right choice! So proud and grateful she is ok. Also loved the video… definitely putting my bivy back in my backpack and FINALLY getting the satellite phone I should already have. Big hugs ❤

Great video, so respectfully prepared, you guys should be so proud of helping these people 💗

I saw your post on the Mt Whitney FB page. Well done and much respect for helping these people! 👊

Outstanding video and an important lesson for all of us. Thank you for sharing the full experience, including all of the multiple lessons learned.

You guys were wonderful for saving the lives of the folks you rescued. Big props for your life-saving efforts. Kudos and best of luck climbing Mt. Whitney the next time!🙏❤️

Thank you for making this video, great information.Every hiker needs to see this video and heed the lessons learned. Glad to hear everyone is ok.

Well done gentlemen. You said it exactly right at the end... you won't be remembered for reaching the summit, you'll be remembered for pulling off an amazing rescue and being prepared to do so. Great job, seriously.

This is just so frightening. Thanks for the rescue of these hikers.

One of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. You guys are God sent. Thanks for sharing this and thank you for being such good humans. I wish you both the best on your next summit attempt. Stay safe boys!🤙🏻 Also so happy to hear she made a full recovery.

Great job you two and the other folks that helped. The hiking community is amazing and even better in a time of crisis. I've no doubt that you and Matt will summit next year. All the best.

Great work. Glad you were there to help out and were willing to sacrifice your trek to help someone. Proud to share the planet with someone like you.

You guys are heroes, and that’s all there is to it. Thank you for making the world better

Helping someone in this amount of need is a much greater adventure than a summit. Great video.

Wow, this is such a crazy experience. I think it's always good to have a plan of action to help your fellow hiker out. Accidents happen. Mistakes happen. The wilderness can be scary when you're alone and injured and it can be awesome when someone is there for you. Good call on an SOS device. Great video, great job!

What a selfless act you and Matt performed. You were in the right place at the right time to make a huge difference in someone else's life. Thanks for sharing this remarkable experience. You are also helping more people with this video and your learnings. Well done guys.

Right place at the right time! You are your brother did a great job! Thanks for sharing your experience always hard to relive intense situations.

I want to give you guys two thumbs up. I am a hiker too and we just never know what can happen out there. Thank you for sharing.

This was a valuable experience to share. Thank you! For anyone considering such hikes, they can only benefit from this story. Well worth your desire to put it into circulation.

This is very heartwarming and inspiring. Good man!

Thank you for such important video you did a great job keeping it respectful

Great job guys! Good to know there are people like you out on the trails we hike 👍

It's good to see people with compassion and conscience. Great job!

Great job making a difference for those hikers. Don’t second guess yourself. Your actions saved her life for sure. Your video is insightful and respected patient privacy. It is an excellent learning experience … from managing the situation to recognizing your limitations (need to get more help/rescuers) to reflecting on the magnitude of what could have happened if you didn’t assist. Your closing observations are spot on. Thank you for caring enough to stop for strangers and change the trajectory of their lives forever.

great job Mike. You and Matt are hero's. The world needs more like you. Thank you for the video

A great story with a happy ending. God placed you there to help others, which is better than a picture on the summit. I look forward to video of your summit next year. “Third time’s the charm!”

Super eye opening video. Glad you were there. You definitely were there for a reason!

Few things are as satisfying as saving someone from a life-threatening situation. Congratulations on being instrumental in coordinating a challenging search and rescue mission.

Holy cow. The footage of you all carrying her down the trail had me holding my breath. It looked treacherous. Kudos all around. The ripples from this incident are obviously broad and significant; your video brought it all together nicely, sensitively and impactfully. Thanks for sharing.

I’m glad it worked out and everyone involved made it out. you two are hero’s in my book!

Best hiking video I've seen yet, real people and relatable situations. Once you walk into one of those, you never forget. I hope you've recovered from the "re-play loop" in your mind after that experience, they can be hard to shrug off the first few days.

Good job fellas. You done good!!! Best of luck in the future!!👍👍

Thank God you guys were hiking up the mountain. You guys are good human beings!

Nice job on the video and just want to say thanks for looking out for others on the trails. Just wanted you to know I appreciate the way you told the story, and believe that SAR services are underappreciated and underfunded in the US. People who risk their lives to save others are a special breed of individual, and we need more of them and they deserve to be recognized.

Much respect to you both. I am very happy the lady recovered fully.

What you guys did was great helping those people.there will always be another day to get to the summit. I was fortunate to hike to the top in 1985.beautiful up there.wind is unreal at the top.glad there is a stone shelter up there

Harrowing! True heroes Mike and company, i know that is not why you posted, but so very wel done.

Heroic effort by you and your friend. Many lessons to be learned from this. You've started with a list of things to bring, but there are points to cover before considering the climb. (1) Test your fitness for strenuous climbing at ANY altitude. (2) Develop your acclimation to altitude. Take hikes at increasing altitude over time. 5000', 6000;' 8000' etc. (3) If you feel dizzy at the trailhead, don't go on! (4) Don't take anyone who doesn't meet your requirements.

Great video! You will always be a hero to them! I summited at the age of 58 in August of 2022 with my 13 year-old son and my brother. We stayed at Trail-camp on the way up and on the way down. I know people do this hike in one day, but it is some serious milage and elevation gain that you have to be very fit for, especially if you are not used to the altitude. We are flatlanders and live at 800 feet. We had the luxery of time on our side, so we stayed at Whitney Portal for four nights prior to our summit just to get acclimated. We took day strips up to Lone Pine Lake and Cottonwood Lakes to help our bodies adjust. The night before we headed out we stayed at the Loine Pine Best Western where we got a great night's sleep. My advice to first timers is to wait until you win the three-day backcountry permit. Take your time, Hike in Daylight, see the scenery, relax.

Thank God it was you guys who came across them and that you had your Garmin on you and the will & ability to help. I know you didn’t help or post this video for gratitude or attention, but thank you for helping.

For me, you count this as your summit completed & way better 👌 kudos mate 👏

Great job fellas, I'm so pleased that the rescued lady survived and thanked you in the comments.

I've been inspired to get myself a sattelite device. This video has really shown me their value! Glad they're alright!

Bravo Mike n Matt! It was your destiny to be there to help so much! What a feeling I’m sure! Overwhelming! Wow. Much Kudos for looking out!💪🏻👍🙏🏻👌

Holy… Wow. Great job on the rescue & video. I could feel the seriousness of the situation, and how god-awful tired your arms & hands must’ve been from that carry. Thank goodness for the relief crew down at Outpost Camp!! This is the second video I’ve seen this week where a Garmin saved the day. (A solo woman in the Sawtooths had cardiac issues and had to push The Button). I’m definitely putting that on my Xmas list… And lastly, this shows the value of traveling in a group. You may not have bagged the peak, but I’d say you walked out of there triumphant. Good job, everyone involved 🙏🏻

Thank you to everyone involved. You all are very much appreciated. This was a good educational video. Sure is rugged land up there.

What an ordeal to go through. Everyone is in a precarious situation in the middle of the night on a mountain where it's dark, cold and time is the essence to keep this lady alive. Thanks for sharing and providing lessons learned for hikers.

Thank you for telling this story and I'm glad everyone made it out alive. I see comments from some of the people who were there and I'd like to hear the story about how this whole situation came to be. It's valuable for us to know what conditions and decisions led to this event so we can all learn how to prepare, be aware, and know when to head back before it turns into a life threatening situation. (Thank you for your tips at the end)

Great video and very respectful to all involved. Learned about a bivvy from this video. Also learned to really consider not leaving others even if SOS has been called. The help needed in getting that person to where the helicopter can land is no joke and saved precious time not waiting for rescuers to hike all the way up there.

I just want to commend you guys for doing that rescue. I've been in SAR teams that have had to carry people out, and that carry you did would have been really difficult for a full team with a proper stretcher. You guys did an incredible job with the few of you and the sleeping bag. 😊❤

Mike and Matt - Good on both of you for saving this woman's life! You guys really saved the day as evidenced by "The gal" below. I summited Whitney way back in '91 and we got through some hurdles. My brother suffered mightily with altitude sickness at trail camp(el. 12k) and in the morning he decided to go down and I decided to summit. What a trip it was to say the least! Hiking mount Whitney is no joke, you better be very fit and prepared if you want to summit.

Amazing efforts from you and Matt! You both went above and beyond. Compassion, kindness, and caring are a beautiful characteristics. of us human beings. I went through a similar experience in Kauai’s canyons with a couple in their 40’s. They didn’t have enough water, food, and were in no shape to be where they were. They were both dehydrated. There was no cell phone service but I had my garmin and contacted rescue. They were helicopter out. Thanks for your advice at the end. I’ve hiked alone many times but have never brought a bivy with me. I will purchase one now after seeing your video and your experience having to use them. Awesome teamwork everyone 🥾👍👊

Good job guys! Mountaineering in high altitude is no joke. Having had a close call myself several years ago, I now carry Garmin inreach mini (texting), big anker 20K battery pack, and necessary gear to spend the night in the cold if it came down to it. Also, in very cold temps, i make sure my phone and battery pack is close to my body inside my jacket as batteries will die in freezing temps. That's happened to me! Glad you found a way to get this video out. And so glad all parties involved are safe and ALIVE!

Wow, how nice and unselfish of you two. A great story of humanity.

What a profound experience. They are so lucky you guys were on the trail that day. Even for you rescuers there is a bit of ptsd I'm sure. Whitney is calling, but you guys will be back. 🥾🥾

I’ve been to the summit and back twice on the Whitney Trail, both times with different groups of people. Everyone without exception was a licensed amateur radio operator carrying a handheld transceiver like a small walkie-talkie. We were able to communicate with everyone in the group at all times, even though people were at different places on the mountain depending on pace. No network required, can put in new batteries if they die, and can reach outside repeaters or other stations if trouble arises. Indispensable in the backcountry.

Great job, well done, you guys made the right decisions all the way, human life is definitely more important than climbing a rock that isn't going anywhere, God bless you guys for everything you did helping save that woman's life 🙏.

Great video, very thoughtful. To the really helpful advice you gave I would also point out an insight from yourselves when you were starting the hike (had to scroll back: it's at 2:05) and said, "the top is only halfway". So many injuries, accidents, incidents of getting lost, occur on the way down, when the energy of the summit push is gone but the work to get back safely remains.

You guys did splendidly. I’ve done Whitney a few times and could picture where on the MMWT you were. What you guys did seems to have fallen out of fashion in places like Mt Everest. May you find a winning lottery ticket in the summit hut when you finally make it !

God Bless you two!! May you get your summit in another day. There were some spots you had to carry her over that looked scary.

You guys did a terrific job. Kudos to all who helped you as well!