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The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team responded to South Lake Tahoe at 12:05 p.m. on Dec. 8 on a report of an injured hiker on Mt. Tallac.
At the time, Mt. Tallac, a 9,375-foot mountain just south of Emerald Bay, was covered in ice and snow, a press release stated.
The injured hiker, identified as Brian Meek, 50, of Portland, Ore., had been hiking alone on a trail at the top of the mountain. Meek, the press release stated, was hiking in snowshoes when he lost traction on ice and began to slide, losing control. He slide more than 400 feet into an area known as West Bowl before colliding with a large rock. He sustained multiple injuries, including multiple compound fractures to his legs, necessitating a rapid response from SAR.
SAR was assisted by Douglas County Search and Rescue volunteers, CHP Air Operations, Lake Valley Fire Department and the CALSTAR 6 helicopter. The helicopters from CALSTAR and CHP were unable to land due to the icy conditions.
Rescuers had to be inserted and use mountaineering skills to reach Meek. They were able to hoist the injured hiker into a CHP helicopter and was then transferred to CALSTAR 6. The CALSTAR helicopter transported him to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nev., for treatment.
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Garrett MeekDecember 13, 2012 - 9:24 pm
Hi Cole, I am the son of Bryan, the hiker mentioned in this story. On behalf of his family I would like to thank the El Dorado County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team, Douglas County Search and Rescue Volunteers, CHP operations, Lake Valley Fire Dept. and the CALSTAR crew for their concerted effort to save my father's life. We are more grateful for their efforts than we can express. We are particularly grateful to the Douglas County volunteers who have visited him during his recovery, and without whom he may not be alive. We are also thankful to the staff at Renown Regional Medical Center who have set the stage for a full recovery and taken great care during his treatment. Gratefully, Garrett Meek
Bryan meekJanuary 09, 2013 - 1:09 pm
Hey I am alive, very grateful for second chances. I thank all of SAR team for a skillful recovery effort. You guys are amazing. Can't wait to return to Tahoe and express my gratitude. Hoping to start some biking within a week and get back to (light) running this spring.