Hiker’s Gear Plays a Role in Mt. Whitney Rescue

At 13,000 feet on Mt. Whitney, a hiker battling altitude sickness, a badly injured ankle, and growing hypothermia faced a long night above treeline. Search and Rescue had been contacted, but the risks of flying in darkness at that elevation meant a helicopter could not arrive until morning.

Through the freezing pre-dawn hours, several fellow hikers stepped in. They offered warm layers, food, electrolytes, and makeshift medical care—enough to keep her stable for the descent to Trail Camp, where she was later airlifted to safety.

One of those hikers was a Featherstone customer. He recalls:

“I gave her my Moondance 25 quilt to keep her warm at 13,000 feet. That quilt may have helped save her life.”