Rock Chute - Mammoth - Saturday accident

[tarkman1]

This happened on Saturday in Mammoth over in the Sherwins. Temperatures were down noticably from the week prior. Rock Chute is clearly visible from town in Mammoth Lakes. Some prefer to call it 'front backcountry' because it's such easy access. I'm guess that the party came in from the top, started into the chute, hit slick conditions, and then went for a ride. H-Wood probably has the scoop.

Anyway, Rock Chute faces north and doesn't get a lot of sun. It's the short shot in the upper left of the frame. Oh, the shot is courtesy of Snowman website.



Local Rescued From Skiing Accident
by George Shirk
A 25-year-old Mammoth man was transported to a Reno hospital Saturday after search-and-rescue personnel rescued him by helicopter from Rock Chute, an icy, vertical run in the Sherwin range.

Jim Palmer, whom Mono County Sheriff's officials said was skiing with friends, "hit icy snow conditions that caused him to tumble down the chute approximately 300 feet, hitting the rock wall on the side of the chute," acccording to Shannon Kendall of the sheriff's deparment.

Kendall said a skiing companion was able to descend the chute and reach Palmer, who was unconscious for a short time.

Palmer suffered severe head contusions, and was unable to descend the slope, either skiing or walking, due to the steep, icy conditions, Kendall said.

The Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team was called out, and additional resources were also requested from Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol, California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter from Fresno, California, and a rescue helicopter from Fallon Naval Air Station.

Palmer was transported by toboggan to a snowfield further down the slope where CHP helicopter was able to hoist him into the helicopter.

He was flown to a landing zone set up at Snowcreek golf driving range in Mammoth Lakes where he was taken by ambulance to Mammoth Hospital for treatment.

Due to his severe head injuries, he was flown later that night to Washoe Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.

[ski_rick]

Damn, so that's what that heli was we saw flying north while sitting on my friends porch up by Mono Lake.

[newman]

I heard a helicopter flying around while I was skiing Mammoth. I hope Jim recovers OK.

[msnowmn]

We where there and got video and pictures:
http://www.mammoth-snowman.com/mammo...-news-104.html