72-Year-Old Hiker Found Alive After Fall and Days Lost in Northern California
Mary Beth Granbery suffered serious injuries and disorientation after falling down a steep embankment during a solo camping trip.
A multi-day camping trip in Northern California culminated in a desperate search and rescue effort for 72-year-old Mary Beth Granbery, who was found alive after falling and becoming disoriented.
Granbery, a resident of Mount Shasta, began her solo camping trip on September 28 and was expected to return by October 1. When she failed to show up for work the following day, her family reported her missing to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
On October 3, family members located Granbery's camper van at the Cabin Creek Trailhead in neighboring Shasta County, prompting a joint effort between the Siskiyou and Shasta County Sheriff's Offices. Deputies and search and rescue teams were deployed to locate the missing hiker.
Ground crews found Granbery on October 4 near Cabin Creek. Although conscious, she had sustained serious injuries, including a severe knee injury, after falling down a steep embankment. Rescuers noted she was disoriented and nonverbal, with signs of exposure to the elements.
Assistance from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air Operations was crucial for her extraction from the difficult terrain. A helicopter crew hoisted Granbery from the trail to a nearby landing zone, where she was transferred to an air ambulance. She was subsequently transported to Mercy Medical Center in Redding for treatment.
The Shasta County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Granbery is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials acknowledged the combined efforts of the deputies, search and rescue volunteers, the CHP air crew, and Granbery's family and friends for their roles in the successful rescue operation.