United States - July 18, 2025 On the morning of July 18, 2025, CHP Coastal Air Operations was called by CAL OES and Inyo County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue to assist in rescuing an injured hiker near Mt Whitney. The CHP helicopter H-70 arrived at around 9:45 a.m. and quickly located the female hiker and her group. The hiker had fallen earlier that morning, suffering a possible head injury and a fractured wrist. Due to the remote and rugged terrain near trail camp just below the summit of Mt Whitney, rescuers decided a hoist extraction was the safest method. A CHP rescue paramedic was lowered to the injured hiker to evaluate her condition and prepare her for transport. H-70 then hoisted the hiker and flew her directly to Lone Pine hospital for further medical care. This rescue follows a similar operation the previous day by CHP Central Air Operations near the same area. The high altitudes, difficult terrain, and remote location make rescues in the Eastern Sierras especially challenging.