Hiker’s Last-Minute Call Saves Her After Spider Bite in Sierra Nevada Mountains

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Written By Angela Angela

 

 

 

 

 

A hiker was rescued in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains last week after being paralyzed by a bite and managing to relay her location just before her phone died, officials said.

The woman had left the Sierra Nevada’s John Muir Trail via Taboose Pass due to heavy snow. While getting water from a creek, she was bitten by what she thought was a spider. This bite left her unable to feel her legs, making it impossible to continue hiking.

She called for help and provided her location to rescue officials around 6:30 p.m. before her phone battery died. The search and rescue team arrived just before midnight. They carefully guided her down a difficult section of the trail using ropes and then moved her into a wheeled stretcher stored nearby, about a quarter mile from her location.

Officials did not provide details about her condition. They also noted that about half of their emergency calls come from people with dying phone batteries and advised hikers to carry power banks or satellite messaging devices.

They reminded hikers that Taboose Pass, Sawmill, Baxter, and Shepherd Pass Trails are less maintained than other trails in the Sierra, with tricky sections, route-finding issues, and steep grades.

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