An unidentified man who told authorities he was stranded for days was rescued from Tahquitz Canyon Thursday morning after crews were airlifted above him and rappelled to his location.
According to Palm Springs Mounted Police Search & Rescue (PSMP-SAR ), rescuers responded around 9 AM to reports of a man stranded in the canyon. PSMP-SAR, Palm Springs Police, a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, and medical aid responded to the scene, reaching the man at around 10:30 AM. After evaluation, the man was safely hoisted off the mountain to a nearby landing zone. He was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment of minor injuries.
The exact circumstances that led to the man being stranded in the canyon were not immediately known.
Thursday’s rescue was the third this year for PSMP-SAR, whose personnel remind anyone heading out to hike in the desert of the following guidelines:
- Always hike in an approved, open area. These areas are usually monitored to ensure that trails are well-marked and safe to use.
- Be prepared for the trip. Take lots of water, even when it’s cold out. Your body needs to replenish its water supply lost through sweating. Pack warm clothes for evenings even in the summer. Pack enough supplies to “get you through” should you become lost or injured.
- Never hike alone. If you should become injured and can no longer travel, a hiking partner can go for help. PSMP-SAR doesn’t perform rescues in the crucial first hour following an injury or fall off a trail. It will usually take your hiking partner that long to get to a phone. Consider carrying a cellular phone just in case.
- Wear the right shoes. Hiking in thongs, sandals, or other slippery-soled shoes has spelled disaster for many of the victims rescued by PSMP-SAR.
- Tell someone. Even the most experienced hikers run into elements that overcome them. tell someone where you are going, when you expect to get back, how long you will be gone, what you are wearing, and who is going with you. Make sure the person you tell will be around to make sure you made it back.
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BRIEFLY
SHOP OWNER PASSES: The owner of a popular Palm Springs eatery has died, it was announced late Thursday. Corey Saldana, owner of The Sandwich Spot on Palm Canyon Drive, passed away Thursday at 59. No details surrounding his death were released. Staff at the popular shop plan to mourn Saldana’s passing on March 23. “Thank you so much for all the love and support and we will carry on with his same high standards and continue on in his name,” they wrote.
BOOK CLUB: Friends of the Palm Springs Library book club meets via Zoom at 1 PM today for their monthly get together. Details about the monthly meeting and how to join can be found here.
WEEKEND EVENTS
- OPEN/CLOSED: Restaurants (including indoor dining), shops and services, movie theaters, gyms, parks, farmers’ markets, hiking trails, the Air Museum, and golf courses are all open with some at limited capacity. The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is also open at limited capacity, but tickets need to be purchased two weeks ahead of time. A full list of entertainment options can be found on this Facebook page.
- ALL WEEKEND: Desert X art installations are on display throughout the Coachella Valley, including several within the Palm Springs city limits. The free event runs through May 16. A map of the installations can be found here. Some require reservations to view.
- ALL WEEKEND: The Agua Caliente Casino downtown is open at limited capacity, with masks and social distancing required.
- ALL WEEKEND: The Palm Canyon Roadhouse, 535 S. Palm Canyon Dr., has live evening entertainment in a new Backyard Rock Patio.
- ALL WEEKEND: Crystal Fantasy, 268 N. Palm Canyon Drive, hosts a psychic/healing arts fair from 11 AM-7 PM both days.
- SATURDAY: “Mimosa Men” pour champagne and entertain the audience at Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, starting at 11:30 AM. Tickets can be purchased here.
- SUNDAY: Chill Bar on East Arenas offers their “A May Zing” drag brunch outside from 12 PM-2:30 PM. Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased here.
- SUNDAY: Catch PS Drag Brunch at Roly China Fusion. Tickets start at $15, but are sold out this weekend. A portion of each ticket sold is donated to Sanctuary Palm Springs, helping the LGBTQ+ community of foster youth transitioning to adulthood.
- SUNDAY: Oscar’s has added a second “Bitchiest Brunch” at 2 PM. Tickets are $25 and available here.
- SUNDAY: “Bowties & Bears Brunch Virtual Speed Dating,” hosted by Alexander Rodriguez, starts on Zoom at 1 PM. Event and ticket information can be found here. All that’s needed to participate is a device with a camera and microphone.
- SUNDAY: “Dishin’ with the Durbins” streams live at 6 PM on YouTube. Expect chat, cocktails, laughs, music, and more during the weekly show.
GET VACCINATED: If you qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine you can get one at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros, from 8 AM-5 PM today, and again next week, Monday-Friday. Appointments can be reserved online at www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. Find community providers such as pharmacies here.
HELP FOR FOOD SAMARITANS
During this entire month, 20 percent of net USPS, UPS, and FedEx transactions at Postal Palm Springs will be donated to AAP – Food Samaritans. This is the first promotion of its kind to be arranged for the local nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses.
