Overview
- A man and his 18-month-old son were rescued after becoming trapped by deep snow on Freel Peak and were airlifted to the South Lake Tahoe Airport for treatment following the May 21 incident.
- El Dorado County’s Echo 1 helicopter located the pair and two search‑and‑rescue volunteers were flown to a high landing zone, hiked down to reach them, and helped coordinate the airlift.
- The father told authorities he became exhausted trying to push through the snow and sought help when his child showed signs of extreme discomfort.
- The Tahoe Rim Trail Association and local agencies say snow, slush and runoff persist above roughly 9,000 feet and the National Weather Service is forecasting another late‑season storm with up to about 4 inches at higher elevations.
- The rescue highlights how Sierra backcountry conditions can differ sharply from lower elevations and has prompted renewed warnings, temporary pass closures by Caltrans, and calls for better gear and planning by recreationists.