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Posted by: thepinetree on 02/25/2008 10:30 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/25/2008 12:03 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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A Cold Night for Missing Snowboarder Jerad Gerlach~By John Hamilton
Bear Valley, CA...We just spoke with rescued Santa Cruz area snowboarder, Jerad Gerlach. As Jerad was trying to hike out last night he was caught in two small avalanches and spent the night out in the storm last evening. He lost his snowboard in one of the avalanches that occurred. He then let go of his board when an avalanche started pulling him and his board under. He was then able to keep himself above the surface. After the avalanches Jerad decided to stop trying to hike out and dug a snow cave to ride out the night....
 
Jerad is posing above with his friends and family. Jerad is the young man in the tan coat in the middle giving a big thumbs up. The picture on the right is the missing person's notice that was placed on Jerads truck.
He alternated digging and blowing on his hands. His efforts to save himself and keep his body temp up added significantly in his surviving his ordeal in good shape.
A CHP helicopter spotted him this morning and after surveying the area they actually performed a risky on snow landing.They then had him crawl out to the waiting helicopter. Bear Valley Search & Rescue, Bear Valley Ski Patrol, Alpine County Sheriffs and many more searched for Jerad in almost white out conditions for hours last night after he was reported missing.
He was checked out by the Medical Staff with the Bear Valley Ski Patrol and given their blessings to head home. He is in good spirits and on his way back to Santa Cruz now. Through good luck, hard work and the great efforts of the rescue personnel and great flying by the CHP helicopter crew His story has a happy ending.He will get checked out by his doctor when he gets home.
His only apparent ill affects are pain in his middle toes. He was instructed to let them warm up gradually and he will probably feel the tingling sensation until his circulation returns to normal.
Jerad will probably have a warm feeling every time he sees a CHP helicopter for quite some time. His family and friends are thankful for all of the efforts by everyone on Jerad's behalf.
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