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Hiker falls and dies in San Jose’s Alum Rock Park

There are many great hiking sites near San Jose-by-the-sea. Our valley is bordered by two mountain ranges, with the western Costal Range hosting many neat trails. The east side is the Diablo Range which is quite hot during the summer, but there are some historical places to prep for Half Dome.  Alum Rock Park has a long history from when San Jose was a cattle and fruit center.  It was called the Valley of Hearts Delight. Alum Rock Park used to have 27  Hot Spring that were very popular as a place to get away.  They are off limits now. At over 700 acres, the park offers diverse activities for families and short hikes. A pleasant 5 mile loop trail is popular. The park dates back to 1892 when it was set aside.The name comes from a large rock that was believed to contain the  mineral “alum.”

On Saturday, a solo hiker was out in rugged territory of the park and slipped and fell about 100 feet and was discovered dead. His car was found by rangers in the parking lot about midnight Saturday. It’s unknown exactly when he fell, but his body was located by San …

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Two young boys drown in Merced at Yosemite

Yesterday afternoon, two young Southern California boys on a vacation with their family drowned after they slipped into the cold Merced River near the Vernal Fall Footbridge. Even though water levels are low in August, deep holes and caves can trap a body. The boys were playing in the water and slipped on the smooth surface of the rocks. They were sent downstream by the current. One boy was pulled out by bystanders and given CPR but not be revived. The body of the younger boy has not been found.

The footbridge leads to the Mist Trail for access to Vernal and Nevada Fall and the John Muir Trail. It is a popular easy day hike, less than an hour from the Valley. The trail is paved and there is a water fountain and toilet at the bridge.

The family began their hike at the Happy Isle Trailhead and stopped at the footbridge. Access to the river is easy, but the banks can be slippery. The trail remains open while the search for the younger boy continues. Be prepared for some disruption as recovery crews do their work. Often bodies are not found for months in this …

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She fell 150 feet down Half Dome and survived!

Gina Bartiromo of Camarillo, CA was doing her first hike on the Half Dome cables on June 6, 2009. The weather was marginal at the start of the cable climb and got worse. On the descent, light snow started to fall. She lost her grip in the cold and fell. Then she slid outside the cables and began to slide down the west side, down, down, faster and faster. After 150 feet of sheer terror, she slammed against an upward facing slab and came to a stop.It saved her.  Unconscious, but alive. A few others were still at Sub Dome and came up to provide what help they could. 9-1-1 call to YOSAR and help was on its way.

A helicopter was dispatched, but it took 5 tries to land – that’s how bad the weather was. Later, people who were in the valley that day, told me they could not see the top of Half Dome. Gina was “short lined” out to the Ahwahnee Meadow. She was then transferred to a MedVac chopper for the flight to a hospital. Major bone breaks and a fractured skull. The full list of damage: a broken jaw, 3 compression fractures of the …

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