Man, 70, Trying to Hike from Mexico to Canada Needs Rescue Near Banning

A proposed hike from one national border to another along the Pacific Crest Trail ended prematurely for a 70-year-old man, who was rescued in the San Bernardino National Forest, authorities said Friday.

Robert Davis, 70, of Winchester, Tennessee, began his trek along the trail from the Mexican to Canadian borders on April 1, but by Tuesday, April 29, he was starting to feel fatigued, Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. John Reinbolz said.

After hiking another eight miles on Wednesday, Davis found himself at 6,000 feet of elevation, and low on water. He then decided to make a cell phone call for assistance, but could not get a clear signal, Reinbolz said.

Unable to safely hike out, Davis opted to activate his GPS Personal Locator Beacon, which was picked up by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Centre around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Reinbolz said.

"The Air Force Coordination Center then notified local Cal Fire Personnel and local Law Enforcement of Davis’ situation and general Global Positioning location," Reinbolz said.

Searchers found Davis just over five hours later in a clearing about 100 yards off the Pacific Crest Trail. 

"Davis was found in good health, but was fatigued to the point he could not hike out on his own power," Reinbolz said.

Instead, he was airlifted out, completing a search effort that involved crews from the California Department of Forestry, Sheriff's Department and its Aviation Unit, State Park Rangers, Mountain Rescue and Desert Search and Rescue.

Davis was released from a hospital in good health, Reinbolz said.

– City News Service contributed to this report.