Yahoo Autos 70-Year-Old on Rubicon Trail Jeep Jamboree Prep Run Found Safe After Missing for Days
A 70-year-old man was found safe on Wednesday morning after going missing on the Rubicon Trail in California last week while on a preparation run for the upcoming Jeepers Jamboree off-road event, authorities said.
It's not the official Jeep Jamboree that goes down in Moab, Utah, every year, but the upcoming Jeepers Jamboree, set in California's Sierra Nevada Mountain range, practices the same principles of communal off-road fun. Warren Elliott and his son were on a rehabilitation run on the infamous Rubicon Trail when he walked away and lost his group last Friday, according to a Facebook post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office.
Elliott's disappearance prompted a widespread search, spearheaded by the sheriff's office and involving a handful of other first responder agencies. Over 100 searchers were present for the search and rescue operation representing nine Northern California agencies (including Cal OES Search and Rescue, Civil Air Patrol, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit, California Rescue Dog Association, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office UAS (drones), and on) as well as the California and Nevada National Guard. Due to the jagged, mountainous terrain, Blackhawk helicopters from both the Nevada and California National Guard were brought in to aid in the five-day search.
After five days of searching, Elliot was located safe and unharmed early on Wednesday, July 24 near the Hell Hole Reservoir. He was airlifted out of the area by helicopter, ABC News reports.
"A heartfelt thank you to all the search and rescue teams who tirelessly assisted from across the state," a Facebook post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office reads. "We are also immensely grateful to Jeepers Jamboree for their support and hospitality extended to our search teams. They provided food, drinks, and a place to camp overnight."
The Rubicon Trail is approximately 22 miles long and spans from Georgetown to Lake Tahoe through the El Dorado National Forest. Among trail drivers and 4x4 enthusiasts, the trail is often considered one of the hardest off-highway vehicle routes in the country, and the upcoming Jeepers Jamboree events are three or four-day guided off-road excursions meant to provide a safe and supported experience through the trail.
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