Florida Tourist, 39, Spends Two Nights Stranded on Icy California Mountain After GPS Error Leads Him Into Danger

A Florida tourist was left fighting for his life on one of California’s tallest mountains after an incorrect GPS route led him onto a dangerous glacier, triggering an extraordinary rescue operation involving dozens of emergency responders.

The 39-year-old man became stranded on Mount Shasta after falling through a snow bridge and severely injuring his leg while descending the mountain on October 18, 2026.

According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the climber had reached the summit earlier that afternoon before beginning his descent along Avalanche Gulch. An erroneous GPS route reportedly directed him onto Whitney Glacier, where the terrain became increasingly dangerous.

At approximately 12,600 feet above sea level, he fell through a snow bridge and suffered a serious leg injury.

When he called 911 around 5 p.m., rescuers discovered that he was poorly equipped for the freezing conditions. He was reportedly wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt and running shoes, with little protection against temperatures that dropped below freezing overnight.

Two nights trapped in freezing conditions

The initial rescue effort quickly became complicated by severe weather, powerful winds and poor visibility.

Authorities called in U.S. Forest Service climbing rangers and California Highway Patrol air operations to assist. However, helicopter crews initially struggled to reach the injured man because conditions made an aerial extraction unsafe.

Climbing rangers eventually reached him on Monday night. They treated his injuries, which included frostbite and hypothermia, but rescuers were still unable to evacuate him immediately.

The rangers then faced another night on the mountain alongside the injured climber at an elevation of approximately 12,500 feet.

Meanwhile, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office mobilized more than 30 additional search-and-rescue personnel to organize a difficult ground extraction.

Teen rescuers battle 60mph winds

The rescue operation involved members of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, including five teenage volunteers.

According to reports, the team of 11 made a dangerous climb across steep, icy terrain to reach the injured tourist. They faced winds reportedly reaching 60mph, falling-rock hazards and freezing temperatures.

The rescuers carefully transported him down the mountain toward a location where a helicopter could reach them.

Officials said the man’s condition was deteriorating rapidly, making the evacuation increasingly urgent. A California Highway Patrol helicopter eventually airlifted him to a nearby hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.

The operation ended after several days of difficult work, with rescuers praised for their determination and commitment to bringing the man down alive.

Officials warn climbers about dangerous mountain conditions

Mount Shasta rises more than 14,000 feet above northern California and attracts climbers from across the country. However, its glaciers, rapidly changing weather and high-altitude terrain can create serious dangers, even for experienced visitors.

The rescue came only days after two hikers from Utah were also stranded on the mountain after underestimating the conditions along Avalanche Gulch.

Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of checking routes carefully, carrying appropriate equipment and preparing for the possibility of spending an unexpected night outdoors.

For the Florida tourist, a navigation mistake turned a mountain descent into a life-threatening ordeal. For the rescuers, it became a demanding mission that required extraordinary teamwork in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.