Searchers Find Three Missing Snowboarders

The park began a search for three missing snowboarders on Monday afternoon after they failed to meet their ride near the community of Yosemite West, close to the park's western boundary. Their planned route was reportedly from a point just south of the Yosemite West junction on the Wawona Road to that community. A search was begun and continued until midnight, then resumed on the following morning. More than 65 SAR personnel from the park and Mariposa County were committed to the operation, which was also supported by aircraft. They were spotted from a helicopter early yesterday afternoon near the South Fork of the Merced River. All three were able to walk to the helicopter on their own. Medical assessments had yet to be conducted at the time of the report.