Camper, dog rescued by firefighters after being stranded in deep snow in San Bernardino Mountains

HOLCOMB VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) — A crew of firefighters on a snowcat rescued a camper and his dog who were stranded in more than three feet of snow Wednesday afternoon in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The camper was exploring in Holcomb Valley, just a few miles from the Pacific Crest Trail, when he and his pet got stuck in the snow, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Although the man was well-prepared with food, water and supplies for several days, the depth of the snow made travel impossible, the Fire Department said in a Thursday news release.

“Our crews deployed Snowcat 96 out of Fawnskin, deep into the backcountry and safely extracted the camper and his dog ‘Mud,’ from several miles inside the wilderness,” the statement said.

Fire officials urged anyone exploring the wilderness during inclement weather to:

• Check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out and expect conditions to change.

• Share your exact travel plan and timeline with someone you trust.

• Pack extra supplies, including cold-weather gear and a reliable way to communicate.