Rescue Team Finds Shoe-Less Woman Lost In Deep Snow Near Mountain High Resort

WRIGHTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A rescue team on Sunday searched for and found an injured woman who was lost in the deep, fresh snow near the Mountain High-North Resort in Wrightwood by using military technology to triangulate the location of the woman's cellphone.

The search for the woman began around 5 a.m. and included Palmdale station deputies and a Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team. The woman was only identified by authorities as a 51-year-old mother from Phelan.

"We think she went up there to meet or look for someone," said Lt. Ken Wright of the sheriff's Palmdale station. "She texted her son about 2:42 a.m. that she was lost and walking around with no shoes or socks on."

Deputies discovered the woman's vehicle in the Mountain High resort parking lot, 24512 Angeles Crest Highway, the sheriff's department said. The search party found her shoes and socks in the snow, but her tracks were covered.

The search party was also limited to a ground search due to limited visibility in the air.

"We wanted to get some aero support out there, but right now the air's not clear enough to fly," Wright said.

After hours of searching, vocal contact was made wit h the woman, Sheriff's Department Cmdr. Mike Parker said on Twitter.

Deputies used a sno-cat to carry her away. The woman's condition was described as "conscious and coherent."

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)