California Conservation Corps Backcountry Supervisor

California Conservation Corps

6/29/2011

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 29, 2011, at approximately 8:00 a.m., California Conservation Corps Backcountry Supervisor Mark Allee was at the western approach of the Wapama Falls Trail bridge in Yosemite National Park. The rivers were running fast and high due to the wet winter and snowmelt, and the heavy rain and roaring waterfall created intense wind and noise. Mr. Allee was assessing the safety of the bridge when he saw five hikers approaching the bridge from the eastern side. He frantically tried to stop them from crossing by signaling “no” with his arms, but the group began crossing the bridge anyway. Recognizing the threat, Mr. Allee positioned himself on a large boulder just below the bridge to help anyone who might get swept away. Almost immediately, the raging torrent pushed two of the hikers up against the handrail and one was quickly swept off the bridge. The second man’s wife was trying to help her husband by holding his head up. Despite the eminent danger, Mr. Allee climbed over the slippery boulder and straddled the bridge railing. He told the woman and a fourth hiker to “get back!” and they began moving backwards off the bridge. Mr. Allee turned to the man and attempted to communicate with him. He unclipped the waist belt of the man’s pack and tried to get him to grab onto the strut and post instead of the rail so he could stand up. He struggled to grab the man’s belt, but could not reach it. He then tried to grab onto his shirt and pull him up. Unfortunately, the violent flow caused the exhausted man to lose his handhold and he was quickly swept away.