Hiker’s Death Brings Year’s Toll to 8

A 23-year-old Pomona woman died after spending a freezing night Tuesday in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, where she and a group of friends had gone hiking but lost their way in a snowstorm, authorities said Thursday.

Kortney Zeman is the eighth hiker to die this year in Southern California mountains, and her death prompted emergency officials to again warn hikers about potentially deadly weather conditions in the rugged terrain.

“We’ve been trying to tell people; it’s been in the papers and on television,” said San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman Robin Haynal. “We’ve never lost more lives in such a short period of time.”

Rescue teams recovered Zeman’s body Wednesday morning, after she and four friends endured a night of rain, heavy snow and temperatures in the teens.

The group had set off Tuesday evening for a hike in the Deep Creek Hot Springs area near Hesperia. After a 45-minute trek, they swam in the hot springs, then left when snow and rain began falling, said Tracey Martinez, a county Fire Department spokeswoman.

But they became disoriented in the storm. Instead of walking to their car, they headed north to an area east of Apple Valley. When they came across an abandoned truck, they climbed in.

“They decided to stay in the abandoned vehicle,” Martinez said. “They took their wet clothes off and wrapped themselves in blankets.”

The following morning, Zeman was unconscious. One member of the group hiked down the mountain to a point where he could use his cellphone and called 911.

By 10:45 a.m., an emergency crew had reached the group and called for a helicopter to fly Zeman to a hospital, Martinez said. She died at Loma Linda University Medical Center of extreme hypothermia, officials said. None of the other hikers required medical attention, authorities said.

Extreme cold and unfamiliarity with the area were cited as reasons for the woman’s death. “With the weather that night, I can see how they got disoriented so quickly,” Martinez said.

Authorities reminded hikers to pay attention to weather forecasts and wear proper clothing and footwear. Martinez said they should also ensure that they are packing sufficient food, water and extra clothing. Cellphones also are recommended, although reception in the mountains is spotty.

“You should also let somebody know where you’re at and where you are going. That really helps in a search,” Martinez said.

Zeman’s death was the eighth to occur in the mountains in five weeks. On Saturday, authorities discovered the body of Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach off Mt. San Gorgonio, 400 feet down a chute of ice.

Kumm went hiking alone Jan. 17 to try new equipment. Authorities believe he became disoriented and tried to follow his footsteps back down, but the conditions were too icy and treacherous.