A Santa Barbara Boy Scout troop rescued a 78-year-old former Eagle Scout who was lost in California’s Sierra Nevada. Douglas Montgomery, an experienced outdoorsman, was found by Boy Scout Troop 26 while battling hypothermia after losing his gear and wandering 15 miles off his intended route. The troop, consisting of nine scouts around age 12, was on a seven-day backpacking trip in the Emigrant Wilderness when they encountered Montgomery on August 6.
According to KTLA, Montgomery had set out on a two-week solo trip but lost his backpack containing essential items like food, water, and a GPS device. He survived by covering himself in loam and foliage and drinking from puddles. Scoutmaster Michael James Hey noticed Montgomery’s poor condition, describing him as “bedraggled” and “unsteady on his feet.” The scouts provided him with food, water, and electrolytes while waiting for a rescue helicopter.
The Santa Barbara Independent reported that Montgomery, who had previously led Scouts in the Emigrant Wilderness for 20 years, was grateful for the rescue. The California Highway Patrol airlifted him to safety, and he was later picked up by his niece. Montgomery, a Navy veteran, expressed his enjoyment of the helicopter ride and drove home the next day.
The incident served as a valuable learning experience for the scouts, emphasizing the importance of preparation and navigation skills in the wilderness. Scoutmaster Hey highlighted how the situation demonstrated the practical application of their training.
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