Missing Pair Located Near Cherry Lake

Groveland, CA — Chris Salwasser and Don Schaper left Camp Towanga near Yosemite National Park Monday morning enroute to Sonora to pick up some supplies, and when they did not return by 5:45pm a family member called the Sheriff’s Office.

A Groveland area deputy went out Monday night and drove many of the roads that the two were planning to take near Cherry Lake, but he was unable to access much of the area due to snow.

Tuesday morning the Tuolumne County Search and Rescue Team, a CHP Helicopter and officials with Yosemite National Park went out to look for the missing men. At 11am, Salwasser was able to get enough phone reception to place a call to the Sheriff’s Office saying that he and Schaper had gotten stuck in the snow and were unable to proceed with their vehicle.

“Rangers from Yosemite National Park located them, and gave them a ride back to Camp Towanga,” says Sgt. Jim Oliver with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office. “As far as I know, there were no medical needs or problems with either of the folks.”

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com