A 17-year-old boy is safe after a frightening overnight ordeal at Stampede Reservoir in Sierra County. The teen had set out from Iron Ox Campground on Saturday evening, planning a short kayaking trip across the lake followed by a hike. However, when he failed to return, his parents alerted authorities early Sunday morning.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received the call around 6:30 AM, sparking a large-scale search and rescue effort. Sierra County deputies were quickly joined by U.S. Forest Service law enforcement, Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat, Truckee Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol Helicopter from Redding.
As the search teams mobilized, a motorcyclist on the north shore of the lake found the teen. He was dehydrated and slightly hypothermic but otherwise unharmed. The boy reported that his kayak had overturned the previous evening, forcing him to swim to shore, where he spent the night in the frigid cold. .
Highlighting the importance of taking precautions while enjoying the outdoors, The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office says to remember to:
Always wear a life vest when on the water, regardless of swimming ability.
Communicate your plans and expected return time with others.
Immediately alert authorities if someone in your group goes missing.
Although this incident ended well, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can change. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to all agencies and personnel involved in the successful rescue.
Photo courtesy Sierra County Sheriff’s Office
