9/1/15 - Miyuki Harwood's family members released a statement to chronicle her incredible story of survival. According to Harwood's brother, Yoshi, and sister-in-law, Barb Hartwig, Miyuki is doing well and in good spirits despite some serious, but not life threatening, injuries. She is bedridden and has injuries to both legs and her back. She had surgery on Saturday to repair her broken left leg and will need more surgery on that leg within the next few weeks. Her right ankle is also broken and will also soon be surgically repaired. Harwood has a compression fracture to her lumbar spine.
The following is Harwood's story in her own words.
"On Thursday, August 20th, our group had been together hiking. It was the sixth day of an eight day trip and it was a day trip, so we were up on Black Cap Mountain. After summiting, I decided to start back to camp ahead of the group and I regret it. It was getting dark. I tried to get back to the campsite, but fell off the cliff and I landed on both legs. I was conscious the whole time and wanted to get back to camp the next day. After I fell, my left leg hurt and I took my boots off and stayed there overnight. The next morning, I realized that I could not stand up with either leg. I saw all of the choppers flying over me the next day, but toward the end of the day they called off the rescue because of the smoke. At the same time, my 1-liter water bottle was getting low. In order for me to survive, I knew I needed water. I heard running water below me. For the next two days, I crawled down to the water and luckily I had a water filter. I pumped 1-liter of water every day and drank it there. Every day I saw choppers for a while that were far away from me. At night, I slept on the ground with my medium-weight jacket. It was very cold at night. During the five days there, I spent every day colder and colder and would lie in the sun a few hours each day.
On Friday, August 28, there was a rescue team in the area and I blew my whistle, but they did not hear me.
On Saturday, August 29, I thought this was the last chance to do something for me to survive. I heard voices talking, so I blew my whistle again and they responded with my name. They were at a distance and kept calling my name, asking where I was. I kept blowing my whistle and answering their calls. When I first saw them, it was a miracle and I was emotional. The rescue team all came down to me and stayed with me while the doctor with the team stabilized my left leg. I was carried by stretcher to the open area where the helicopter landed to pick me up.
I greatly appreciate the rescuers who found me and had not given up hope to find me. Thank you to my family, friends, co-workers and the Sierra Club. I am doing okay and would like to concentrate on my recovery. Thank you so much."
8/29/15 - On Saturday morning, members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team located 62-year-old Miyuki Harwood alive in an area east of Courtright Reservoir.
The Orangevale woman heard rescuers in the area and blew a whistle to get their attention. Deputies found Harwood with injuries. The California Highway Patrol helicopter (H40) assisted by transporting her to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where she is listed in stable condition.
Harwood was reportedly injured on August 20th and remained in the same area until being found nine days later. She survived on water alone. Harwood would crawl down to a creek and scoop water into a bottle, which had a filter on it.
8/26/15 - Wednesday morning, the Fresno County Sheriff's Search & Rescue (SAR) team is ramping up its efforts to locate missing hiker Miyuki Harwood.
With the assistance of the California Office of Emergency Services and California National Guard, a Chinook helicopter and remote controlled drone are now involved in the operation. The helicopter deployed 25-30 more search team members, two search dogs and supplies into the Sierra National Forest. The drone will be able to feed in real-time video images to ground personnel. Visibility is much better today as winds have cleared some of the smoke from the Rough Fire.
The FSO is receiving assistance from: Kern Co., Tulare Co., San Luis Obispo Co., Marin Co. Contra Costa Co., Monterey Co., San Mateo Co., Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, the California Highway Patrol and the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA).
8/25/15 - On Tuesday, a helicopter was able to fly in and drop-off two more search team members and additional supplies. The Rough Fire continues to move north and is closing in on the search area. Portions of the search area in the forest are now closed to the public. This is a very dangerous situation and the Sheriff’s Office urges citizens not to take it upon themselves to join in on the search for Harwood.
8/23/15 - On Sunday, the Army National Guard deployed a Blackhawk helicopter into the search area, near Horsehead Lake. It carried additional Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies, who are part of the Search and Rescue (SAR) team, as well as additional supplies designated for deputies already on the ground. This is significant because making these deliveries eliminates SAR members from having to postpone their mission and retreat back to the command post to get more supplies. The smoke from the Rough Fire continues to get worse and hamper all aircraft crews from being able to see.
The missing woman is Miyuki Harwood, 62, of Orangevale, CA. She set out on her hiking trip on Tuesday (8/18) with a group from the Sierra Club in the Sacramento area. Harwood did not know any of the people in the group; these were strangers who signed up to go on a trip together. Harwood was last seen at 1:00 pm Thursday. The other hikers have since left the area and deputies were not able to speak with them at length to learn more about Harwood’s abilities and what type of gear she is carrying. Deputies have been contacted by some of Harwood’s friends and family and learned that she is an experienced hiker. There is plenty of water in the area for Harwood to drink, but deputies are concerned about the rocky terrain and heavy smoke she is exposed to. SAR currently has approximately three dozen members searching various trailheads, which cover 100 square miles and have elevations ranging between 9,000 - 11,000 ft. The search is ongoing and there is no timetable for when it will end.
8/22/15 - Around 5:00 am Friday, FSO received a call that the 62-year-old woman became separated from her hiking group near Horsehead Lake, which is about 100 miles northeast of Fresno. Deputies spoke briefly with Harwood’s fellow hikers to try and determine the location she was last seen. The California Highway Patrol helicopter (H40) flew over the area, but the crew had difficulties seeing due to thick smoke caused from the Rough Fire, which is burning about 10 miles away.
Friday afternoon, SAR deputies and volunteers setup a command post at Wishon Reservoir. The team traveled in 19 miles by foot and on horseback to the location Hardwood was last seen, but they were unable to find her. There is no indication that the woman suffers from a medical condition or would be injured. SAR members continue to scour the mountains Saturday, but have not had any luck in their search. The team will continue their search into Sunday in hopes of having success. The smoky conditions are one of the largest obstacles for the SAR team.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages hikers and campers to stay in areas with easy access to exits points. Do not push the limits, which put you in a dangerous situation.
Source: Fresno County Sheriff Department
