The family of Eric Desplinter, the former Perry man rescued Wednesday with his hiking partner, Gabrielle Wallace, after the pair survived five days in the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California, issued a statement of gratitude Thursday afternoon for the happy ending to their nerve-wracking story.
Nikki Deardorff of Perry, sister to Desplinter, told ThePerryNews.com:
A big thank you to every single rescue volunteer who went out on the mountain to search for Gabrielle and Eric, and to anyone else who had a helping hand in their successful return. Thank you to the Mount Baldy community for the continued show of support they offer our family. And thank you to our Iowa family and friends for their thoughts and prayers. Our family is beyond blessed and grateful that God returned them both in good health.
Desplinter and Wallace left Saturday morning for a hike in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains. When they did not return Saturday evening, an intensive search was mounted by rescue teams from San Bernardino, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.
The pair was found Wednesday, cold, hungry but in good health, and they were evacuated by helicopter to a mountain command post, where they were met by grateful family members.
“It’s a true miracle,” said Deardorff, who was worried but never lost hope for the hikers’ return. “They left with all the right gear. He’s an experienced hiker and smart. I knew if he was alive, he’d find a way out or signal for help.”
