The State - News from March 10, 1986

Three hikers caught in a snow and rain storm in Yosemite National Park were rescued by helicopter from the south face of Half Dome. National Park Service spokeswoman Mallory Smith said all three were in good condition except for mild cases of hypothermia. Steven Bosque, 31, of San Francisco, Michael Corbett, 32, and John Middendorf, 25, both of Yosemite, started their climb Tuesday. They expected to be gone five to eight days, but friends became concerned after rain turned to snow during the weekend. The three were spotted about 800 feet from the top of 4,800-foot Half Dome. A rescue team of about 30 people climbed the eight-mile trail and was prepared to lower them to the valley floor when the weather suddenly turned clear, enabling two helicopters to complete the rescue.