Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

, originally uploaded by moominsean.

A hiker is missing near the tramway.

Mountain rescue crews are attempting this evening to rescue a hiker lost near the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in an area with four feet of snow, officials say.

The hiker called Riverside County sheriff's dispatch at about 5 p.m. and said he was lost in the snow near the tramway, according to Investigator Juan Zamora. The phone went dead while he was on the line with dispatch, Zamora said.

A helicopter was dispatched but it is unclear whether the hiker was found. Let us hope so. The Tramway is dangerous because it allows people to get into extreme conditions with a minimum of work.

Update: Found.