Rescuers were dispatched after someone in the group activated a 911 personal locator beacon. Author: Matthew Nuttle Updated: 9:26 PM PDT July 2, 2021 TUOLUMNE COUNTY, Calif. — Fourteen backpackers were rescued from the Emigrant Wilderness in Tuolumne County after getting caught in a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday. Rescuers were dispatched after someone in the group activated a 911 personal locator beacon. The area the backpackers were hiking was caught in a thunderstorm that produced hail. The hikers were all between the ages of 15 and 22, and rescuers said some of the teens were suffering from hypothermia and needed immediate evacuation. Fortunately, Cal Fire was working a wildfire near Groveland, Calif., and released one of their Firehawk helicopters to the Tuolumne County Search and Rescue team (TCSAR).