Campers, Dogs Rescued After Being Trapped For 2 Weeks In Snowy Ventura County Wilderness

NEAR CASTAIC (CBSLA) – A man, woman and their two dogs were safely rescued Wednesday after their vehicle got snowed in for 14 days in the Ventura County wilderness.

The couple, both in their 30s, and their dogs spent two weeks trapped on Alamo Mountain, about 37 miles northwest of Castaic in the Los Padres National Forest, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) reported on Twitter.

The two had run out of food and water when they were reached Wednesday by an LASD Air Rescue chopper and SEB medics. They were airlifted out to safety.

Sheriff's Deputy Charles Miranda, one of the paramedics who helped in the rescue, told CBS2 that the couple were able to hike out to an area where the got better cellphone reception and called 911.

"They had camping gear," says Miranda. "They had food, they had two dogs with them. They've been melting snow for water."

Miranda said that they were in good condition given the circumstances.

"They're a little dehydrated," Miranda said, "Very tired, very scared. Sunburned. The sun reflects off the snow and makes the burns even worse. But generally, they're in good condition."

Their names were not released. The details regarding how they first got trapped were not disclosed, but officials said snowfall in the area had been heavy. A series of three storms last week brought several inches of rain and snow to Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

It's unclear exactly where their vehicle got stuck. The couple is now back home and doing OK.