A hiker who got lost on a mountain in Colorado unintentionally made it difficult for rescuers to locate them because they ignored repeated calls. The hiker later explained that they did not answer the phone because the number was unknown to them. The incident occurred on Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, when the hiker failed to return after an expedition on October 18.
The hiker was reported missing to the Lake County Search and Rescue team after starting the hike at 9AM and not returning by 8PM on the same day. Despite extensive search efforts by the rescue team the next day, the hiker could not be found. It was later discovered that the hiker had walked off the trail and spent the night trying to find it again.
After approximately 24 hours of being lost, the hiker eventually found the trail and made it back to their car without realizing that a search team had been looking for them. In a statement shared on Facebook, the Lake County Search and Rescue team mentioned their multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the hiker via their cell phone.
“One notable take-away is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number. If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start receiving calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a search and rescue team trying to check if you’re safe,” the statement emphasized.
The statement also reminded hikers planning to climb Mount Elbert to be cautious as the trail is covered by snow above treeline until late June. It cautioned against relying on ascent tracks to descend the mountain due to wind that often covers the tracks.
After facing criticism, the Lake County Search and Rescue team came to the defense of the hiker, explaining that it’s not always easy to exercise common sense in stressful situations when panic sets in. They urged people to be understanding and respectful in their comments, acknowledging that not everyone nationwide is familiar with the search and rescue infrastructure.
In summary, it is important for hikers to answer unknown phone numbers if they are overdue according to their planned itinerary, as it could be a search and rescue team trying to ensure their safety. Additionally, hikers should be cautious when climbing Mount Elbert, especially above treeline where the trail is obscured by snow. Let’s all be supportive and understanding, as what may seem like common sense in hindsight is not always evident in the moment of distress.
