Hiker Rescued After Becoming Disoriented Near Independence Pass, Colorado

A hiker was safely rescued Monday evening, September 29th, after becoming disoriented in the rugged Coleman Creek drainage near Independence Pass in Colorado, according to Mountain Rescue Aspen.

At approximately 6:49 PM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a call from a hiker who had veered off-trail while navigating the Midway Pass Trail. The individual found themselves stranded roughly 800 vertical feet above Highway 82 in steep, trailless terrain. Recognizing the danger of attempting to descend alone, the hiker contacted authorities for help.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) quickly mobilized, dispatching a team of seven volunteers to the area. A Hasty Team was sent up Coleman Creek and located the hiker around 8:30 PM. Though cold and hungry, the hiker was uninjured but needed assistance to navigate the challenging terrain. MRA personnel guided the individual safely down to a staging area on Highway 82, with all parties out of the field by 9:50 PM.

MRA used this incident as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mountain environments. Authorities urge outdoor recreators to carry personal satellite communication devices, proper navigation tools, and to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions in the high country.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the all-volunteer Mountain Rescue Aspen team for their swift response and ongoing dedication to serving the community.

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• Hiking