74-Year-Old Hiker Rescued 30 Miles From His Destination in Colorado’s Vasquez Peak Wilderness
A 74-year-old hiker required rescue from the Vasquez Peak Wilderness Area on June 2nd after a detour around snowfields sent him so far off course that he ended up nearly 30 miles from where he had parked his vehicle.
According to Grand County Search and Rescue, the man left his intended route to avoid snowfields, lost the trail, and was unable to find his way back. Rather than continuing to wander, he climbed to a higher peak in search of a cell signal, reached 911 at 3:56 p.m., and stayed put while Grand County Sheriff’s Office dispatch used the call to pinpoint his coordinates.
A six-member Grand County Search and Rescue team located him at approximately 8:01 p.m. and guided him to a trailhead where additional SAR personnel were standing by. The subject and all team members cleared the field by 10:00 p.m. He was then transported back to the trailhead where he parked his car and intended to finish the hike, roughly 30 miles away.
Grand County Search and Rescue urged backcountry users to carry the 10 essentials, including a map, extra clothing, and emergency shelter. The agency also pointed out that many newer smartphones can text 911 via satellite even without cell reception, and recommended that hikers always leave a detailed plan with someone before heading out, including their intended route and expected return time.
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