[Dschur]

From the Arizona Daily Sun Flagstaff paper

Stranded hikers rescued from near Humphreys Peak


Tuesday, August 28, 2007


Two adult male hikers stranded near Humphreys Peak early Sunday morning were rescued hours after they phoned for help.

On Sunday at 3:30 a.m. the Coconino County Sheriff's Office received a call from two hikers who indicated that they were cold, hungry and tired and were not able to continue hiking. They were not equipped for the weather conditions or for an overnight stay.

Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit began a search. DPS Air Rescue located the hikers near the false summit above the Humphreys Saddle. Air rescue was not able to land to pick up the hikers because of the location, so sheriff's search and rescue members began hiking up the Humphreys Trail from the Arizona Snowbowl.

Rescuers arrived on scene with the hikers just before 7 a.m. Rescuers stabilized the hikers with warm fluids and clothing and then escorted them down the trail to their vehicle, which was located at the trailhead.

Mountain weather can change quickly, noted county law enforcement officials. What starts out as a warm afternoon can rapidly turn into a cold evening. With the monsoon rains hypothermia is a real danger when hiking in the mountains, even in the summer.

It is advised that hikers should be prepared with basic survival equipment even if they are only planning to go out on a day hike. Survival equipment should include extra food and water, extra clothing appropriate for the conditions, fire starting material or a backpacking stove, signaling tools, such as a signal mirror and whistle, sun protection, a knife, a light source such as a headlamp or flashlight, and navigation equipment, such as map, compass, GPS.

Hikers should also know how to use their survival equipment before setting out for the hike. It is also a good idea to tell a trusted person where you are going and when you expect to return.

[azbackpackr]

Unfortunately, the article doesn't give details as to why these particular hikers got into trouble. I'm assuming they started hiking very late, got caught in the rain, which would indeed be pretty cold if you weren't carrying rain gear. That trail is so crowded! I'm hiking it next Sat. and am not looking forward to the crowds. I am going there to meet up with some old friends who want to hike it, though, so that will be fun.