What!? No SPOT?
Posted: Oct 29 2009 9:54 am
LAKE MONTEZUMA, AZ -- Four hikers were found Monday after getting stranded near Wet Beaver Creek in Northern Arizona over the weekend.
Officials with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said they received a report of four overdue hikers in the Waldroup Canyon, Wet Beaver Creek wilderness area on Sunday morning.
The man reporting the missing hikers, whose son was one of those missing, said the group arrived at the area on Friday morning and were expected back on Saturday evening.
YCSO said the four hikers, identified as 28-year-old Steven Smith and his 21-year-old wife Megan Smith of Glendale, and their friends, 27-year-old Jeremy Borie and his 24-year-old wife Alana Borie of Phoenix, were reportedly experienced hikers and climbers.
The group had camping gear on hand as well as food and other supplies and was prepared to spend the night if necessary.
Forest patrol deputies said they were able to locate a vehicle belonging the group parked in a trailhead area.
But due to the ages of the hikers, and their reported preparedness for the hike, rescue operations were delayed until Monday morning. Deputies were assisted with aerial search operations by Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue.
YCSO officials said the group was found a little after 10 a.m. on Monday and flown to safety.
The hikers reported that they had not expected the extreme rock climbing and boulder hopping conditions, not to mention the number of deep pools that required swimming and flotation of gear. (OK - so you have and have read SOME of the guidebook, but chose to ignore the MANY DEEP POOLS, and "lots of swimming" parts?)
They told officials a 'canyoneering' guide indicated the hike could be completed in about 16 hours, but rescue personnel said the hike should be allowed at least two to three days to complete.
I believe that the 'guidebook' says "TIME NEEDED: This loophike is about 35km but it's hot and dry on the
mesa top, then lots of swimming back down in the canyon.. Strong fast (well, i guess that they will never consider themselves THAT) hikers can do it in 2 days, but 3 days may be best for some.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS: .... MANY DEEP SWIMMING POOLS
AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE: With an early morning start he went up the Apache Maid Trail #15, but had to explore in the heat of the day to reach Waldroup Place. Then into the canyon and out the bottom in 2 FULL DAYS with a total walk time of 16 HOURS.
Well.... at least they are publishing their names, so we'll beware.
Officials with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said they received a report of four overdue hikers in the Waldroup Canyon, Wet Beaver Creek wilderness area on Sunday morning.
The man reporting the missing hikers, whose son was one of those missing, said the group arrived at the area on Friday morning and were expected back on Saturday evening.
YCSO said the four hikers, identified as 28-year-old Steven Smith and his 21-year-old wife Megan Smith of Glendale, and their friends, 27-year-old Jeremy Borie and his 24-year-old wife Alana Borie of Phoenix, were reportedly experienced hikers and climbers.
The group had camping gear on hand as well as food and other supplies and was prepared to spend the night if necessary.
Forest patrol deputies said they were able to locate a vehicle belonging the group parked in a trailhead area.
But due to the ages of the hikers, and their reported preparedness for the hike, rescue operations were delayed until Monday morning. Deputies were assisted with aerial search operations by Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue.
YCSO officials said the group was found a little after 10 a.m. on Monday and flown to safety.
The hikers reported that they had not expected the extreme rock climbing and boulder hopping conditions, not to mention the number of deep pools that required swimming and flotation of gear. (OK - so you have and have read SOME of the guidebook, but chose to ignore the MANY DEEP POOLS, and "lots of swimming" parts?)
They told officials a 'canyoneering' guide indicated the hike could be completed in about 16 hours, but rescue personnel said the hike should be allowed at least two to three days to complete.
I believe that the 'guidebook' says "TIME NEEDED: This loophike is about 35km but it's hot and dry on the
mesa top, then lots of swimming back down in the canyon.. Strong fast (well, i guess that they will never consider themselves THAT) hikers can do it in 2 days, but 3 days may be best for some.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS: .... MANY DEEP SWIMMING POOLS
AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE: With an early morning start he went up the Apache Maid Trail #15, but had to explore in the heat of the day to reach Waldroup Place. Then into the canyon and out the bottom in 2 FULL DAYS with a total walk time of 16 HOURS.
Well.... at least they are publishing their names, so we'll beware.
when it really wasn't but it became.
