GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah, April 29, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Garfield County crews rescued six hikers who became stuck in Sandthrax slot canyon Sunday night.
Dispatch received a call at approximately 9 p.m. reporting that the group from the Denver, Colorado, area, whose ages range from 20 to 60 years old, were stuck, said a news release from Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
The slot canyon is located on BLM land in the Leprechaun Canyon Area around Boulder, which is 27 miles northeast of Escalante.
“This slot canyon requires rappelling and other difficult tasks and the individuals were amateur hikers and unprepared for this kind of hike,” the news release said. “It was reported that one of the hikers got stuck in a narrow space and could not get out. The other individuals except for one were unable to get around her.”
The one individual that that got out hiked out and got a ride to Hanksville, then called dispatch. The Search and Rescue teams from Garfield and Wayne counties and the Department of Public Safety Helicopter were called out for the incident.
The Search and Rescue teams, as well as the helicopter, got to the area where the individuals were trapped. Teams first assisted the person who was stuck in the slot. The helicopter flew that person, who was suffering from hypothermia and minor injuries, to Moab Regional Hospital.
The helicopter then went back to the area to assist in getting the rest of the party out. No other injuries were reported.
“Garfield County Sheriff and deputies would really like to express the importance of knowing the area you are going to hike at,” the news release said. “Be overprepared for any situation that could arise. Always make sure you have plenty of water and food. We have some amazing areas to hike in our county and one of our biggest concerns is the safety of all individuals.”
