HELPER, Utah, March 28, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials in Carbon County rescued two students who became stuck on a ledge near the Balance Rock area of Helper Friday night.
A news release from Carbon County Sheriff’s Office said dispatch was advised at approximately 7:20 p.m. that two people, later identified as 20-year-old college students from Utah State University Eastern, were stuck.
Because of time, terrain and location, Sheriff Jeff Wood requested that members of the CCSO Search and Rescue team try to find and assist the man and woman, the news release said.
Search and Rescue teams responded to 150 Ridgeway St., Helper, where the students started their hike. Crews continued to the Balance Rock area in an attempt to locate the hikers.
“After hours of searching by foot, trucks and UTV’s with no luck, it was determined that the missing hikers — who could not see the lights of Helper — were possibly stranded in the Box Canyon area, which could only be accessed by foot,” the news release said.
At approximately 1 a.m. Saturday, searchers were able to hear the voices of the students, and located the pair approximately 45 minutes later.
Due to the severity of the landscape, including loose rock, poor footing, darkness and ledges, the Search and Rescue team had to use rope rescue equipment to descend off the ledges and down the mountain. Nobody was injured during the rescue, which was completed at approximately 3:45 a.m.
Wood said the incident was a useful reminder to hikers to always pack enough food and water as well as clothing, a fire source for heat if needed, a flashlight, cell phone, rescue and emergency blanket. He also advised hikers to let someone know where they were going and when they planned to return.
