SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, Nov. 9, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Crews from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team successfully rescued a hiker who became stranded Friday night.
The hiker had reached the summit of Mt. Olympus on Friday afternoon, but during her descent, ended up inadvertently going into Heughs Canyon.
“After some time making attempts to re-find the main trail moving through steep terrain with thick brush, she became exhausted (and knew she was lost) and called for help around 4:30 p.m.,” says a post on the group’s Facebook page.
“Two teams of two were dispatched up the main Mt. O. trail with the first team reaching her just before 8:45 p.m. (the second team had arrived at the saddle and was standing by). The first team, using her GPS position and eventually with voice contact, was able to locate her and then assisted her back up toward the saddle.”
The second team helped guide the first back, using shouting and light from headlamps, the statement says.
“Both teams along with the patient descended back down the main trail until the patient sustained a minor injury from a ground level fall near the top of ‘blister hill.'”
Because the hiker was injured, the Department of Public Safety helicopter was called, but its hoist was not available.
“”The DPS helicopter was able to find a suitable location (a ways down and off of the trail from where the fall occurred) to skid load the patient at about 1:30 a.m. The four SAR members then hiked back down the trail and were off the mountain just after 2:30 a.m.”
The group shared photos from the operation, which can be viewed below.
