A dramatic rescue unfolded in the mountains of Colorado as a hiker was left behind by his colleagues during an office retreat, only to endure a harrowing night alone in stormy weather.
The unnamed man found himself without phone signal after being abandoned by his colleagues on Mt Shavano, a 14,000ft high peak. Despite reaching the summit on his own, he became disorientated on the descent and was left stranded in bad weather.
Chaffee County Search and Rescue teams were alerted to the situation and launched a large search effort, battling high winds and freezing rain to locate the missing hiker. After multiple falls and struggles to get up, the man was finally found in a gully the next morning.
The rescue involved technical rope lowers and incredible teamwork from multiple agencies, ultimately leading to the hiker being stabilized and taken to hospital. His current condition remains unknown.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of hiking safety, with officials urging people to never hike alone and to always be prepared with bright clothing and essential supplies. The hiker’s lucky break in regaining cell service and calling for help highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected in the wilderness.
