NBC News reported that the hiker, whose name remains undisclosed, did not respond to several attempts by the rescue team to establish contact after they had been missing for a full day.
The situation unfolded when the hiker was reported missing following their failure to return from a journey on October 18, 2021.
Attempting to conquer Mount Elbert, which stands as the tallest peak within Colorado, the hiker ventured out, as mentioned by Lake County Search and Rescue.
Throughout the subsequent day, Lake County Search and Rescue teams scoured the area but were unable to locate the hiker, who had strayed from the designated path.
The lost hiker spent the night trying to rediscover the trail amidst the vast landscape.
Reflecting on the incident, Lake County Search and Rescue shared on Facebook:
“Multiple attempts to contact the subject via their cell phone were unsuccessful.”
“If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it could be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe! Finally, to Mount Elbert hikers, remember that the trail can be obscured by snow above treeline, and it will likely remain that way until late June. Don’t rely on your ascent tracks for descent, as wind often erases your tracks.”
“Please remember that what seems like common sense in hindsight is not obvious to a subject in the moment when they are lost and panicking.”
Truthfully, I’ve never felt more connected to someone’s experience in my entire life.
