“One notable take-away is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number,” the statement added, before stressing the importance of answering a call if others ever found themselves in a similar situation. “If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe!
“Finally, to Mount Elbert hikers, please remember that the trail is obscured by snow above treeline, and will be in that condition now through probably late June. Please don’t count on following your ascent tracks to descend the mountain, as wind will often cover your tracks.”
After the hiker in question became the subject of criticism, Lake County Search and Rescue came to their defense, explaining that “common sense in hindsight is not obvious to a subject in the moment when they are lost and panicking.”
