Chaffee County Search and Rescue North (CCSAR-N) received a report of a distressed solo hiker near the summit of Mt. Columbia around 7:25pm on Saturday, November 2. According to the organization’s Facebook, the hiker was uninjured but was extremely cold and couldn’t feel their feet.
Given their current condition and the cold weather, the hiker was not prepared to spend the night on the mountain and cold related injuries were a serious concern. A ground team was deployed to the trailhead with warming equipment and other supplies, while Flight for Life inserted a team member and warming supplies.
Unfortunately due to high winds near the mountain’s summit, a helicopter extraction was impossible, but the inserted team member was able to make contact and begin warming the subject. CCSAR-N team members were able to successfully remove the hiker from the field by 5:30am.
“As the season changes, a friendly reminder to check the latest forecast and be prepared for brutal winter conditions in the high country. Weather can change quick and it’s always good to have the 10 essentials!” – CCSAR-N
Search and rescue teams throughout Colorado are almost always made up completely of volunteers, putting their lives on the line to save recreators throughout the state. Donations can be made to Chaffee County Search and Rescue North here.