On Thursday, December 12th, personnel from Las Vegas Metro Search and Rescue conducted an operation on the South Loop Trail near Echo Overlook. According to the a social media post from the organization, two hikers had injured themselves after slipping on the icy conditions.
Three hikers were headed down the trail when one slipped, sliding into another hiker and causing them both to slide down the steep, ice covered side of the mountain. One hiker came to a stop around 100′ below the trail after colliding with a tree, leading to severe leg injuries. The second hiker kept sliding before coming to a rest on a ledge about 100′ below the first, fortunately making it out without any major injuries.
The third hiker was able to call 911 and AIR1 responded, inserting a single SAR officer into the location of the first injured hiker. An attempt to insert two more SAR officers failed due to high, gusty winds, so a ground operation sent four SAR officers and seven Mountain Rescue Volunteer hikers on the trail with equipment to conduct a rope rescue and carry out the second victim.
The hike was several miles long, and upon the crews arrival, AIR1 was able to return to extract the second injured subject. The third hiker, uninjured, hiked back down the mountain with the team, getting off safely.
