Two hikers required rescue after falling off trail on a Virginia mountain on Thursday, getting stuck despite reporting no injuries.
According to the Bedford Fire Department of Bedford, Virginia, Bedford Communications alerted Company 1 to the two hikers who had fallen off trail on Sharp Top Mountain. Support 1 with RAV 1 and Utility 1 with Drone 1 responded with 5 total personnel.
Drone 1 was quickly launched as units arrived on scene, locating the hikers in the air. RAV 1 with 4 personnel utilized the bus trail to reach the closest access to the hikers while staying in communication with the drone pilot.
The hikers were found around 40 feet off trail on an icy slope, and a 3:1 haul system was set up and utilized to pull the hikers back to the trail. RAV 1 brought both hikers down the mountain, returning them to the base without any injuries. Units operated for 2 hours before returning.
Sharp Top Mountain features one of the most popular trails in Virginia, taking hikers to the 3,875 foot summit. The trail is 1.5 miles long and ascends 1,300 vertical feet, offering stunning 360° views of the Peaks of Otter and surrounding landscape.
