Routt County Search and Rescue volunteers spent ten hours rescuing a couple in the Steamboat Springs, CO wilderness on Sunday after the weather changed and they were stranded in just shorts and t-shirts.
The hikers started at Mad Creek trailhead, and by 4:30 pm were about halfway between there and Elk Park trailhead, reports the Steamboat Pilot. They called for help after they had trudged through deep snow for a while, and were cold, wet, and tired.
Crews reached the pair at around 10:30 pm, and due to how they were dressed, and how long they and rescue teams had already been out, it was decided to send in a helicopter to haul them and some of the rescuers out. Four rescuers walked back, returning to base at 2 am.
“Look at your weather forecast; be properly dressed for the weather to turn in a heartbeat. Maybe think sooner than later, ‘Is this a good idea to continue?’”
– Kristia Check-Hill, incident commander with Routt County Search and Rescue
The weather in Steamboat Springs on Sunday ranged from a high of 78º to a low of 36º, and featured rain, sun, and snow.
Front range CO import