Lost Hikers Found in Good Condition

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park rangers worked quickly the afternoon of Tuesday, August 5th, to search the area of the Warner Route for a father and two boys from New Mexico who were reported missing by family members.

The boys, aged 12 and 14, became separated from their father during a short hike. He returned to the parking lot to tell his wife and daughter that the boys were missing and then went back into the canyon to look for them. When he did not promptly return, family members reported their missing parties and a hasty search was started. After several hours of searching along the upper parts of the route and canyon rim, and with approaching darkness, two park rangers carrying overnight gear and extra food and water, hiked to the bottom of the route. The man and two boys were located around midnight at the Gunnison River. They were hungry and thirsty, but otherwise in good condition. They hiked out with park rangers on Wednesday morning.

Acting Superintendent Christine Landrum said, "I am very proud of our park rangers and of the outstanding cooperative effort involved in finding these hikers. They have proven once again that visitor and employee safety is of ultimate importance."

Hikers are reminded to be prepared for a longer hike than planned. Carry water, food, and extra clothing even if you are just going out for a short stroll. Groups should stay together and be sure to get a backcountry or wilderness use permit.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Two Rescues Conducted In Black Canyon of the Gunnison

According to the NPS Morning Report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park rangers and Black Canyon Volunteer Search and Rescue Team members responded to two separate incidents over the Fourth of July weekend.

On Thursday, July 3rd, a 35-year-old Minnesota man who was backpacking with a friend on the South Rim’s Warner Route stepped off a 16-inch rock and broke his lower leg. The pair attempted to splint the lower leg with a trekking pole and a fishing rod, but the steep, loose terrain of Black Canyon made self-rescue impossible.

Rangers and a paramedic spent the night in the canyon with the pair and the SAR team and park personnel conducted a scree evacuation the following morning. The man was transported by ambulance to Montrose Memorial Hospital later that morning.

On Saturday, July 5th, a visitor at South Rim’s Chasm View overlook reported hearing a whistle and cries for help. Rangers on the South Rim were able to spot an individual toward the bottom of the North Rim’s S.O.B. Gully.

A climbing ranger hiked down to the 28-year-old hiker, who had fallen approximately 10 feet and suffered a compound leg fracture. Rangers and a paramedic spent the night with him to provide care, while a scree evacuation was staged for first light the following morning.

Black Canyon Volunteer Search and Rescue, park personnel, Western State Colorado University Search and Rescue, and West Elk Search and Rescue used 11 main and belay line stations of approximately 130 vertical feet each to raise the man a total of 1400 vertical feet. He was then transported via Tri State Care Flight to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

All the inner canyon routes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park are infamous for loose rock, steep drop-offs and abundant poison ivy.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Injured Climber Rescued During Spring Storm

The combined efforts of search and rescue teams from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Ouray Mountain Rescue, West Elk Mountain Rescue and Western State Mountain Rescue resulted in the successful evacuation of an injured climber from the Atlantis buttress during a spring storm this past Sunday.

Black Canyon park officials received a report of an injured climber on Saturday evening. Climbing rangers, including a park paramedic, located the climber late that evening and bivouacked overnight with him, treating his several injuries. The climber was injured when he pulled a large boulder off the wall while leading a pitch on a route called “Hotlanta” on the Atlantis buttress.

Additional technical rescue teams arrived on Sunday to help raise the climber 1,800 feet to the canyon’s North Rim. Intermittent whiteout conditions with heavy, wet snow and gusty winds challenged the rescuers during this high angle rescue.

The climber, who is from Durango, Colorado, was taken to a medical facility with ankle, chest, and facial injuries. He is in stable condition.



Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

Body Found At Bottom Of Park Cliff

NPS Digest is reporting that on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 10th, rangers searching for the driver of an unattended vehicle, located the body of a young man at the bottom of a cliff in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The search was begun after rangers noted that the vehicle had been parked on the North Rim overnight.

The body was recovered on July 11th using a Yellowstone National Park helicopter that was staged at Dinosaur National Monument for a possible fire response.

Rangers are working with the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office and Montrose County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the facts surrounding the incident.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Injured Hiker’s Rescue Requires "Marathon Evacuation Effort" in Black Canyon

NPS Digest is reporting that the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park’s SAR team and Ouray Mountain Rescue successfully evacuated an injured hiker from the Black Canyon’s S.O.B. Route Saturday evening. The operation – possibly the longest scree evacuation in recent years – required the efforts of 20 rescuers and support staff, took more than 24 hours, and required the establishment of multiple hauling stations to move the injured hiker through thick brush up 1800 feet of loose rock and boulders, cliffs and ledges.

Rangers responded to a SPOT locator signal late Friday. An EMT and a paramedic spent the night with the injured Colorado Springs man, stabilized his broken lower leg, and provided support until the rescue could begin early Saturday morning.

The park warns that there are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon. "Routes are difficult to follow, and only individuals in excellent physical condition should attempt these hikes." The S.O.B. Route is suggested for the first time North Rim inner canyon hiker. It drops 1800 feet to the Gunnison River in just 1.75 miles.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com