Hiking can be a great way to clear the mind and recharge, but one hiker’s experience on Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, turned into a cautionary tale.
On October 18, 2021, a hiker got lost on Mount Elbert and ended up being ridiculed on social media after ignoring rescue calls because they came from an unknown number. Thankfully, the hiker’s identity has remained anonymous.
According to Lake County Search and Rescue, the individual started their hike at around 9 a.m. and was reported missing at 8 p.m. Search crews initially found no trace of the hiker and concluded that they had likely wandered off the trail and spent the night trying to find their way back.
After 24 hours of being lost, the hiker eventually found the trail and returned to their car, seemingly unaware of the rescue efforts underway. Lake County Search and Rescue detailed the incident on Facebook: “Multiple attempts to contact the subject via their cell phone were unsuccessful.”
The post highlighted a critical takeaway: “One notable take-away is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number. If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe!”
The hiker’s decision to ignore unknown numbers prompted a mix of ridicule and amusement on social media, with many users imagining the scenario of being lost in the dark and dismissing calls as potential telemarketers.
In response to the online mockery, Lake County Search and Rescue defended the hiker, emphasizing that common sense isn’t always apparent in emergency situations. They wrote: “Please remember that what seems like common sense in hindsight is not obvious to a subject in the moment when they are lost and panicking.
In Colorado, most folks who spend time outdoors have a good understanding of the SAR infrastructure that is there to help them, but this is not the case nationwide. Please keep your comments respectful.”
This incident serves as a valuable lesson: if you’re lost and start receiving repeated calls from an unknown number, it might be wise to pick up the phone—it could be your lifeline.
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