Search and rescue team saves overdue hiker whose shoes had frozen solid

The Alpine Rescue Team rescued a man who had not returned from a hike up Mount Bierstadt on Friday.

According to a social media post, the team was notified of the overdue hiker just after 8 p.m. on Friday. The hiker had set out to climb Mount Bierstadt from the winter trailhead that morning and told his father to call 911 if he didn’t hear anything by 8 p.m.

Team members began their search from Guanella Pass up the summer trail. Around midnight, a team at the creek crossing saw a light flashing a mile north and started breaking trail in that direction. The team located the man at 1 a.m. above a small cliff band. He was unable to move because his shoes had frozen solid. Rescuers began warming the hiker’s feet and belayed him to the ground. They could then hike/ski and made it out of the field after 3 a.m.

The Alpine Rescue Team was also notified of an avalanche on Berthoud Pass with unknown burials at 1 p.m. on Saturday. However, after contacting the parties who triggered the slide they determined that only one member had been partially buried and was able to self-extricate.

In the social media post, the Alpine Rescue Team reminded people to always share their plans and cutoff time with someone not going on the trip, pack extra layers, and bring a light source. It’s also important to call 911 if you see an avalanche and report what you’ve seen.

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Mount Bierstadt. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). (SWKrullImaging)
Mount Bierstadt. Photo Credit: SWKrullImaging (iStock). (SWKrullImaging)

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