A scary situation unfolded in Colorado’s backcountry last week when a group of ten teenage hikers along with camp counselors needed emergency assistance when things started going wrong on a guided hike.

According to Chaffee County Search and Rescue South, a report was received at about 6 p.m. on July 2 related to a hiker who had started vomiting blood and showing signs of altitude sickness at about 11,000 feet, just north of Mount Ouray, which is located in the area of Chaffee County’s Little Cochetopa Creek drainage (note: while it bears the same name, this area is not close to the town of Ouray, which is located in southwest Colorado).

To expedite their response amid the life-threatening situation, search and rescue personnel utilized ATVs and e-bike teams, along with REACH29 aerial support out of Salida. As ground teams arrived at Marshall Pass to mobilize up the Continental Divide trail to Little Cochetopa trail, the REACH29 helicopter arrived at the initial rescue subject, loading up the hiker and transporting the hiker to Salida for medical care – but that ended up being only the start of what would turn into a lengthy mission.

While rescuing the initial subject, it was determined that the group the subject was part of were in need of help, too, reportedly out of food and water and dehydrated, with several hikers vomiting. This part of the group, including nine additional teenage hikers, was located at the head of the drainage where their campsite was located, but in dire straits.

Search and rescue personnel hiked to the second group of rescue subjects via the Little Cochetopa trail, continuing over the Continental Divide to reach the group at about 8:30 p.m.

It was soon learned that the group had successfully summited the 13,961-foot Mount Ouray of the Sawatch Range, but after their summit, their pace slowed and many of the group got sick and were vomiting. Low on food and water, the vomiting led to additional dehydration. On top of that, the group didn’t have lights or warm layers for nighttime conditions.

After search and rescue helped the group rehydrate, it was determined that the hikers would be able to make it to a shuttle pick-up point on their own. That said, they were closely escorted by search and rescue personnel given their lack of lights. Ultimately, the group made it down the Continental Divide trail to staged ATVs to be transported to the Marshall Pass trailhead.

One member of the group who was the most significantly dehydrated during the hike to the shuttle point was closely monitored and soon transported via ambulance to Salida for medical care.

All rescue personnel and subjects were out of the field by 1:30 a.m. on July 3.

The situation was described as a “close call for at least two of the party” by Chaffee County Search and Rescue South. While the group did have a good means of communication, they were “certainly unprepared” for the hike, which took place amid hot temperatures and significant wildfire smoke from various blazes around the state. On top of that, hikers were not properly acclimatized for the elevation and the strenuous activity.

“We often talk about the 10 essentials, and admittedly they often are just extra weight in your pack,” read the follow-up report from Chaffee County Search and Rescue South. “However, when events conspire against your trip plan, the essentials are exactly that; essential. Extra food, water and clothing that seemed like a burden suddenly becomes invaluable. Pack for the unexpected. When your trip goes well, the extra weight becomes an afterthought. When your trip goes wrong, you’ll be very glad you had your supplies. This also means having enough supplies for your entire group, especially if you are guiding.”

Learn more about the ’10 essentials’ here.

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