At about 6:30 a.m on September 19, Grand County Search and Rescue, along with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, were alerted to a situation unfolding at Parika Lake near Rocky Mountain National Park when an 18-year-old reported via a Garmin inReach that three members of their party of six college students had gone missing during a backpacking trip.

According to the report from the backpacker, the missing three of their group had gotten separated from the rest of the party just before dark on the night before.

Five teams were mobilized to search for the missing teens, including boots on the ground and drone assets. Just three hours later, at about 9:33 a.m., the missing members of the group were found safe and in good health.

Further investigation into what went wrong revealed that the missing three had become tired, opting to stop and set up camp opposed to continuing on to the final destination of Parika Lake. A lack of communication, however, resulted in the three group members who pushed on being unaware of the decision made by the missing three.

The group was united and able to continue on their backpacking adventure, with all search and rescue team members out of the field by about 11:12 a.m.

This situation thankfully had a happy ending, though it does go to show how important it is to stay together while exploring Colorado’s backcountry and why its crucial to communicate changes in a plan with the rest of the group. Many situations of this nature have proven to cause injury or death in the past.

“Grand County Search and Rescue has responded to a number of calls this year that involve hiking parties splitting up and losing contact with each other,” read a press release on the matter. “We’d like to remind everyone recreating in the backcountry to have a communication plan in place with your group and carry the necessary gear to be able to communicate with each other if you become separated. Many of these incidents can be avoided by waiting for group members at trail splits and staying together. Splitting up essential gear amongst the group only works if the group stays together.”

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