ST. GEORGE — When in the outdoors and in the cold, it pays to be prepared. Two hikers who got lost Monday in Bryce Canyon National Park weren’t.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office reported over Facebook Tuesday evening about the lost hikers and their retrieval by the county’s search and rescue team.
“The conditions were extreme and these two individuals who were from California were not prepared for the winter weather we were having at the time,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote.
Garfield County Dispatch received a call around 6 p.m. from National Park Service rangers who had been contacted about the lost and stranded hikers from a pair of other visiting park hikers.
The hikers who came across the lost ones were described as being “very prepared for the winter weather” at the time.
The county’s search and rescue team was sent out after contact was made with dispatch and the two hikers were subsequently found and retrieved.
“Because of the valiant efforts of The Bryce Canyon Park Rangers and the Garfield County Search and Rescue, these two lost and stranded individuals were assisted back to safety and their lives were saved,” the Sheriff’s Office posted.
Like other agencies, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office asks for individuals who plan to enjoy the outdoors to do so adequately prepared.
The National Park Conservation Association provides the following tips for winter hiking:
- Plan ahead.
- Dress in lots of layers.
- Wear appropriate footwear.
- Pack sufficient supplies.
- Tell others your plan.
- Use the buddy system.
- Remember, it’s winter!
To learn more about these steps in detail, visit the NPCA’s website.
The Grand Canyon National Park website also provides recommendations and tips concerning winter recreation.
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Twitter: @MoriKessler
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If there’s one thing about Bryce, it’s freakin’ COLD up there.
I’ve camped near Tropic Reservoir and night time temps were in the upper 20’s. In June!
Make these people payback the Utah taxpayers for their rescue…