ST. GEORGE — An afternoon hike ended in a steep rescue mission on Monday after a couple found themselves unprepared for the temperatures and terrain, authorities say.
Chief Hunt with the Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire and Rescue said they received a call at approximately 1:30 p.m. regarding a 68-year-old woman who had been hiking with her husband near the Virgin River Canyon Campground, accessed by the Cedar Pocket Exit.
While exploring the south side of the campground along the Virgin River, she reportedly began to feel weak, so they opted for a steep route through the campground from the north side as a shortcut for their return.
“She was unable to do it,” Hunt said. “And she collapsed there. Just couldn’t get up. She was extremely weak.”
When Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire personnel arrived, they attempted to walk the woman back down the hill but were unsuccessful. Hunt used a utility terrain vehicle, hoping to come around the same direction, but was also unsuccessful due to the vertical slope. That’s when he called for the Washington County Sherriff’s Office Search and Rescue High Angle Team, which responds to people stranded on cliffs, falls and searches in difficult terrain.
Initially, Hunt said he also requested a hoist, but upon the Sheriff’s Office’s arrival, they discovered there was an ample supply of ropes and responders to complete the rescue.
Responders successfully positioned the basket and loaded the woman while several individuals pulled on various lines to navigate her up the steep incline. At the top of the embankment, a 3-foot cliff edge posed a challenge, requiring search and rescue team members to lift the woman over and go around before descending back down for medical treatment.
The woman received on-site treatment with nearly 2 liters of intravenous fluids, which appeared to have a positive effect, Hunt said. She was then transported to St. George Regional Hospital. Hunt noted that the air-conditioned journey also contributed to the woman’s comfort and well-being.
“By the time she got to the hospital, she was still weak and wasn’t able to really get up and walk, but she was feeling better by that time,” he said.
Hunt indicated that he suspects the couple is from California, judging by the license plate on their motorhome.
With temperatures on the rise, Hunt advised hikers to carry plenty of water and be prepared for the specific type of hike and terrain they will encounter. Additionally, they have received reports of red racer snakes, known for their reddish-brown coloration and their ability to move quickly, and rattlesnakes in the area.
This report is based on statements from first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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