Local
Yavapai County crews locate stranded backcountry hiker by helicopter
A hiker was rescued near Sheep Bridge on Saturday after rain-swollen creeks swept away essential gear during a weeklong wilderness trip. A final cellphone message prompted a search involving sheriff’s personnel and volunteer rescuers.
A hiker stranded in remote Yavapai County wilderness was found by helicopter early Saturday, after recent rainstorms swelled creeks and carried away his essential camping and survival gear, authorities said.
Yavapai County sheriff’s deputies received a distress call Friday from the man, who was near Sheep Bridge off Bloody Basin Road, north of Cave Creek. He had been in the backcountry for seven days when rising water caught him during creek crossings.
With his cellphone battery nearly depleted, he sent a final message asking for help. His family and law enforcement initiated a search, but rescuers did not have his exact location. The sheriff’s office aviation team and Forest Patrol, along with Yavapai Search and Rescue volunteers, searched the rugged area for hours.
Crews aboard the Rescue 1 helicopter spotted him early Saturday. He was exhausted and scratched, and had been pushed to his physical limits, officials said, but was otherwise healthy.
The sheriff’s office urged people planning backcountry trips to assess their physical limits, check trail conditions and consult updated weather forecasts before setting out. The rescue followed storms that turned creek crossings into hazards and left the hiker without key equipment.