Two Texas hikers had to be rescued last Monday by volunteers after they were “unprepared” for the extreme weather conditions in Colorado.
The Colorado State Patrol dispatched the Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue (AVSAR) group around 2:35 a.m. on June 27 after learning that two hikers were suffering from hypothermia while camped near Lake Como in the Sangre de Cristo range.
On Sunday in the late afternoon, the hikers had ventured into the mountain range, intending to set up camp at Lake Como for the night. However, the two did not make it that far and decided to set up camp about a quarter-mile from the lake.
The Lake Como Road was exceedingly dangerous, according to rescue teams when they arrived, because of the excessive rain, significant risk of rockfall, and extremely slippery rocks.
“These hikers were highly unprepared,” said the AVSAR. “They had no extra clothing and no way to stay dry in their tent, with no rain fly. These hikers said they did not understand why it was so cold and rainy in Colorado because it has been ‘so hot in Texas’ where they hike all the time.”
They reportedly had no extra food, drink, or clothing for the strenuous hike or the night at camp. The two also apparently never looked at any weather forecasts, according to AVSAR.
Rescuers reported that the hikers could not move because they were so cold, and the male subject was vomiting, extremely dehydrated, and suffering from a headache.
Around 8:22 a.m., the subjects were carried down to the Lake Como Road Trailhead by members of the AVSAR team, who also supplied hot water bottles and sugary drinks to rehydrate and warm them. The hikers were then checked out by EMS at the trailhead.
AVSAR warns hikers to always check the forecast of where they will be hiking, purchase adequate equipment to protect against rain and wind, and always carry the 10 essentials.