At 8:20pm on Monday October 2nd, an Incident Commander (IC) who is also an LAAFB member called one of our SAR Team Leaders to initiate a small-team response for a lost hiker. Earlier on Monday, a day hiker became separated from their group deep in the Carson National Forest north of El Rito, NM. Fortunately, the lost hiker found a group of Continental Divide Trail (CDT) thru-hikers who had setup camp early to take shelter from the now-subsiding rain. The thru-hikers shared their limited food, water, and shelter. They also made the call for help via satellite messenger, providing exact coordinates of the camp at the intersection of a primitive forest road and the CDT.
With the knowledge of the hikers’ location and no immediate medical or safety concerns, the plan was to wait until early morning to drive out and pick up the lost hiker. The condition of the forest road was unknown and it was possible the last few miles may have to be covered on foot. While only a few people where needed, two capable vehicles would be required, in case one got stuck.
At 4:30am on Tuesday morning, the IC and two other LAAFB team members started the 2+ hour drive into the field. In the low valleys, frost-tipped trees gave hope that the wet forests roads ahead would be frozen, rather than muddy. However, as they climbed higher, the pavement and well-maintained gravel roads gave way to unmaintained slippery, muddy, and rutted roads. The team stopped to lower the air pressure in the vehicles’ tires, to increase the footprint and traction of the tires.
As the sun began to rise at 7am, the team reached their target coordinates, finding the camp of hikers weary and a bit cold, but happy to see us. After making sure everyone was ok and stocked up on food and water, LAAFB and the now-found hiker began the journey back down the mountain. The thru-hikers stayed behind to pack up their camp and continue their months long journey from the US-Canadian border in Glacier National Park, Montana to the US-Mexican border in southern New Mexico.
On our way back, one of our vehicles got high-centered between ruts in the largest mud-hole of the entire road. With the assistance of the other vehicle and a dynamic recovery strap, the stuck vehicle was easily freed. We proceeded to reunite the lost hiker with another member of their group, aired-up our tires, and returned home by noon. But not before enjoying some well-earned breakfast burritos on the way.
Dashcam video from the mission: