A pair of recent rescues show what can happen when you underestimate the backcountry.
On Jan. 11, Summit County Rescue group helped a pair of lost skiers find their way off Buffalo Mountain.
The two had planned a brief trek lasting no more than one hour. Instead, they got lost and spent six hours wandering the woods after dark with no headlamps. Rescuers found them an hour after they called for help and led them back to the trailhead with no injuries.
Lesson number one – always plan for the unexpected in the backcountry. Bring water, food, light and a way to navigate, like a preloaded map on your phone in airplane mode.
Earlier this month, one bold motorist managed to make it 3.5 miles up Georgia Pass, a steep and snowy route access only by snowmobile this time of year.
Summit County Sheriff’s Office says the motorist ignored the closure sign and followed the snowmobile track until he got stuck. And when you’re that far up a backcountry road, a tow truck is not coming to the rescue.
The motorist was there for several hours before deputies arrived. They spent several more hours getting him out.
“After some creative troubleshooting they were able to get the vehicle down to the trailhead, where the driver was issued a summons,” the sheriff’s office said.
Lesson number two – respect road closure. There is still more than enough snow to get stuck, even if it doesn’t look like it at the trailhead.