FLAGSTAFF — On October 16th at approximately 6:00 PM the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to a report of an overdue hunter in the Cataract Canyon area off of Espee Road. The adult male hunter from Surprise, AZ was last seen by the rest of his party at 3:00 PM and became separated when a strong thunderstorm moved in to the area reducing visibility. The hunting party conducted their own search until about 6:00 PM when they decided to call for help.
The missing hunter had a medical condition and a lack of clothing and equipment that raised the level of concern for the Sheriff’s Office. A ground search was initiated with deputies, officers from Arizona Game and Fish, and Search and Rescue. In the morning hours of October 17th the weather improved enough to allow for air search operations with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit from Kingman.
At approximately 7:30 AM a deputy conducting a containment patrol on Espee Road located the hunter in good condition and transported him to the incident command post where he was interviewed and then reunited with his hunting party.
While the search on Espee Road was getting underway Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue also responded to a report of a lost hiker on the Humphrey’s Peak Trail. The adult female subject from Kentucky called 911 indicating that she was lost and got off trail while descending the trail. A deputy and a US Forest Service Officer hiked up the trail and made voice contact and then physical contact with the subject at 8:10 PM. SAR personnel responded to the area and drove a UTV up one of the Arizona Snowbowl catwalks to get close to the trail. The subject and the rescuers then met and all were transported down to the trailhead.
During both operations the weather was poor with rain, thunderstorms, and cool conditions. It is important that outdoor recreationists pay attention to the weather forecast and carry appropriate equipment for the conditions.
At a minimum those recreating in the outdoors should carry the Ten Essentials which include: water, food, extra warm clothing, navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS), headlamp/flashlight (and extra batteries), first aid kit, shelter material (space blanket/large leaf bag), fire starting kit or backpacking stove, pocket knife/multi-tool, and whistle/signal mirror.
A cell phone is also a very helpful emergency tool but should not be totally relied upon. These items will help keep individuals comfortable during an emergency and also aid rescuers in locating them.