Lost hiker ignored calls from rescuers because of the unknown number, CO officials say

A hiker ignored repeated phone calls from an unknown number while lost on a Colorado mountain.

It was rescuers trying to get in contact with them.

The hiker was lost for 24 hours on Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the state. They were reported overdue Monday, Oct. 18 when they didn’t return from their hike in the evening, Lake County Search and Rescue officials said.

A team of rescuers searched the area, but they couldn’t find the lost hiker. The team tried to call the hiker multiple times, but they couldn’t get in contact with them, rescuers said.

The hiker spent the night searching for the trail and bouncing between different trails to find the trailhead where they had parked, rescuers said. They eventually found their way out and were reported safe.

The person didn’t reach their car until 24 hours after they began their hike. They didn’t know search and rescue was looking for them because they hadn’t answered the phone.

“The subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number,” rescuers said on Facebook. “If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe!”

Mount Elbert is 14,440 feet in elevation and has multiple popular hikes. The trail is covered in snow most of the year.

“Please don’t count on following your ascent tracks to descend the mountain, as wind will often cover your tracks,” rescuers said.

This story was originally published October 24, 2021 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Lost hiker ignored calls from rescuers because of the unknown number, CO officials say."