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Hikers encounter tough terrain and ask for help

Due to a change in weather and lack of equipment, they determined that the terrain was outside their capability
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Photo by Austin Henckel on Unsplash

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
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Boulder County, Colo. - On Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at approximately 2:28 p.m., the Boulder County Communications Center was notified of two stuck hikers who had scrambled up the Regency rock formation and were stuck in a cave and unable to get out of technical terrain.

The two 18-year-old males were out hiking when they decided to scramble up the Regency rock formation. Due to the change in weather and their lack of equipment, they determined that the terrain was outside their capability. As a result, they called 911 for assistance.

Rangers from the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks and rescuers from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group located the stuck individuals near the top of the formation. They provided safety and climbing equipment to the stuck males and evacuated from them from the technical terrain using a rope system. The hikers were uninjured.

These hikers did the right thing and realized they could not safely get out of the situation and called for help. Rescue teams in Boulder County don’t charge for rescue and would much rather help someone who is beyond their capability than respond to an emergency after something goes wrong. The Sheriff’s Office encourages those recreating in the foothills and mountains to use conservative decision making while planning routes or trails. Everyone should have proper equipment and training to manage Colorado weather changes and the terrain that you are likely to encounter.

Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, City Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff's Office case number is: #21 - 4898.

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