FLAGSTAFF — A hiker slid about 600 feet down Humphreys Peak and suffered critical injuries in one of two helicopter rescues on Arizona’s highest mountain this week, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said.
In a Nov. 13 statement reported by FOX 10, the sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit said it responded to the Humphreys Peak Trail on Nov. 8 and Nov. 11, rescuing three hikers in all.
On Nov. 8, two hikers fell into the Inner Basin a few hundred feet from Humphreys Saddle. One suffered a serious leg injury and was lifted out by helicopter hoist and taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, the sheriff’s office said.
On Veterans Day, a hiker slipped near the summit and slid about 600 feet. Rescuers again used a helicopter hoist because of the steep, hazardous terrain, and the hiker was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, officials said.
“Both rescue operations presented significant challenges for ground personnel and helicopter crews due to the steep, icy terrain and high elevation,” the statement said.
Humphreys Peak tops out at 12,633 feet. The sheriff’s office urged hikers to check trail conditions, weather, their experience and equipment before setting out. “Your safety is your responsibility,” officials wrote. “Know your limits, be prepared, and don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Sources: FOX 10 Phoenix / Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: US Forestry Service/Deborah Lee Soltesz / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
