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RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Latest on two hikers who were found after getting lost in South Dakota's Badlands (all times local):
6:30 p.m.
Authorities say two hikers who spent the night lost in South Dakota's Badlands National Park hiked with rescuers back to their campground and declined medical treatment.
Authorities said Val Bak of Massachusetts and Katie Jacob of Connecticut were thirsty but unharmed when crews found them Thursday.
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office says they were located about two or three miles from a campground where they had left their vehicle and camping equipment.
The sheriff's office says they texted a friend Wednesday night to say they had gotten lost, and the friend notified authorities.
The sheriff's office originally said the hikers were a 23- and a 24-year-old from Vermont, but park Superintendent Mike Pflaum reported different details gathered from the two women.
The hikers didn't immediately respond to telephone and text messages for comment Thursday.
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1:55 p.m.
Authorities have found two hikers from Vermont who were lost in rugged terrain in South Dakota's Badlands National Park overnight.
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office says the 23- and 24-year-old women were located Thursday morning, thirsty but unharmed.
The sheriff's office says they were about two or three miles from a campground where they had left their vehicle and camping equipment.
The two women had texted a friend Wednesday night saying they were lost after heading out for a hike. The friend notified authorities.
Authorities suspended the search about 2 a.m. Thursday and resumed it around four hours later.
The sheriff's office says it took rescue teams about an hour to reach the hikers after they were spotted. Authorities have not released the women's names.
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11:00 a.m.
Authorities are searching for two hikers from Vermont who are missing in rugged terrain in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.
The Pennington County Sheriff's Office says the 23- and 24-year-old women texted a friend Wednesday night saying they were lost. Authorities suspended the search about 2 a.m. Thursday and resumed it around four hours later.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Patty Garland says terrain in the area is hilly with trees and knee-high wild grasses that are difficult to walk through. Garland says it is easy for hikers to become lost if they wander off established trails. There are wild animals in the area, including bison.
Authorities haven't released the women's names. The sheriff's office says the hikers left their vehicle and camping equipment at a campground in the park.
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