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SANDY — A teenager is safely at home after a hiking trip turned into a rescue operation in Sandy.
An evening hike seemed like a great idea for Mitchell Hess, 17, and two of his friends. They set out for what they thought would be an easy hike at Rocky Mouth Canyon just above Sandy.
But that adventure took a dangerous turn when Hess found himself stuck near a waterfall, with only slick rocks to hold onto.
His friend Josh Hooton said, "He just went like one too many steps I guess. He couldn't get a good hold to get down."
The two friends raced down the mountain to call for help. Within minutes, search and rescue arrived.
I was holding on for, how long was it? Three hours. I started getting Charlie horses in my legs. It was really bad.
–Mitch Hess
Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police Department said, "He can't climb any higher, can't get back down."
As darkness fell, the rescue operation became more difficult.
"Rescues are always a lot easier during the daylight hours," Hoyal said. "They have a much more difficult time seeing in the dark. But we're doing everything we can to get him down safely."
"I think they're just going to belay some of the rescuers down from above the waterfall," he added. "They're just going to grab him and belay him the rest of the way down."
It took 20 search and rescue members nearly four hours, but Mitchell made it down safely.
"We were hiking because we were bored and these guys wanted to hike around," he said. "But I decided to hike up the waterfall and got stuck. It was really wet and I didn't know what to do."
"It was really wet, and I was holding on for, how long was it? Three hours. And I started getting Charlie horses in my legs. It was really bad."
He says he's grateful to the friends and teams that helped him.
"They did great," he said. "I'm very thankful for them because I would have died. I was really high up, and I'm just really thankful for them."
"My legs are killing, but it's good," he added.
The search and rescue team members say as the weather turns warmer, more people will head out for hiking trails. The public should remember that there are many potential dangers and it's important to be prepared for all conditions, especially for those who venture out in the dark.
