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SALT LAKE CITY — In the last three days, search and rescue crews from Salt Lake County have headed up Mount Olympus to save lost hikers two times.
"Mount Olympus is one of the more frequent trails where we have rescues," said Unified Police Lieutenant Justin Hoyal.
Around midnight Thursday morning, search and rescue crews saved a 40-year-old solo hiker who got lost and ran out of water. Two days earlier, they saved a father and daughter who got stranded on the mountain and had to phone for help. Many hikers over the years have made the same mistakes.
"It is a difficult, more technical hike," Hoyal said. "People need to be prepared for that."
The county and the United States Forest Service are working on some changes to changes to make it safer.
"The hikers go hiking up the trail to the summit, turn around and come back down," Hoyal said. "When they're coming down, they get off on the wrong trail."
KSL talked with Brian Vaughn of Herriman as he was descending from the summit. He understands how hikers can get lost near the top, even if they're experienced and have a map.
Mount Olympus is one of the more frequent trails where we have rescues.
–Lt. Justin Hoyal
"It's easy to get lost up there," he said. "There are cliffs everywhere."
The final 1/3 mile to the summit is a scramble, where a hiker must use his hands and footholds to get over large rocks. There is a route, but many hikers and Hoyal agree — it's not easy to follow, especially the first time on the mountain. "They follow the trail, but get off on one of many side trails," Hoyal said. "They get what we call 'cliffed out.' They can't go up, they can't go down, and they're just stuck." That's what happened to the father and daughter.
There are other challenges, too. Even though the trailhead is right on the edge of civilization, it heads up into the wilderness. Some hikers get a false sense of what they're in for.
"It's long. It's pretty exposed the whole way," Vaughn said. "There's two in my party, and the other has run out of water. So, be prepared: bring more water than you think you need."
County crews ran 46 search missions in 2011, including five on Mount Olympus. They've already made five rescue attempts this year. The county and the U.S. Forest Service will put new signs on the trail. They'll also put pocket- sized maps at the trailhead with safety tips and information on what you can expect on the mountain.
The county has said they already had those plans in the works before the two recent search and rescue operations.
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"I think the map is a great idea," Vaughn said. "I don't know about the signs. I like to leave things wild."
The county does not know when that work will begin, or when it will be complete but are available maps online. Always plan ahead, and take plenty of water, food and a windbreaker or raincoat. A flashlight is a good idea too, in case you're on the mountain longer than you think, and the sun goes down.
"Most importantly," Hoyal said, "they should take a cell phone. So, if they get in trouble they can call for help."
In June, UHP trooper Aaron Beesley fell from a cliff on Mount Olympus and died in the midst of a helicopter rescue of two hikers. So, every search is risky for the crews too.
"Don't push the limits. If you are in trouble, or feel like you're in trouble, call us so we can get you out of there quicker," Hoyal said.
