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KINGS PEAK, Summit County — A 77-year-old Provo man who was missing for three days and four nights on Kings Peak was found alive and in good condition near Painters Basin early Sunday afternoon, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
Christian Herrera was spotted by an aerial crew about 12:30 p.m. and recovered by ground searchers a short time later. Herrera was placed in a medical helicopter, which flew him to a trail head. He was treated on scene for dehydration and minor injuries then reunited with family members, who were "elated," a press release stated.
"He drank from the streams so that he didn't dehydrate and he also found thick vegetation to lie in so that he would keep warm at night," said Kacey Bates of the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
Thirty to 40 searchers were looking for Herrera at any time by air and on the ground on horseback and on foot. Tracking dogs were also used," Bates said.
A press release described the terrain as "rugged." It includes boulder fields, meadows and dense masses of trees.
Herrera became separated from his group Thursday when he got off the horse he was riding around 2 p.m. to take photographs at Gunsight Pass. Members of his group searched for him for several hours but they left the area about 9 p.m. to call for help.
Friends said Herrera had appropriate clothing and supplies for the afternoon horseback ride but was not prepared to stay on the mountain overnight.
He was wearing a windbreaker, khaki pants, a tan hat and hiking boots. He was using trekking poles when he went off on his own.
The group had planned to summit King's Peak, sheriff's deputies said.
Herrera's family asked for privacy and declined requests for interviews.
Contributing: Nicole Vowell
