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OGDEN — Just off the 29th Street trailhead, Whitney Bates and a large group were celebrating her birthday with a morning hike.
"Wanted to prove I could do a fun hike," Bates said. "My first hike in a few years I think."
As we enter the summer months, Weber County deputies and their team of search and rescue volunteers will likely be busy.
"The weather's good. People are out enjoying it," Lt. Mark Horton said. "We have seen a significant increase in search (and) rescue call outs over the last few weeks."
Still, Horton said the numbers are relatively low so far. A couple of rescues have required help from state agencies, like a mountain biker who had to be flown out near the North Fork trailhead on June 8.
As temperatures reach into the 90s, however, Horton asks that people head out prepared and help avoid some of the more common mistakes.
"Not bringing enough water. Not looking at a weather report," Horton explained. "Always plan ahead, take a little bit extra water, a little bit of extra food. Always have a plan."
Horton adds that it's also important to make sure someone knows where you're headed, and when you expect to be back. Also, make sure you have enough charge on your cellphone in case you need help, or bring a backup battery. He said simply bringing a map, GPS or a trails app can often help people avoid getting lost.
"If you're the person needing assistance, we do advise or recommend that you call 911 to help us out on your exact location of where where this problem might be," Horton said. "If you call a friend or family member and they call us, that's not an option."
