DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Two hikers were rescued by helicopter from Telescope Peak Trail in Death Valley National Park on February 1, after sliding downhill in icy conditions.
In spite of wearing crampons, the two men slipped off the trail when crossing a steep, icy drainage, less than two miles from the trailhead. Fortunately, neither hiker was injured. The hikers were not able maintain their footing or climb back up to the trail, in spite of having crampons, trekking poles, and a 200-foot rope.
One of the hikers used a cell phone to call park rangers to request assistance around 10:30 am. Due to the steep terrain and icy conditions, park rangers requested assistance from California Highway Patrol’s H-80 helicopter. The hikers were rescued around 3:50 pm.
Death Valley National Park is the homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone and preserves natural resources, cultural resources, exceptional wilderness, scenery, and learning experiences within the nation’s largest conserved desert landscape and some of the most extreme climate and topographic conditions on the planet. Learn more at www.nps.gov/deva.
Crampons and TREKKING POLES!
Are you kidding me!
Their personalized license plates should read “REI 2 PERIL”
Sounds more like a bunch of self entitled, jealous crybabys , that have nothing better to do in their own lives. Instead you have decided that it’s your position to pass judgment, serve as jury, and executioner. What is the ol story of living in a glass house? Oh your… Read more »
Dear Maria, I am sorry, but that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. What does living in a glass house have to do with this story? I like the outdoors, I’ve climbed a few peaks, I have not nor do I ever plan to, have a helicopter… Read more »
You have to many questions in a very long useless statement.
Dear Maria, None of what I said was a question, except rhetorical, but you probably don’t know what that means , But I will repeat, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY RESCUERS DIE? DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO THE RESCUERS? Too many questions for your tiny brain, sorry,… Read more »
Crampons without an ice ax doesn’t make sense when you’re on steep terrain. “Trekking poles” don’t cut it.
Just one more thing…. Telescope Peak is a “walk” unless you want to turn it into something else. Deliberately scaling a harder route under harsher conditions is what REAL and I emphasize “REAL” mountaineers do, mostly to train for scaling higher peaks. People who read about doing this on the… Read more »
What’s the upside to attempting to summit Telescope Peak during the most productive (snow-wise) winter we’ve had in decades ? Because “It’s THERE” ? Now they have a nice story to tell their buddies about getting a free ride in a CHP airship .
Yeah, in spite of having crampons and trecking poles. I’m surprised the phrase “very experienced hiker” didn’t come up. Just cause you have the equipment doesn’t mean you know how to use it. People used to have to be more careful when the state of communications was different. Now these… Read more »
Reply to Rick, exactly what I said, no point in doing the deed unless you are training for a REAL CLIMB. Let’s hope that those folks have to pay the real price of their little Heli ride. $30,000 to $40,000 or more. I hope for their sake and ours (since… Read more »