Hiker calls for help on dark Hawaii trail. Rescuers say to ‘remain in place’ for night
An 18-year-old hiker called for help from a Hawaii trail and was told to stay the night, rescuers said.
The lost hiker called rescuers around 6:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, from the Castle Trail in Hauula, on the island of Oahu, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a Feb. 28 news release.
He had been hiking the trail since noon and couldn’t return because it became dark, rescuers said. He told rescuers he wasn’t injured.
Rescuers located the man on the trail through his phone’s GPS that night, and saw he was near the peak of the trail, officials said.
But because of “unfavorable weather conditions,” rescuers told the hiker to “remain in place” until they could reach him the next day.
The hiker was airlifted to safety the next morning around 6:45. He didn’t have any injuries, officials said.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
Have more than enough food and water with you.
Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Hiker calls for help on dark Hawaii trail. Rescuers say to ‘remain in place’ for night."
