Stranded hikers climb ravine wall to call for help at national park, Ohio officials say
Three hikers exploring the sites of a national park with a 60-foot waterfall got lost and found themselves in a dire situation, Ohio officials said.
The trio got lost near a ravine at Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Macedonia the afternoon of Dec. 4, so they tried to climb the walls surrounding it to alert for help, Macedonia fire officials said in a Dec. 5 news release.
Nearly an hour and a half later, the fire department learned the hikers were stuck in the ravine and set out to rescue them, according to the release.
All three were pulled from the ravine by 6:30 p.m., nearly two hours since they started calling for help, officials said. One of the hikers was rushed to a trauma center with injuries, according to the fire department and WKYC.
The injured man’s condition is unknown.
Temperatures in Macedonia were between 20 and 36 degrees Dec. 4, according to The Weather Channel.
Macedonia is about a 25-mile drive southwest from Cleveland.
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 December 5, 2024 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Stranded hikers climb ravine wall to call for help at national park, Ohio officials say."
