Officials in Las Vegas have taken to social media with a plea to be prepared for winter conditions after rescuing nine hikers on one trail in several weeks. They say that most of these hikers had set out without proper equipment for the trail, which is "heavily iced" at this time of year.
"LVMPD Search and Rescue (SAR) teams have conducted four operations in which 9 people were rescued in the past several weeks on South Loop Trail, many involving serious injuries due to icy conditions and lack of proper equipment."
South Loop Trail is a difficult 17.5-mile roundtrip trail that takes hikers to Mt Charleston Peak, the highest point around Las Vegas, at 11,916ft. It's recommended to do this hike during the summer months when it's snow-free. In the winter months, it requires mountaineering equipment and experience as it is extremely dangerous – a hiker died of exposure there in May of 2018.
According to the release, the first incident took place on Thanksgiving Day, when two hikers slipped in icy conditions despite the fact that they were wearing Microspikes. One of the hikers slid 500 feet into a rock and suffered a broken ankle.
A week later on December 6, another hiker broke their ankle after sliding 50 feet into a tree. Neither this hiker nor their two partners were wearing traction devices.
December 12 brought a very similar – and even more serious – incident when another trio took to the trail.
"One slipped, sliding 100 feet and colliding with a tree, causing severe leg injuries. Another slid an additional 100 feet before stopping on a ledge," writes LVMPD .
In that case, search and rescue teams conducted a complex rope and hoist rescue. Only three days later on December 15, another hiker without traction devices slipped and sustained a lower leg injury. Once again, a hoist rescue was required to extract the victim, who was then airlifted to the hospital.
This rescue team says it is working with the Forest Service to improve warning signage at trailheads regarding the conditions, but in the meantime, it's up to hikers to practice personal responsibility and heed the following:
- Bring crampons: SAR describes this piece of kit as "essential" for this trail. Scroll down for our recommendations for the best crampons.
- Check the conditions: use a reliable weather app and know how to read a mountain weather forecast. You can find the Mt Charleston forecast here.
- Wear proper winter hiking layers, gloves, and a hat.
- Bring a fully charged phone and backup charger, extra food, water, and emergency supplies like a first aid kit, fire starter and emergency shelter or blanket.
- Know your limits: if the trail looks too dangerous, turn back.
