*** Two Adults, Five Children Overdue on Pikes Peak *** To: Search & Rescue Info Date sent: Tue, 21 Nov 95 09:20:15 -0800 From: Ron Lee Subject: 7 overdue hikers on Pikes Peak To: sarinfo@mindlink.bc.ca Two Adults, Five Children Overdue on Pikes Peak Colorado Springs, CO - November 20, 1995 1635 hours: El Paso County Search and Rescue members received the following page: "All members report to the top of the Peak for a search and possible rescue of several missing people. Temp with wind is below zero. R70 is command. Need drivers." The reporting party (RP) was part of a group from Kansas. The RP had driven to the summit of Pike's Peak by to await the arrival of the rest of the group who were hiking the 16 mile Barr Trail from Manitou Springs, CO. The elevation at the summit is 14,110 feet (4301 meters). The initial report was taken by the Pike's Peak Rangers. The group of 2 male adults and 5 children ranging in age from 9 to 14 years old departed the Manitou Trail Head at 0800 hours. They were reported overdue by the RP after 1600 hours. Search and Rescue radioed Russ Carpentier, caretaker at Barr Camp located about halfway along the trail. to see if the group had checked in. Russ radioed back that the group stopped at Barr Camp around 1230 hours and continued up the trail 1300 hours. They continued on up the mountain against his advice. Russ advised that the group was not dressed for the severe temperature drops that occur in the afternoon on the east face of the mountain and that some of the children were wearing tennis type footwear. At around 1615 hours a Pikes Peak Ranger spotted 4 persons well below the summit traveling at a very labored pace. (estimated to be about 4-5 trail miles below the summit and probably at tree-line or 10,500-11,000 ft elev.). Other members of the group could not be spotted. In view of the rapidly declining temperatures (already estimated below zero wind-chill at the summit), the age of children, the lack of cold weather clothing and proper footwear, slow progress and other factors it was determined that rescue teams shall be deployed. The page went out to the El Paso County SAR team and one person from Barr Camp headed up the trail. Meanwhile one adult separated from the groups and headed up the mountain ahead of the others. Finally the second group of 3 became visible. It turned out the adult who headed on up the mountain was identified as a 'Dr. Anderson'. It is not known if he was a medical doctor. He had gone ahead to report on the condition of the rest of the group. At this point in time there were two groups of 3 children and one adult on the trail. Rescue teams arriving at the summit by road immediately headed down the trail with warm clothing, energy snacks and water to intercept the hikers. The first group was located at the bottom of '16 Golden Stairs' and the other a short distance below. After a short rest, everyone headed up the trail at a much better pace. The person from Barr Camp was contacted by radio to return. The mission was closed at 2005 hours with everyone off the mountain and at the Pikes Peak Highway Toll Gate in Cascade, CO. Points to ponder: - Adults choosing to continue against advice of the caretaker, one who is obviously familiar with conditions on the mountain. - Taking children (or anyone) from the flatlands of Kansas to the top of a 14,110 ft mountain over a 16 mile trail without proper cl= othing. Signs at the trailhead warn of the changing weather conditions prevalent in the area. - Having no survival gear, flashlight or proper footwear for the hike. - Allowing separation of the groups. - Leaving one group of 3 children without an adult. - The recuperative effects of warming, energy food and rest on tired hikers. - The danger had hypothermia been allowed to continue. ------------------------------