IVINS — Three hikers were rescued Friday after becoming stranded while hiking on Red Mountain in Ivins.
An adult male and two boys were hiking on the mountain when they became overcome with exhaustion, Washington County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Nate Brooksby said.
The hikers reportedly started vomiting and showing other signs of severe dehydration and possible heat illness.
“They ended up stopping and calling 911,” Brooksby said.
In response, crews from Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Division were called to a staging area near the Ivins Animal Shelter on 200 West at approximately 3:30 p.m.
As ground crews began making their way up the mountain, a helicopter crew from Intermountain Life Flight made a supply drop for the dehydrated hikers.
The hikers were able to rehydrate using the dropped Gatorade, snacks and water, Brooksby said, allowing them to regain some strength by the time ground crews reached them.
“It doesn’t look that far, but it takes about two hours to hike up there,” Brooksby told St. George News at the scene, pointing out the hikers and rescue crews in the distance.
When rescue crews arrived, the man and boys were assessed to be in stable condition and were slowly guided down the mountain on foot.
“As long as they’re able to move on their own, it’s much easier for someone to self-extract then to try to carry them out,” Brooksby said.
As they made their way down to safety, a brief reprieve from the 100-plus degree weather came when wind and rain swept through the area, significantly cooling the previously sizzling red rock surroundings.
The boys made it down to the trailhead near the 400 North block of 100 East just before 6 p.m. where they were greeted and hugged by awaiting family. The man made his way down shortly after, also greeted by family.
All three received medical evaluation and additional hydration from an ambulance crew from Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department.
The hikers thanked the many responders for helping them escape the ordeal without serious injury before going their separate ways.
St. George News reporter Hollie Reina contributed to this report.
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Wasn’t the brightest thing to do in theses temps
I hope these were foreign tourists. If they were local there’s no excuse for that level of idiocy. lol
They are not the first and won’t be the last to learn this lesson the hard way. Glad they are all OK and thanks to all those who came to the rescue. It’s nice to know that there are people willing to come to our aid when needed.