In a world where spam calls bombard our phones daily, one lost hiker’s tale from Mount Elbert, Colorado, takes the cake for the most ironic reason to ignore a ringing phone.
On October 18, an ambitious hiker set out to conquer the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountains, a straightforward seven-hour trek that quickly escalated into a 24-hour survival drama — all because they didn’t recognize the phone number of their would-be rescuers.
The Misadventure Begins
Starting early at 9 a.m., our protagonist embarked on the South Elbert Trail, blissfully unaware of the adventure that awaited.
The trail promised non-technical climbing but an impressive elevation gain of about 4,800 feet.
As daylight faded, so did the hiker’s sense of direction, resulting in them being reported overdue by 8 p.m. Lake County Search and Rescue (LCSAR) sprang into action, unaware that their repeated calls to assist were being swiped away as suspected spam.
Rescue Efforts in Vain
Throughout the night, LCSAR deployed five members who braved the cold in search of the hiker, combing the high probability areas of the mountain.
Despite their best efforts, the search yielded no results, and the team suspended their operation around 3 a.m.
At the crack of dawn, another team of three resumed the search, hopeful yet unaware that the hiker had already returned to their car by this time, ending their unintended wild night out.
Official Rescue Statement
“At approximately 2000 on October 18th LCSAR was called out for an overdue hiker on Mount Elbert. The reporting party reported the subject had started hiking Mount Elbert from the South Trailhead at 0900 that morning, and had not returned by 2000 that evening.
Multiple attempts to contact the subject via their cell phone were unsuccessful. 5 LCSAR members deployed at 2200 to search high probability areas on Mount Elbert, but did not locate the subject, and left the field at approximately 0300 on the 19th.
At approximately 0700 on the 19th, a team of 3 LCSAR members began the search in a new area where hikers typically lose the trail.
At approximately 0930 the reporting party reported the subject had returned to their place of lodging. All personnel were out of the field by 1000.
The subject stated they’d lost the trail around nightfall and spent the night searching for the trail, and once on the trail, bounced around onto different trails trying to locate the proper trailhead, finally reaching their car the next morning, approximately 24 hours after they’d started their hike.
They had no idea that SAR was out looking for them.
One notable take-away is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number.
If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe!
Finally, to Mount Elbert hikers, please remember that the trail is obscured by snow above treeline, and will be in that condition now through probably late June.
Please don’t count on following your ascent tracks to descend the mountain, as wind will often cover your tracks.”
A Teachable Moment
Lake County Search and Rescue used this incident to emphasize a crucial lesson: if you’re lost and receive calls from an unknown number, maybe pick it up — it could be someone trying to ensure you’re not frozen on the side of a mountain.
They highlighted that while the trails to Mount Elbert’s summit are well-trodden, they are significantly obscured by snow beyond the treeline, complicating navigation.
The SAR team urged hikers to respect the unpredictable nature of the mountain and to remember that what seems like common sense in hindsight is not always so clear in the midst of a disorienting situation.
In a follow-up, the rescue team also urged people to treat the hiker’s plight with respect, noting that panic can cloud judgment, and what is obvious from the comfort of one’s home is far from it when lost on a mountain.
When Spam Isn’t Spam
So, the next time your phone buzzes with an unknown number while you’re out adventuring, think twice before ignoring it.
It might just be the call that saves your life — or at least saves you from a chilly night wondering which trail leads back to civilization.
And perhaps, it’s also a good reminder for us all: not every unknown caller is trying to sell you an extended car warranty.
