Utah's Garfield County Search and Rescue team had to use their rappelling gear and a helicopter to rescue a hiker from Colorado stuck in a slot canyon.

Slot canyons are know for their skinny or narrow passageways.

A news release from the Garfield County Sheriff's Office said 42-year-old Rob Lougee of Brighton, his wife and two other hikers from Salt Lake City were rappelling in the Three Forks area Sunday. Three members of the group made it through the other parts of the narrows, but Lougee got stuck. The skinniest part of the narrows was smaller than 16 inches wide.

Lougee did not have the gear or the ability to back up and he couldn't go down, so he waited for help on a ledge about the size of a kitchen table.

Lougee's wife made it out of the canyon and called the sheriff's office while his two male friends hiked back to the top of the canyon to spend the night near Lougee.

Help arrived Monday morning. The Garfield County Search and Rescue team was brought in by a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter. That was fortunate because when they arrived, rescuers had nowhere to anchor their ropes. They ended up using the helicopter as an anchor. Then the team rappelled down to Lougee and helped him climb back out.

Search and Rescue member Mike Alhstrom said, "It's important to take extreme caution in the backcountry of Garfield County, and not rely solely on guide books for information regarding your planned hike. It's good idea to ask questions of the locals and the sheriff's office who know the country here better than anyone and can help make sure that you will be safe."

Lougee was unhurt, slightly dehydrated, but OK, according to medical personnel.

It was well below freezing Sunday night at Three Forks, but Lougee was prepared with the proper outdoor equipment to handle the cold.

The Three Forks area is about 28 miles southeast of Hanskville (just off SR 95).