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Alpine Rescue Team sees dangerous trend amid busy summer in Colorado

Rescue team seeing more unprepared hikers
Posted at 4:30 AM, Sep 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-08 08:25:41-04

EVERGREEN, Colo. – It has been busy summer for the Alpine Rescue Team. They've completed a hundred rescue missions so far -- and the season is not over yet.

The team is made up of 65 volunteers who take time off from their jobs to rescue people. It's the ultimate side gig for many volunteers, and Dawn Wilson is one of those. She says this summer was a little bizarre. 

"We found a lot more people weren't just having accidents, they were just more unprepared for the terrain that they were venturing into," said Wilson. 

It's starting to become a trend for the group. Rescues are taking place more so on fourteeners, mountains with peaks higher than 14,000 feet. 

"People climb it thinking it's going to be a lot easier than it is. If you go up the Torrey's Peak route, you may need a helmet, rope harnesses and a lot of experience to do so to be safe," Wilson said.

Anyone planning to hike a fourteener should pack the following 10 essentials:

  • First aid kit
  • Map and compass
  • Pocket knife
  • Matches/fire starter
  • Shelter
  • Flashlight
  • Warm clothes and rain gear
  • Food
  • Water
  • Sunglasses

Alpine Rescue Team offers free hiking classes: Click here