Hiker texts wife he’s unwell as he nears summit, Arizona cops say. Then, he collapses
A hiker was rescued after messaging his wife he was unwell and collapsing on a solo trek, Arizona deputies say.
The Prescott man was hiking up Granite Mountain the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a Sept. 26 Facebook post.
As he approached the summit, the hiker started to fell “tingling in his hands,” according to deputies.
Additionally, “his vision was becoming sensitive to light,” deputies said.
The man texted his wife, saying “he was not feeling well,” and started making his trip down the mountain, deputies said.
Shortly after, the hiker collapsed, according to deputies.
However, he managed “to take medication and call 911,” deputies said.
Deputies and volunteers hiked up the mountain and, with help from a Department of Public Safety ranger, found the man, “who was in poor condition,” the sheriff’s office said.
Paramedics hoisted the man from the area and flew him to a nearby hospital, deputies said.
“He is now doing much better,” deputies said.
Granite Mountain Trail, a “moderately challenging route” about a 120-mile drive north from Phoenix, is a little more than an 8-mile out-and-back trek, according to the hiking website AllTrails.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Hiker texts wife he’s unwell as he nears summit, Arizona cops say. Then, he collapses."
