A hiker suffered a lower leg injury after slipping on South Loop trail this past Sunday, prompting a rescue operation by local search and rescue teams. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m., and involved a hiker who was trekking without crampons or traction devices, which are essential for icy trail conditions, as reported by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue instagram post, "Upon arrival, a SAR officer and Mountain Rescue volunteer were inserted to the victim's location via hoist." The victim was treated on-site before all three were extracted using the hoist system of AIR1, the search and rescue helicopter. The victim was then transported to a local hospital for further care.
To address the repeated rescue operations, search and rescue is collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service and "other partner forces to ensure adequate warning signage of the conditions are placed at all trailheads," hoping to reduce future incidents. They stress the necessity for potential hikers to properly equip themselves. "It is not safe to hike without crampons or micro spikes on these icey trails," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue warned in their post. With winter setting in, outdoor recreationists are urged to prepare accordingly for the hazardous conditions of the season.
