SAR  helps lost hiker to safety

Custer County Search & Rescue (SAR) was paged around 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, for a report of a lost hiker near Black Elk Peak. The woman hiking solo made it up the mountain via Trail 9, but decided to take a different trail, Trail 4, on the way down. With all the snow, and possibly overlooking a directional sign, she ended up on Trail 3, which led the wrong way from where she had parked her car near Sylvan Lake.

Realizing she was disoriented and on a trail with deep snow, she called 911, which gave rescuers her coordinates on Trail 3. Crews took ATVs and a UTV to the best access (from Little Devils Tower trailhead) but, despite recent warm temperatures, the snow was still too deep for ATV travel. So a team of four started from the trailhead on foot while others waited near the trailhead as backup. 

It took about three hours to reach the lost hiker due to collapsing snow, ice and mud on the trails. Because of the difficult hike in, a decision was made to continue east downhill on Trail 3 to a point closer to Needles Highway. The backup team was sent over with four-wheel drive vehicles to meet them. 

Driving from Sylvan Lake through Custer and back up America Center Road to the east side of Needles Highway, SAR vehicles arrived at the rendezvous point just prior to the search team emerging on the highway with the lost person. She was in good condition and was taken to her car at Sylvan Lake. SAR rescuers were back in Custer a little after midnight.

SAR will hold its annual fundraising dinner at Crazy Horse Memorial Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m. with live and silent auctions for goods, artwork and services donated by local businesses and supporters. Tickets are $15 and available from any SAR member or by calling 431-4097. Advance purchase is recommended.