53°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Cell phone signal was key to rescue of 2 hikers at Death Valley

DEATH VALLEY, CALIF. — A reliable cell phone signal may have meant the difference between life and death for two individuals hiking in a remote area of Death Valley National Park this month.

According to a National Park Service news release, the unidentified hikers were rescued by way of helicopter from Telescope Peak Trail on Feb. 1, after sliding downhill in freezing and icy conditions.

The trail is located near the Mahogany Flat Campground.

In spite of wearing crampons, the two men slipped off the trail when crossing a steep, icy drainage area less than two miles from the trailhead.

A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing.

Aside from ice climbing, crampons are also used for secure travel on snow and ice such as crossing glaciers, snow fields and ice fields, as well as ascending snow slopes and scaling ice-covered rock.

“The hikers were not able maintain their footing or climb back up to the trail, in spite of having crampons, trekking poles, and a 200-foot rope,” the release stated. “One of the hikers used a cell phone to call park rangers to request assistance around 10:30 a.m. Due to the steep terrain and icy conditions, park rangers requested assistance from California Highway Patrol’s H-80 helicopter, where the hikers were rescued at roughly 3:50 p.m.”

Fortunately, neither hiker was injured, according to park service officials.

The release did not indicate where the hikers were from.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
TOWN HALL: Assemblyman Hafen talks voter ID bill, solar energy, parking perks for veterans

Nevada Assemblyman Greg Hafen II (R-Pahrump) hosted his first Live Town Hall of the 2023 Legislative Session last month, discussing a wide variety of topics with his constituents, including solar farms, his proposed voter ID requirement, a veterans’ bill he is sponsoring and more.

Dishwasher saves choking diner at Pahrump Senior Center

Adrienne Fors says she was eating pork and rice when she literally bit off more than she could chew. “When I tried to swallow, it went down my throat and then then it got caught with the curve of my throat. Thank goodness Troy was there to do the Heimlich on me.”

Ruling: Former Nye County commissioner benefited from his vote to increase pandemic-relief funds

The Nevada State Ethics Commissions found earlier this week that former Nye County Commissioner Leo Blundo had failed to disclose his financial interests ahead of a vote to increase pandemic-relief funds to local small business owners. He benefited about $35,000 from the deal, according to the finding of a state ethics panel.

Celebrate life at this popular butterfly release

The event is sponsored by Nathan Adelson Hospice and comforts those who are grieving the loss of a loved ones.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Basin and Blagg intersection closure starts Monday

The construction currently underway on Basin Avenue has been focused on the intersection at Blagg Road for the last few weeks and Nye County Public Works will soon have that intersection back to full use but first, the department will need to close it to regular traffic, a fact which area motorists will want to take note.

SNEAK PEEK: Go inside ‘The Bagel Lady’s’ new Pahrump shop – PHOTOS

Shelly Fisher AKA “The Bagel Lady” is opening Shelly’s NY Bagels on March 25. Fisher has customized the corner suite at 1190 E. Highway 372 and will serve breakfast and lunch there. She tells the Pahrump Valley Times how the local community has helped grow her operation and gave our Faye Burdzinski and John Clausen an inside look at her new operation.

Pahrump fugitive arrested after months on the run

Anthony Bell evaded a SWAT-team standoff earlier this month. Footage shows the suspect brandished a rifle outside Pahrump casino following a fight in December.

LOVE FADING: See what’s become of the notorious Love Ranch brothel – PHOTOS

A year after the Love Ranch sold as part of a $1.3-million acquisition of 23 properties that included this Nye County brothel where NBA star Lamar Odom was famously found passed out from an apparent drug overdose, there’s been little effort to reopen or restore the iconic site. Photojournalist John Clausen went inside to “show us the Love.”