Missing hiker stranded overnight after texting friends he was lost on Hawaii trail
A missing hiker was stranded overnight after losing his way on a Hawaii trail, fire officials said.
The man in his 30s texted his friends he was lost Oct. 12 while hiking on the Crouching Lion Trail in Kaaawa, a community in Oahu, the Honolulu Fire Department said in a news release.
Rescuers got a call for help at about 6:16 p.m.
His friends set out to find him but were “escorted” off the trail by rescuers, fire officials said.
Rescuers tried to locate the hiker by using GPS information from a photo he had sent his friend, officials said.
But when rescuers got to the area where the photo was taken, they said they couldn’t find him.
They did find his phone, though.
At 9:34 p.m., rescuers stopped search efforts, officials said.
The next day, rescuers spotted him from a helicopter in a “precarious position” in a tree, officials said.
He was airlifted from the area and didn’t report any injuries, officials said.
The Crouching Lion Trail is less than a half mile out-and-back hike, according to AllTrails. The trail has been closed to the public since April 2021, the outdoor website said.
The hike is short, steep and requires scrambling at some points before reaching views of Kahana Bay, according to Oceanus Adventure.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
Have more than enough food and water with you.
Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Missing hiker stranded overnight after texting friends he was lost on Hawaii trail."
