The plight of a man and woman who got lost while hiking in the Mecca Hills illustrates the importance of being prepared when setting off on an outdoor adventure, sheriff’s officials said Monday.
The hikers, a 75-year-old man and 57-year-old woman, reported at 5:11 p.m. Sunday that they on the Ladder Canyon trail when they got lost.
The pair had only “a small amount of water and no warm clothes,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Olsen.
A Riverside County Desert Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team hiked into the canyon and found the pair, Olsen said. A San Bernardino sheriff’s helicopter brought the hikers out of the canyon and to a sheriff’s command post on Painted Canyon Road.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reminded hikers to bring plenty of food, water and a mobile charging port to keep their cell phones charged when venturing out on hiking trips. Hikers are also advised to be aware of weather conditions and carry climate-appropriate clothing.
–City News Service