Clarkdale AZ (June 23, 2015) – On Sunday, June 21, 2015, at 12:30 AM, deputies were dispatched to an area along the Verde River north of Clarkdale, Arizona, regarding a stranded 33-year-old female. The caller stated that his girlfriend and their 2 sons, ages 6 and 7, had been hiking along the river and around sunset, he and the boys decided to return to their motorhome requiring a nearly 200’ climb up a canyon wall. His girlfriend stayed back and once darkness fell, she felt she could not climb out on her own. Her boyfriend indicated she did not have a flashlight or cell phone, was not dressed for cold weather, and was becoming distressed. At the scene, deputies could hear the subject in the canyon, but could not understand her.
Deputies called out the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Rescue Team’s Back Country Unit, who were assembled by 3AM and had to repel down the canyon wall to access the stranded female. Once they determined she was not in immediate distress, the team was able to slowly escort her out via a wash and reunite her with family around 5AM. The family was very appreciative regarding the efforts of rescue teams working throughout the night to insure her safety.
Although the foursome should have concluded their hike earlier to avoid darkness and the likelihood of confronting steep terrain returning to camp, they did the right thing concerning the stranded hiker by waiting for rescue professionals to get her out safely. There was a very obvious risk of injury if she had tried to maneuver her way out in pitch black darkness against unfamiliar and steep terrain.