This Hiker Stayed Lost Because He Refused to Answer an Unknown Number
A hiker in Colorado remained lost overnight after ignoring repeated phone calls from rescuers because the number on his phone was unfamiliar. The incident unfolded on Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the state, and has since become a cautionary example of how modern habits can complicate emergency response.
The man set out alone on October 18, 2021, beginning his hike around 9:00 a.m. on the South Trailhead of Mount Elbert. When he failed to return by the evening, the person he was staying with contacted Lake County Search and Rescue at about 8:00 p.m. A search effort was launched shortly afterward.
A Long Night on Mount Elbert
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Once the hiker was reported overdue, rescue officials tried the fastest option first: calling his cellphone. Multiple phone calls, text messages, and voicemails were sent throughout the evening and overnight. His phone was powered on and receiving service, but none of the attempts were answered.
Since the calls came from an unfamiliar number, the hiker assumed they were spam. At the same time, search teams were already mobilizing on the mountain, operating under the assumption that he might be injured, disoriented, or unable to move.
Search and rescue teams were deployed around 10:00 p.m. to check areas where hikers commonly lose the trail. The terrain around Mount Elbert is known for confusing junctions, especially after dark, and conditions can change quickly once night falls. Crews searched through the early morning hours and returned around 3:00 a.m. without locating him.
A second team was sent out again at 7:00 a.m., focusing on trail sections where hikers frequently stray. Before they could make contact, the hiker walked back to his lodging around 9:30 a.m., more than 24 hours after he had started the hike.
What the Hiker Experienced
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After returning safely, the man explained that he lost the trail around nightfall and spent hours moving between different paths trying to find the correct route back to his car. Snow at higher elevations, fading visibility, and unfamiliar surroundings made it difficult to retrace his steps. He eventually reached the trailhead the next morning after navigating several incorrect routes.
He told authorities that he had no idea anyone was looking for him. The unanswered calls never raised concern because they looked like routine, unknown numbers, something many people are conditioned to ignore.
A Lesson Shaped by Modern Habits
Lake County Search and Rescue later shared the incident publicly to highlight a growing issue they see in the field. Emergency calls do not always come from labeled or recognizable numbers. Many rescuers use personal phones, satellite connections, or rotating lines that do not clearly identify the caller as emergency services.
The agency stressed that if someone is overdue, lost, or off schedule outdoors, repeated calls from an unknown number should be answered. A brief phone conversation can stop a search, prevent unnecessary risk to rescuers, and help guide someone back to safety much faster.