Just after 2000 on Sunday, December 25, 2022, Custer County SAR was called out to assist a subject descending Humbolt Peak’s east ridge. The subject reported seeing a mountain lion and felt unsafe continuing down into the tree line on his descent. It was also reported that his headlamp was weak further complicating navigation. After determining the subject’s location through an SMS locator on CalTopo, two teams were deployed to the subject’s location. One team of four began hiking toward the subject from the Rainbow Trail/S. Colony Road intersection. The other team of two staged with the Command Trailer and 2 tracked ATVs at the 2WD lot in case conditions changed and more assistance was needed. The team of four made contact with the subject at tree line and began working their way back down. The subject returned to his vehicle and all teams were out of the field by 0800 12/26/22.
This subject carried appropriate gear to stay overnight if needed, coordinated well with Incident Command, preserved his phone battery by using airplane mode, and stayed at his location until Search teams arrived.
The Sangre de Cristo mountains are wild and remote. Even busier areas like South Colony are frequented by an abundance of wildlife. There are many layers to a successful adventure in the backcountry and understanding what to do with a wildlife encounter is one of them. Be sure to take the time and research wildlife in the area you plan to visit!
