A hiker was found early Tuesday morning after he lost his bearings while hiking Mt. Spokane, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Officer reported Tuesday.
The man lost his way on the mountain Monday night when it became too dark to navigate the trails. Police said he called 911 several times, but the spotty cell service and his cell phone’s low battery continuously dropped the calls. Officers were also struggling to pinpoint his location from his phone calls.
Police said the search was much more difficult because of the tree cover and the rugged terrain. Police requested help from the Air Support Unit and the unit’s Air 1 helicopter responded to the area.
Air 1 finally located the man early Tuesday morning and guided a Search and Rescue deputy to his location where he was given food and water. The man was transported from the mountain and was later medically cleared after what turned out to be an all-night 18-mile hike.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office officials told hikers to always prepare for the possibility of getting lost by bringing extra food, water and clothing and to put your cell phone into “airplane” mode to conserve your battery when you don’t need it to make phone calls.
Police are also advising hikers to always bring a map and if you do get lost, call for help as soon as you know you’re lost before it gets dark.
