Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Drone Leads Rescuers to Overdue Backpackers in Aspen

The Aspen June 5, 2020
Two overdue backpackers were located Wednesday with the help of a search and rescue drone after deep snow unexpectedly delayed the pair’s 27-mile long journey through the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area.


According to Mountain Rescue Aspen, the two males in their 20s set out for a three-backpacking trip on Sunday. The backpackers intended to hike the Fravert Basin, also known as the Four Pass Loop. When the pair did not return on Tuesday as expected one of their family members reported them overdue. 

A massive search was launched for the overdue backpackers, including the use of a drone, helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, and  10 search and rescue personnel.

A drone flying at about 500 feet in altitude spotted the overdue backpackers at about 5:20 p.m. near Crater Lake. They were found tired, but uninjured.  Despite the snowy conditions slowing down their progress, rescuers say both backpackers were “well equipped” to spend an extra night in the wilderness.

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