17 hikers trapped in ‘treacherous’ slot canyons get rescued, Utah sheriff says
_fitted.png "A church youth group had to be rescued from Sandthrax Canyon in southern Utah on June 10, according to the Garfield County sheriff.")
Search and rescue crews pulled 17 hikers from a “treacherous” slot canyon, a Utah sheriff said.
Crews arrived at Sandthrax Canyon in the evening on Thursday, June 9, after receiving a call about a church youth group that had gotten stuck in the canyon, Garfield County Sheriff Danny Perkins told KSL TV.
The team was able to get food and water down to the hikers that night, according to the station, but rescue efforts extended into Friday morning.
“We are in the middle of rescuing 15 young man and two young men leaders in one of ours most treacherous slot canyons in Garfield County. The DPS helicopter is on scene along with deputies and rope rescue personnel,” Perkins tweeted.
Within the next couple hours, search and rescue crews were able to safely rescue the hikers, the sheriff tweeted.
“I can’t thank our DPS helicopter crew enough along with Wayne County deputies Garfield County Deputy‘s and Search And Rescue,” Perkins tweeted.
Perkins advised people be fully prepared if they plan on climbing Sandthrax Canyon, FOX 13 Utah reported. , as it requires “climbing competency,”
“Make sure you have the right equipment, not only to get you through what you’re doing, but the safety equipment, make sure people know where you are,” Perkins said.
Canyoneering USA called the canyon “infamous” or “The Canyon of Doom,” adding that it requires difficult upclimbing and moderate skill climbing sideways for the venture that can take between three to six hours.
Garfield County where the canyon is located is in southern Utah, about 260 miles south of Salt Lake City.
This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 7:39 PM with the headline "17 hikers trapped in ‘treacherous’ slot canyons get rescued, Utah sheriff says."
