Montrose Search and Rescue – What’s It Like To Get Lost and Rescued?

In a sharp contrast from our last traumatic and tragic story, here’s a story of a much less dramatic rescue that took place in the summer of 1990. Dan and Jane Rollins relayed the tale of Dan’s rescue by the MSAR after a “hike gone wrong.” These kinds of lost hiker rescues make up the majority of the MSAR’s activities. I asked Dan what it’s like to be rescued. He replied, “It’s embarrassing – and exciting”.

On July 21, 1990, the Rollins organized a big family picnic in the Switzer picnic area, with the highlight being an adventurous backcountry hike for all the little nieces and nephews. They would hike down the Arroyo to JPL. On the hike would be Dan and son, 5, Dan’s sister and her two kids, 7 and 8, and a nephew, 6. Not going with them on the hike would be a map, accidentally left in the car. But Dan had done the hike before and felt confident. Typical of organizing kids, they got a late start, about 4:30 p.m.

They hiked easily downhill, but slower than Dan had anticipated. Reaching Switzer Falls, they indulged the sweating kids in a swim in the pool below the falls, further delaying their hike. Afterward, Dan took a wrong fork, a common error on this trail. The sun was getting low as they hiked about an hour in the wrong direction, up Bear Canyon, which has no outlet. The trail began to peter out, and Dan had the sinking feeling he was lost. It was darkening quickly as they hit the end of the box canyon, so Dan figured they had better give up and stop for the night.

Dan and his sister were careful not to transmit their anxiety to the kids. Actually, they were well set up. Dan and his sister were experienced campers, it was a warm night, and they had water, granola bars and a lighter. Dan lit a campfire, and they settled in for the evening, singing campfire songs, eating granola bars, and generally trying to assure the kids this was all part of the adventure. Actually the kids were having a blast.

Meanwhile, back in the parking lot at JPL, Dan’s wife Jane was beginning to panic as darkness fell. At 8 p.m. she contacted the ranger, who called out the MSAR. They searched the trail through the night, not realizing the group had gone up Bear Canyon. A fearful Jane and her young daughter slept in the car all night, keeping vigil on the trail.

In the morning, Dan and the kids, after a sleepless night, hiked back down Bear Canyon, and rejoined the trail back up to Switzer. A small helicopter swept low over the bleary group, and called out, “Are you the lost hikers? Stay there! We’ll get the rescue chopper.” An hour later, the gigantic rescue helicopter settled into a hover just above the group, turning the trail into a hurricane of blowing dirt and leaves. A man was lowered down and, one at a time, the kids, Dan and sister were cabled up to the noisy chopper. A short ride to the JPL parking lot and, as the chopper spun around for a landing, it’s open door revealed a sea of news vans waiting for the group. Unfortunately for Dan, it had been a slow news day, and Dan and the kids now faced a gauntlet of microphones and cameras. While Dan sheepishly tried to explain his error, the kids joyfully mugged for the cameras and delighted interviewers with kid’s-eye-views of their adventure.

The family recorded the multiple broadcasts from the news channels, and created a wonderful homemade documentary, which is watched at every family gathering since. As well, the Rollins have donated generously to the MSAR since then.

One last thing: After the rescue, Dan retrieved his map from the car, and had the rescuers sign it. Having searched for Dan and family all night, one of them wrote, “In the future, please get lost between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. We need our sleep!”

  mike lawler