When an experienced hiker’s knee is injured on Colorado’s busy Broken Hand Pass, his 13-hour rescue in the dark becomes proof of why preparation isn’t just for beginners.
The 13-hour rescue of the pedestrian required a helicopter and 24 responders from two volunteer teams. (Photo: CCSAR)
Published July 15, 2026 04:34 pm
On July 12, an experienced traveler found himself in a situation most people fear. After successfully climbing two peaks and completing a high-alpine trip in Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, she slipped on loose rock about 400 feet below the summit of 12,585-foot Broken Hand Pass.
The hiker, whose identity has not been released, endured a 13-hour rescue operation that required a helicopter and 24 responders from two volunteer teams. But rescue workers told Outside That the passenger had brought some luggage with him which probably saved his life.
“We never have control over what happens out there. Rocks can slip from under our feet. Unexpected things happen and we have no control over them.” melissa harth The responding agency, along with Custer County Search and Rescue (CCSAR), told Outside.
When accidents happen, a well-prepared daypack can make the difference in life-or-death scenarios.
Officials say the passenger was prepared enough to endure the long wait for rescue. Although she had only planned a one-day trip, she carried warm, brightly colored clothing, food, water, a phone, a battery bank, a headlamp, a helmet, an emergency bivy sack, and a Garmin InReach satellite communicator. Luck also played a role in her rescue – she suddenly happened to be in a location with cell service.
After injuring himself, he called CCSAR at 4:45 p.m. A Flight for Life Colorado helicopter flew four technical team members and 125 pounds of gear to the area in about five minutes. By road, the same journey from the team’s discovery base would take about two hours on four-wheel-drive tracks.
“The helicopters were a time-saver, and they also had the ability to carry our gear, making it easier for rescuers to get there faster if we weren’t carrying heavy items,” Hurth said.
In total, 19 members of Custer County and five members of CCSAR responded, with ground crews covering approximately two miles from the parking area to reach him.
“Moving a non-ambulatory patient through this area is challenging in the dark. It’s challenging in the light. It’s just challenging,” Hurth said. Rescuers installed a technical rope system to safely lower him into the litter, and almost the entire operation took place in darkness.
While rescue workers were working their way to reach him, the passenger continued to communicate with responders on his cell phone and his headlamp proved particularly valuable.
“She may start giving signs,” Harth said. “We could see where she was because her headlamps were on. She could see us because our headlamps were on.”
The night was clear and calm, wildfire smoke was drifting from the surrounding forests, and the temperature had dropped into the upper forty Fahrenheit despite it being the middle of July. The people at the scene were cold, and it serves as an important reminder that even in the summer heat, packing a few layers can go a long way.
“I had every layer and a beanie I had in my pack,” Laura MathewsonCCSAR respondent reported Outside. “It’s a combination of you’re sweating a little bit, and then you stop, and then it’s cold. And it wasn’t even windy, thank God.”
“Here we are in the middle of summer, and the cold is a factor,” Harth said. “It’s hard to explain how long it takes us to get to you and how cold you can get when you’re not walking. You can be two miles from the trail, but if you can’t walk, it’s still a big deal.”
The mission was completed at 6 am, more than 13 hours after the call was received.
For Harth, the mission underscores a core message from his team: Prep isn’t just for beginners.
The survival gear list that kept him safe
Cellphone: Service is not guaranteed, but communications may be faster if a connection is available.
A high-lumen headlamp: Officers were able to locate the pedestrian because he had his headlamp on.
Warm, brightly colored layers: Extra clothing helped keep the traveler warm and visible to air teams.
Emergency Bivy Sack: Provided a barrier against cold and wind.
Garmin InReach Satellite Communicator: Allowed him to send GPS coordinates and served as a backup for his cell phone.
External Battery Power Bank: Kept her phone charged, which was important since she unexpectedly had cellular service.
A climbing helmet: Protected his head from falling stones on the steep, rugged pass.
Extra food and water: Supported him during the 13-hour ordeal.
