Drone finds missing 76-year-old hiker curled beneath tree in Nevada County
A search team using a drone with thermal imaging found a missing 76-year-old hiker at night, Nevada County sheriff’s officials reported.
The hiker, who was reported missing near the Powerhouse Road area northeast of Nevada City at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, was located just before midnight, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Facebook.
The hiker, who was in good health, was reunited with his family, deputies said.
The five-hour rescue involved ground teams, bicycles, UTVs, police dogs and a California Highway Patrol helicopter along with drone teams.
“You guys totally rock,” read one comment on the Facebook post.
Nevada City is about a 55 miles northeast of Sacramento.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
- Have more than enough food and water with you.
- Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
- Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
- Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
- Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
- Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
- Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”