(Photo courtesy of Chaffee County Search and Rescue – North)
CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLORADO — A missing hiker on La Plata Peak was found Friday evening after rescuers homed in on whistle blasts echoing from a drainage east of the standard route, according to a post from Chaffee County Search and Rescue – North. The volunteer team was paged at 4:30 p.m. on September 20 after the hiker split from a group to head back to the trailhead around noon. With storms in the forecast, ground teams deployed quickly; Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South assisted with drone operations, and REACH Air Medical Services initially accepted an overflight before standing down due to weather, CCSAR-N reported. All rescuers cleared the field by 1:00 a.m. without injuries.
The hiker was located roughly 30 minutes after a field team reported hearing repeated whistle blasts from a side drainage below the standard line of travel. That audible clue cut search time significantly as light faded and conditions worsened. “This incident serves as a reminder to carry various forms of attraction. The subject’s continuous whistle blowing helped bring a safe ending to a potentially serious situation,” CCSAR-N wrote.
La Plata Peak—Colorado’s fifth-highest summit in the Sawatch Range—draws thousands each season. Its standard Northwest Ridge route is a Class 2 hike of roughly 9.25 miles and 4,400 feet of gain, with ample terrain where a descending hiker can drift into adjacent drainages if they lose the line. That makes audible or visual signaling especially valuable when teams are zeroing in from below.
Mutual-aid partners played key roles. Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South provided drone support to scan complex terrain as daylight waned. REACH Air Medical Services, which operates a helicopter base in Salida, accepted an initial request but could not fly due to weather—an all-too-common constraint during fast-changing fall conditions in the high country.
CCSAR-N also thanked the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), which coordinates training and support for the state’s volunteer backcountry SAR teams. In Colorado, rescue subjects are never billed for SAR; however, operations rely on donations, grants, and state programs to cover costs for training and equipment.
Why this rescue matters: simple signals save lives
Friday’s outcome underscores a perennial lesson: small, lightweight signaling tools dramatically increase your odds of being found quickly. The U.S. Forest Service has long recommended carrying both a whistle and a pocket mirror; three of anything—three whistle blasts or three flashes—is an internationally recognized distress signal. These tools carry farther than a voice and conserve energy when you need it most.
Lessons Learned & Safety Tips
- Carry a whistle on your shoulder strap and use the Rule of Threes. Three sharp blasts, pause to listen, then repeat at intervals. It’s loud, distinctive, and costs almost no weight.
- Pack a small signal mirror (or any reflective surface). Three flashes can be seen from long distances by ground teams and aircraft when weather allows.
- Wear or stash high-visibility colors. A bright hat, buff, or rain shell stands out against tundra and talus, especially in dim light or drizzle. (USFS includes visibility tools among recommended 10-essentials-style items.)
- Stay near the established route when separated. On La Plata’s ridges, it’s easy to drop into the wrong drainage—retrace to known terrain if uncertain.
- Build a conservative turnaround plan. Afternoon storms are common; aim to be below treeline by midday in shoulder seasons.
Support Colorado’s SAR Volunteers
Colorado’s backcountry SAR is powered by volunteers. Help keep them ready:
Buy a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card — $5 for one year or $20 for five. Your contribution reimburses mission costs and funds training/equipment. Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Stay opted-in for the $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass when you register your vehicle; proceeds support state parks, wildlife, avalanche safety, and SAR volunteers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife
If you’d like to support the responders who led this mission, donate directly to Chaffee County Search and Rescue – North. And whenever you head for Colorado’s high peaks, make room for a whistle and mirror—you may never need them, but if you do, they can make all the difference.
