A 64-year-old hiker was rescued at the 13,000-foot elevation mark on Maunakea on Tuesday.
The University of Hawaiʻi Maunakea Rangers and fire and rescue personnel from the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Center rescued the lost hiker amid falling snow and freezing temperatures.
Before hiking, the man went through the mandatory check-in, briefing and evaluation at the Visitor Information Center around 10:30 a.m. Maunakea Rangers called him several times after sunset, but they did not reach him.
The hiker had filled out the wrong contact number at the visitor center. But the rangers were able to find him because he also called 911.
Rescue personnel set out to find the lost hiker around 7 p.m. They trekked about a mile through heavy snow and sleet and found him at approximately 8:45 p.m. He was found in a small cave between Waiau Lake and the access road.
He was able to walk out on his own but rescue workers transported him to a hospital.
Rangers want to remind visitors that dangerous wintry weather can occur with little warning at any time. The public is asked to remember that the summit of Maunakea can be one of the most dangerous places in Hawaiʻi because of the extreme altitude and weather conditions — and emergency services may be two hours away because of its remote location.
Cell phone coverage is unreliable, and there is only one public emergency phone on the summit.
