On July 10, just before 2 p.m., a 50-year-old woman from California called the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and stated she had hiked off trail with her dog to a high mountain top in Boyton Canyon in Sedona.

She reported not being able to find her way back. As a result, a YCSO Forest Patrol deputy coordinated a rescue with eight volunteers from the Verde Search and Rescue Team. 
Using cell phone coordinates provided during the call, the search team began its hike to the woman’s location. 

The Forest Patrol deputy noted the hike was strenuous with several very steep angled climbs up the face of the mountain. The temperature was over 100 degrees so team members were required to stop occasionally to rest and re-hydrate.  Verde Search and Rescue members reached the woman and her dog just after 5 p.m., finding both in good condition but out of water. Water was provided to woman and her dog while VSAR members rested after the climb.

Due to the rugged terrain, high temperatures and pending loss of light, rescuers decided to airlift the hiker and search team from the moun­tain top. 
An Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter arrived and was able to land based on directions from the search team.

The woman and volunteers were flown off the mountain to a landing zone at the Enchantment Resort. YCSO reminds everyone that there are lessons to be learned from this situation.
Hiking alone is risky, especially if traversing topography beyond a person’s capabilities. Should an injury occur while there is an inability to communicate, any rescue would be delayed and rely on the chance others may see the individual. 

Fortunately, the hikers cell phone was able to call out for help and she wisely remained stationary until rescue teams arrived. Hiking with a dog can also increase the risk of injury in such difficult terrain as the potential distraction can prevent total focus on surroundings. As noted many times in the past, the mountaintops in the Sedona area and the views provided are stunning. They attract hikers who may not understand the risk as they are generally much more difficult to descend than climb. 

Planning a hike and avoiding the hazards ahead of time can prevent such events like this from occurring. YCSO thanks the volunteers from the Verde Search and Rescue Team for their dedication to risking their own safety for complete strangers, and also thanks the DPS Ranger Crew who arrived in short order to safely remove the woman and rescue team.

The Forest Patrol also thanks security personnel from Enchantment Resort for their assistance.­