A hiker who went missing on Halloween night was safely located after losing his way on a 2,500-foot-high mountain in California.
Late on Friday, Oct. 31, at around 11:20 p.m. local time, search and rescue crews were called to continue looking for a man who had gone missing while hiking on the north side of Mount Tamalpais, according to a statement from the Marin County Search and Rescue team.
The man, whose name has not been released, had started his hike at 2:30 p.m. and last communicated with his wife at 5:30 p.m. via text message. He told her he had taken a wrong turn but believed he knew where he was, estimating that he would return to his car at the Rock Springs trailhead within 90 minutes. He also mentioned that his phone battery was nearly dead.
After that message, his wife reported him missing. She informed authorities that his last known phone location was near Bon Tempe Dam.
Deputies and park rangers were first to respond to Mount Tamalpais — a 6,300-acre area in Marin County known for its redwood groves and oak woodlands, according to California State Parks. When an initial search of the fire roads did not locate the hiker, the county’s search and rescue team took over.
About 35 people joined the overnight search effort, using e-bikes, UTVs, and a drone to cover the extensive trail network. Multiple agencies worked together, coordinating searches both on the ground and from the air.
Just after 2 a.m., first responders on the ground located the missing hiker in good condition above Kent Trail near Van Wick Creek.
“He was able to walk back to the trailhead with assistance from the search team,” the agency said. “He was then transported by a deputy back to his vehicle.”
Following his rescue, the hiker explained that his phone had died shortly before nightfall. With no light to guide him, he accidentally strayed off the trail and fell several times, though he was not injured. He eventually decided to stay put until help arrived.
Officials added that the man was dehydrated but thankful to be found and safely escorted out of the area.
