HVNP: Hikers cited after being rescued from Mauna Loa
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK — Two hikers were rescued and airlifted off Mauna Loa on Monday morning after running out of food and water and getting lost during severe winter weather that closed the mountain above 10,000 feet.
The hikers, a male and female, were not injured, according to a press release from HVNP. They first called 911 Sunday morning to report that they were out of food and water in the windy, freezing weather and that their phones were running out of power.
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A search-and-rescue ranger from HVNP and a helicopter pilot deployed and quickly located the uninjured couple around 11,000 feet on the remote slopes of Mauna Loa.
The pilot landed and the ranger checked on the hikers. He gave them food, water and a satellite communication device, along with instructions to return to the nearest shelter and continue to hike out on their own. The elevation and dangerous gusting winds made it too risky to transport the pair by air, according to HVNP.
Shortly after sunset Sunday, the hikers texted the park ranger that they had lost the trail near 10,300 feet in the foul weather. The pilot, unable to operate safely in darkness and hazardous conditions, flew the ranger up again Monday morning.
The hikers were safely extracted one at a time.
“The search-and-rescue mission could have been prevented if the hikers had followed explicit directions to check in and pick up their permit from the park’s backcountry office,” HVNP Chief Ranger Jack Corrao said in a statement. “The park closed the summit of Mauna Loa and canceled all high-elevation backcountry permits on January 9 due to severe winter weather, and we immediately posted a closure alert on our website and social media outlets.
“Their actions put themselves, the pilot and our ranger at great and unnecessary risk.”
The couple was with two other hikers from Oahu, but the pairs separated on the hike to the closed summit area. The other couple hiked out on their own without incident.
All four hikers were cited for engaging in activities without a permit. The HVNP press release did not disclose the names of the hikers.
All areas on Mauna Loa remain closed above Red Hill Cabin.
