Hiker Stranded Overnight After Falling From Appalachian Trail Overlook

A 29-year-old hiker fell from an overlook along the AT in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania on Saturday and was unable to reach his phone to call for help until the following morning, when he was eventually rescued.

The hiker, who has not been identified, reportedly fell from the ridge near the popular Bear Rocks overlook on Saturday night and was forced to shelter in place overnight. Only the following morning was he able to crawl back to his phone and call 911 around 10:30 a.m.

Multiple emergency crews responded and were able to successfully rescue the hiker in an operation that took more than two hours.

The trail near Bear Rocks (northbound mile 1250.4) is rocky and uneven (like much of the Pennsylvania AT), and features some exposure. Navigation in this area is challenging in the daylight; in low light, it becomes easy to lose the trail or slip while navigating.

Pictured: Part of the Blue Mountain ridge in Pennsylvania. Much of the Pennsylvania section of the Appalachian Trail is known for tricky and rocky trail conditions. Photo via Katie Jackson

Despite the emergency occurring near Route 309, the challenging terrain meant rescuers had to use utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to access the hiker’s location. The Germansville Fire Department’s Deputy Chief, Randy Metzger, told local news outlet WFMZ that the vehicles were “essential for getting in and out of this trail; it’s too tight for us to get fire trucks in there.”

Crews worked for two hours to extract the hiker and stabilize him before bringing him back to the trailhead. Following the successful mission, the hiker was transferred to a hospital for evaluation and injury treatment.

What You Can Do: Be Easy to Rescue

Search and rescue incidents along trails are incredibly common. You can take steps before leaving the house to make yourself easier to find and rescue, should a situation arise. Wear bright colors, carry a smartphone and satellite messenger, and communicate your plans to another person.

Additionally, carrying a headlamp and the bare necessities for spending a night in the backcountry (extra layers, a shelter, etc.) can give you some buffer time to wait while rescue teams mobilize.

Featured image: Part of the Blue Mountain ridge in Pennsylvania. Photo via Katie Jackson