Active search and rescue operation underway in Little Cottonwood Canyon

LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah (ABC4) — Salt Lake County Search and Rescue is actively responding to a call of an injured climber in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

According to Chris Bronson with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about an injured female climber who fell about 20 feet from the Contract Buttress in Little Cottonwood.

As of 3:30 p.m., this is still an active operation. Search and rescue were able to locate the woman, and they are assisting her off the trail. She sustained injuries from the fall, but her injuries are non-life-threatening.

This is the second search and rescue operation in the Cottonwood Canyons in as many days, after a man and his three children were rescued on Sunday after being stranded overnight in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Two of the children were in critical condition when they were rescued.

Outdoor Safety Tips

Salt Lake County Search and Rescue (SLCSAR) has safety tips available on its website for anyone going to recreate in the outdoors. First and foremost, they encourage everyone to be prepared.

Always leave a plan. Tell relatives or friends about your destination and when you expect to return. It’s also a good idea to put a note on your vehicle at the trailhead with this information as well.

According to SLCSAR, many of the people they rescue are people who went out for a day hike, so you should always have the 10 essential systems with you whenever you are in the wilderness.

• Hydration: Always bring a water bottle. If you’re out on a longer outing, bring purification tablets or a water filter.
• Navigation: Bring a map. It’s also a good idea to have a compass and a GPS system that is not just your phone.
• Insulation: Bring extra layers and rain protection.
• Illumination: Bring a dedicated flashlight like a headlamp. Do not rely on your phone.
• Combustion: Bring weatherproof matches or a lighter. Know how to build a fire.
• Communication: Bring a mirror and a whistle for short-range communication. Bring your cell phone or a satellite phone.
• Repair: Bring tools needed to repair gear or craft replacements in the field.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, chapstick, and sunglasses, even in the snow.
• Shelter: Bring a mylar blanket for short trips. For long trips, bring a tent or tarp.
• First aid: Always bring a first aid kit and carry any life-saving prescriptions.

Ask yourself the following common-sense questions before you leave:

• Do I have the right clothing and the proper equipment?
• Do I have appropriate skills and experience for the terrain?
• Am I taking enough food and water?
• Did I leave my plans with a relative or friend?