‘People have lost their minds’: Search and rescue operations surge in cold Utah weather

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has reported multiple search and rescue operations over the last week as temperatures continue to drop throughout the state.

“Ok, fellow outdoor lovers. It’s been a LONG month for the search and rescue team,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. “It seems like people have completely lost their minds and are trying to go out in the worst weather and find the worst spot to get stuck in.”

The search and rescue team reportedly had their second rescue on the South Ridge of Mount Superior in less than 48 hours on Thursday, the second of which involved a climber who was off-route in snow and ice.

On Tuesday night, the sheriff’s office reported that three climbers had started up the South Ridge at around 5:30 p.m. and got stuck at the crux in the dark.

“The temperature was in the teens at 10k feet that night,” the sheriff’s office stated.

Additionally, on Sunday night, a man reportedly went for a hike above the Grist Mill and got stuck in technical terrain, in the rain, after dark with “no easy way up or down,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Please, Please people help us get the word out: The sun sets earlier in the Fall and it gets cold when it gets dark. The high alpine has a layer of snow and ice on it now. If the weather is looking bad pick an easy trail and go someplace you have been before. Carry extra warm clothes and lights. What could be a minor inconvenience in the summer can be deadly in the cold,” the sheriff’s office said.

For more information on how to stay safe while venturing outdoors in winter weather, visit the Utah State Parks website here.