Rescue at Piestewa Peak
At approximately 8:00 pm tonight, Phoenix Fire and Rescue crews made their way up the trail on Piestewa Peak to locate and rescue an adult hiker who fell and injured their ankle.
Firefighters came in contact with the injured hiker approximately 3/4 the way up the trail.
The Technical Rescue Team airlifted the hiker off the mountain utilizing Firebird 9.
Once at the bottom of the mountain the injured hiker was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
All crews are safely off the mountain.
Take a Hike. Do it Right.
Piestewa Peak climbs to 2,608-foot at its summit. More than 200 hikers annually are rescued from the City of Phoenix desert and mountain parks and preserves. This simple checklist can help keep you from becoming a statistic.
- Watch the Weather: Yes, “it’s a dry heat” – but Arizona’s temperature can be deceiving and deadly. Hike when it’s cool outside, try early mornings and evenings when there’s more shade.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear proper shoes, clothing, hat and sunscreen.
- Bring Water: Hydrate before you go. Have plenty of water, more than you think you need. Turn around and head back to the trailhead before you drink half of your water.
- Keep in Contact: Carry a mobile phone.
- Team Up: Hike with others. If hiking solo, tell someone your start and end times, and location.
- Be Honest: Do you have a medical condition? Asthma, heart problems, diabetes, knee or back problems? Don’t push yourself! (Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails.)
- Don’t Trailblaze: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert’s beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails.
- Take Responsibility: Don’t be “that person” – the one who wasn’t prepared, shouldn’t have been there for health reasons or ignored safety guidelines. Be the responsible hiker, who takes a hike and does it right!
