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Search and Rescue helps man with frostbite at remote cabin north of Hayden

Matt Stensland/Steamboat Today

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County Search and Rescue volunteers were called early Monday morning to rescue a man who possibly had frostbite.

Search and Rescue member Kristia Check-Hill said they were paged at 4:50 a.m. to help the 36-year-old man north of Hayden. She did not know where the man lives.

Check-Hill said they were told the man parked at the intersection of Routt County Roads 76 and 80 and planned on snowshoeing about 16 miles to a friend’s cabin near Quaker Mountain.

The man had also brought a snowboard to get to the cabin, which is remote and inaccessible by car during the winter.

At some point, Check-Hill said the man caught a ride to the cabin with someone on a snowmobile.

During the night, it became apparent to the man that he was not going to be able to hike out because his feet were swollen with possible frostbite.

“When his feet got cold and wet, we’re not quite sure,” Check-Hill said.

The man called for help. Two firefighters from West Routt Fire Protection District responded in addition to four Search and Rescue members.

The Search and Rescue team rode snowmobiles to rescue the man at the cabin. He was then brought out and taken by ambulance to Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Search and Rescue members finished the mission at 11 a.m.

It was the second time in a week Search and Rescue members were called to help someone in trouble.

On Thursday, they were called to help a 50-year-old man who broke his leg while skiing outside Steamboat Ski Area near Fish Creek Canyon.

Ski patrollers brought the man to the bottom of the canyon, and Search and Rescue members transported the man to emergency responders ready to provide medical care.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland.


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