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Salt Lake County Search and Rescue helps two stranded skiers

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake County Search and Rescue team was called out late Sunday evening to help a pair of stranded skiers on the West Slabs of Mount Olympus.

Emergency personnel received the call about 7:45 p.m. The skiers were in good condition when the search and rescue team arrived, according to a press release. However, the skiers had some technical issues with their gear. As a result, they had stopped moving in a downward movement since the couloir they were in had frozen over due to lack of sunlight and dropping temperatures. 

Three search and rescue teams were deployed. The first responders were carrying food, warmth, rope gear, and technical snow equipment for themselves and the stranded skiers. 

Once on the mountain, the first responders created a series of lowering systems to safely get the skiers off the steep couloir.

All individuals involved in Sunday’s rescue were off the mountain by Monday morning at 1 a.m.

After Sunday’s incident, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue would like to remind all citizens of the following:

• Trail conditions change dramatically between day and night during the winter months. Areas that may seem passible during daylight hours can become dangerous once the sun goes down and the temperature drops
• When in question, call for help. Remember, the direct line is 911. Asking for assistance is always the correct answer

Read more:

• Salt Lake County Search and Rescue assists male hiker off of Stairs Gulch
• Salt Lake County Search and Rescue safely rescues stranded hiker

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