Flagstaff, AZ- On Saturday June 27, 2009 personnel of the Coconino County Sheriff Office Search and Rescue Unit received the report of an adult male who was rappelling with a friend in an area known as Sun Dance in the general vicinity of Blue Ridge. One of the two men rappelled a distance of approximately 180′ and waited at the bottom as his friend attempted to travel the same distance. The second climber experienced difficulty as he was rappelling and was not able to reach the ground. As volunteers were deploying to the location the Sheriff’s Office received information that the climber who originally reached the ground was able to assist his friend in freeing himself and both of the men left the area.
On Sunday June 28, 2009 at about 2:00 a.m. the Highlands Fire department and the Sedona Fired Department responded to Harding Point in Oak Creek Canyon on the report of a hiker who had fallen into a cave and sustained possible head injuries. Upon their arrival medical personnel determined that the victim fell into a crevice. Rescuers from the two fire departments preformed a technical rescue and safely lifted the victim out of the crevice. An Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Crew transported the victim to the Flagstaff Medical Center. A Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Coordinator assisted with the operation.
On Monday June 29, 2009 at about 1:00 a.m. the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding an over-due party of eight individuals from the Phoenix area ranging in age from eleven to sixteen years. A Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit Coordinator learned the group began what they intended to be a one day hike off of Woody Mountain Road into West Fork which is a feeder canyon for Oak Creek. The group left at 6:00 a.m. and planned to return before sunset on Sunday Evening. The Arizona Department of Public Safety dispatched a helicopter from Phoenix. As the crew flew north to Flagstaff they spotted a camp fire in the general area where the missing hikers were believed to be. The crew continued to Puliam Airport where they picked up the search and rescue coordinator. They flew back to the area where the campfire was spotted and identified it as the area where the missing hikers were believed to be. Three search and rescue volunteers hiked to the camp site and escorted the individuals to safety. None of the hikers required medical attention.
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