Hiker recovered after 11-hour rescue on Organ Mountain

Search and Rescue crews escort an injured hiker off an Organ Mountain trail on March 26, 2023.
Search and Rescue crews escort an injured hiker off an Organ Mountain trail on March 26, 2023.

LAS CRUCES – A hiker who was injured while on a trail on Organ Mountain was rescued over the weekend.

Vic Villalobos, a Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue member, said crews responded around 6:30 p.m. on March 25 after receiving a call about an injured hiker near the Grey Eminence peak. Villalobos said crews discovered a man in his early 20s with an injured ankle when they arrived.

The man was not alone. Villalobos said the man’s two hiking companions stayed with him until crews arrived.

As the sun set, the companions were escorted down the mountain because they did not have lights. Villalobos said the rescue effort was also complicated by the injured man’s underlying medical conditions and that he and his companions went off trail before becoming injured.

The following morning, crews brought the injured man down from the mountain using a type of stretcher called a Stokes Basket. Ultimately, Villalobos said the man's injury proved minor. He was able to return home after the ordeal.

Villalobos said the rescue lasted from about 6:30 p.m. on March 25 into about 5 a.m. the following day.

Four rescue teams responded, including Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, Organ Mountain Technical Rescue, Doña Ana County Search and Rescue, and Las Cruces Fire Department Technical Rescue.

Villalobos also wanted to remind the public that night temperatures can still drop to cold despite warmer spring days. He added that flashlights and extra supplies are a must, especially when hiking in the evening.

Rescuers examined a hiker on March 26, 2023, after the hiker became stranded on Organ Mountian the evening before.
Rescuers examined a hiker on March 26, 2023, after the hiker became stranded on Organ Mountian the evening before.

Hiking safety advice

LCFD suggests following these and other safety tips:

  • Know your capabilities and the terrain for which you will be hiking.

  • Plan your trek carefully and consider weather reports, the expected duration of your hike, and other conditions which might arise during your adventure.

  • Always hike or backpack with others.

  • Keep groups together unless it’s necessary to separate.

  • Follow all signage and refrain from straying from established trails.

  • Carry a fully charged cellular or satellite phone in case of an emergency. Avoid depleting a cell phone’s battery by overusing the camera function.

  • Carry a flashlight and extra batteries.

  • Tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you expect to return. If you have yet to return by the designated time, they should know to contact authorities.

  • Take plenty of water and food to sustain you during the trek.

  • Remember, warm daytime temperatures and relatively high elevations expend energy quickly.

  • Wear proper attire for the trek. It’s best to dress in layers that can be easily removed – or added – depending on conditions.

  • Wear a hat or proper head covering.

  • Wear boots or hiking shoes that are comfortable and suitable for the terrain to be covered.

  • Be aware of changing weather conditions and the potential for flash floods from rain upstream from your location.

  • Beware of more active snakes during warmer weather and as daytime temperatures rise. Snakebite victims should seek help immediately.

  • Beware of wild animals known to frequent the Organ Mountains and other nearby areas: bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, deer and African oryx. Never approach or attempt to handle a wild animal.

  • If hiking with a dog, consider its needs and safety requirements for the trek. Dispose of waste properly, and use the “Pack it In, Pack it Out” motto to help keep wild areas pristine.

Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.

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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Hiker recovered after 11-hour rescue on Organ Mountain