The number of Utah hikers who rely on search-and-rescue crews for help when they get lost, injured or stranded in the backcountry is almost always higher than the number of other outdoor adventurers -- and last year was no exception.
Search-and-rescue crews throughout Utah responded to 109 emergencies involving hikers last year, according to an annual Search and Rescue Advisory Board report. The good news: That number is lower than the six-year high reached in 2007, when 121 hikers needed help.
Board chairman Cache County Sheriff Lynn Nelson said the number of distress calls for hikers is higher because of the number of people who have access to Utah's expansive trail system.
Nelson said there is concern the board's program, which reimburses counties in part for searches, is funded mostly by fees collected from hunters, ATV riders and fishermen.
"It doesn't come from the people we rescue the most," Nelson said.
But no plans are in the works to charge hikers for being rescued and the program has so far had enough to pay for all searches, he said. The program provided nearly $300,000 in 2008 to county search-and-rescue crews.
"It [also] allows us to train more and get better equipment," he said of the reimbursements.
During the winter months, rescues involving snowmobilers surged from 39 in 2007 to 72 in 2008 -- partly due to a larger snowpack, Nelson said.
This summer could be busy as well, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Brent Atkinson, who oversees the county's search-and-rescue program.
Between January and May 22, 2008, his team members responded to six rescues. During the same period this year, they have already gone out on 17 rescues. He can't pinpoint a reason for the jump.
"It's kind of feast or famine," Atkinson said.
This weekend, Atkinson is hoping people enjoying the Memorial Day weekend outdoors will be safe around water. Warm temperatures are increasing snow melt in the mountains and adding water to the valley's already swollen streams and rivers.
"We're holding our breath and hope people will stay away from the streams," he said.
