Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media
achedden@currentargus.com

A missing hiker was rescued by helicopter Sunday at Guadalupe Mountains National Park after climbing to the Guadalupe Peak the day before, then leaving the trail and getting lost.

Park spokesperson Theresa Moore refused to disclose the hiker’s name, age or gender, saying the family asked that the individual not be identified.

Moore said the hiker was reported missing at about 5 p.m. Saturday, located by rescue workers on foot about 11 a.m. Sunday and airlifted off the mountain.

She said temperatures dropped as low as 20 degrees that night, with high winds and some snow visible on the trail. The hiker did not sustain any injuries in the incident, Moore said.

She said the hiker “cut switchbacks and got off the trail. That’s the safety message: stay on the trail.”

Moore said despite the cold weather, winter remains busy for hikers from all over the world traveling to Guadalupe Mountains to hike the peak. The peak is in far West Texas, in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

“It’s a bucket-list item,” she said. “Most visitors come to hike the peak, even in the extremes: winter and summer.”

She said it’s better to hike at the park in the fall, when temperatures are milder, and winds aren’t as harsh. Mid-to-late spring can also be a good time for similar reasons, Moore said.

“The lesson here is to be prepared. The weather can change in a second,” she said.