Rescuers rappelled to a 42-year-old Brighton man after he got stuck on a cliff about 28 miles southeast of Hanksville, Utah, authorities say.
Rob Lougee had gotten stuck when he rappelled down to narrow rock formations that he could not pass through on Sunday and did not have the equipment needed to climb back up, said Becki Bronson, spokeswoman for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Lougee, his wife and two other hikers from Salt Lake City had rappelled a half-mile down in the Three Forks Area to some narrow passages in rock. Where Lougee was rappelling, a hole in the rock was smaller than 16 inches wide, and he could not pass through, Bronson said. He found a small shelf about the size of a kitchen table and waited there for help overnight.
The others rappelled down and went for help. Garfield County Search and Rescue crews arrived by helicopter on Monday at 7:45 a.m. The crews used the helicopter as an anchor and rappelled down to Lougee’s position.
Lougee was unhurt and slightly dehydrated, Lougee said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
