Last weekend, the Lake County Search and Rescue team opened a lemonade stand to educate Coloradans about summer recreation preparedness. To meet people who might need this information the most, they set up the stand in an unusual place: At 14,438 feet in elevation.
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The search and rescue personnel posted up near the top of Mount Elbert, the state’s highest peak, last Sunday and offered hikers free refreshments, as well as safety tips for enjoying Colorado’s mountain wilderness.
“All the hikers who met with our team members were really delighted to see them, and we handed out just the few pitchers of lemonade made with the water we brought up because all the supplies were carried in and out by the two members,” spokesperson Hannah Gallagher told The Denver Post by email.
Their choice of 14er was not random. In the last month and a half, Lake County Search and Rescue says it has made six missions to attend to hikers in need, and that calls for help from Mount Elbert come in frequently.
That’s all the more reason to educate visitors about what they consider the 10 essentials to carry when in the backcountry — including sufficient water, nutrient-rich snacks, layers and lighting — and other best practices. For example, make sure someone knows your recreation plans and when to call for help, and understand that conditions can change quickly at high elevations.
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The organization also advises laying out your route ahead of time and having the proper navigational tools, including those that work without cell phone reception.
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The Search and Rescue team relies on donations and does not charge people for its services, though helicopter companies will if someone needs to be evacuated to a hospital.
It’s worth noting that these tips apply beyond hikers. The number of drivers getting caught in unsavory circumstances in the backcountry has also increased in recent years, leading to more rescues.
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