Phoenix firefighters used a helicopter and a big wheel rig to rescue a woman who sprained her ankle while hiking Piestewa Peak late Tuesday.
Firefighters say the 31 year old woman waited to call for help until after dark, making the rescue effort that much more difficult. Fire Captain Ardell Deliz said now that it’s getting dark earlier, hikers can find themselves unprepared for the conditions. “Most people are hiking with very light clothing. They’re still prepared to sweat, so now, if you’re stuck overnight, you could have some kind of cold emergency,” he explained.
If you go hiking late in the day, Deliz advises making sure you have a cellphone that’s charged, a travel bag with some food and a light jacket, and that you let people know where you’re going to be. She says hiking in the dark can be dangerous because of the rough terrain and mountain critters that come out after dark.