Around 4 p.m on June 2, Grand County Search and Rescue responded to a report of a lost hiker in the Vasquez Peak Wilderness. The 74-year-old man had lost the trail after attempting to avoid snowfields along his intended route, according to a June 4 Facebook post from the organization.

“Unable to relocate the trail, he climbed up to a taller peak where he was able to find a cellphone signal and call 911,” the post stated. “Initiating the 911 call allowed the Grand County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to obtain coordinates of his location, where he was instructed to stay put until search and rescue arrived.”

A team of six search and rescue members located the hiker at approximately 8 p.m. and guided him back to a trailhead, where additional members were standing by to assist. The hiker and all team members were out of the field by 10 p.m.

The hiker was later transported to his vehicle at the trailhead where he had intended to finish his hike, about 30 miles from where he was ultimately found.

Search and Rescue reminded backcountry users to carry the 10 essentials, including a map, extra clothing and an emergency shelter, noting that cellphone reception is extremely limited in much of Colorado’s backcountry.

Many newer cellphones allow users to text 911 via satellite even without cellphone reception, the post said.

“Have an emergency plan in place in case you find yourself lost without a cell signal,” Search and Rescue said. “Tell a friend where you plan on hiking and what time you intend to return.”