Hiker in Critical Condition after Rescue from Mountain

CREATED May. 23, 2012

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  • The 59 year old hiker from Canada is in the hospital after being rescued from the North Lykken Trail on Wednesday afternoon. Video by kmir6.com

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A hiker is in critical condition after search and rescue airlifted him off a Palm Springs mountainside.
The 59 year old hiker from Canada is in the hospital after being rescued from the North Lykken Trail on Wednesday afternoon.
This year, two people have died while hiking or biking in our local mountains.

A helicopter lifted off to rescue the exhausted hiker on the mountain.
"Really really steep, and its pretty treacherous to try to carry someone down, so we knew we were going to need to air vac him out," said Sgt. Marc Melanson with the Palm Springs Police Department.
The hiker is now in critical condition in the hospital.
"Most years we have at least one fatal death, from the mountain, and we've already had two," said Sgt. Melanson.
Police say you need to prepare before you hike.
"I would completely stay away from the afternoon hours of hiking."
Remember that temperatures are already hitting 107 that time of day.
You also travel in pairs, carry a cell phone, and water, water, water.
"They should hydrate themselves long before they take the hike, and then carry at least a gallon or more of water on their hike," said Sgt. Melanson.
Hearing about the rescue made some hikers nervous.
"This is actually my first time on the trail so I don't want that to happen to me," said Cathedral City resident, Kathleen Carino.
"Kinda scary, I mean if you're not ready to go up, don't go up at all," said Palm Desert resident, Leslie Gaytan.
Leslie has a list of preparations before she hikes.
"First we stretch, after we always keep our water with us and we carry our cell phones in case of anything," said Gaytan.
And Kathleen brought some water.
"You know stay hydrated, and I think its best if you go with a couple people," said Carino.
The hiker who was rescued did hike with a friend, but they ran out of water.
Once again, police say every hiker should be prepared with lots of water, dress appropriately, carry a cell phone, and hike in pairs or tell someone where you are going.