According to the Emery County Sheriff Office’s (ECSO) three sisters from northern Utah, all experienced in technical canyoneering, were located in good condition on Tuesday evening. The sisters set out Monday morning in the Hidden Splendor area of Emery County, maneuvering a slot canyon known as The Squeeze. They had told family members that they anticipated being back to their camp between 10 p.m. and midnight on Monday, and that they would call family on Tuesday morning when they reached an area with cell service.

At 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, a family member called ECSO Dispatch Center stating that the sisters were overdue. When the call came in, Sheriff Greg Funk, Captain Kyle Ekker and the State DPS helicopter crew were all in Layton at the Governor’s Public Safety Summit, where the DPS helicopter was demonstrating rescue capabilities.

The DPS helicopter launched from the parking lot at the Davis Convention Center with Captain Ekker onboard. The helicopter crew located the trio around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. They were walking along the Muddy River on their way back to camp at the trailhead. The helicopter transported the women the remaining distance to the trailhead where Emery County Search and Rescue Team members were staged in case a ground search or insertion for rescue was necessary.

This search was different from most. The women were experienced, had studied the area, and had proper equipment and emergency gear including food and a water filtration system. They also had means to stay warm through the night. They had told family members where they were going and when they expected to return. While maneuvering the canyon, conditions required more time than anticipated. The women remained calm and confident, and used canyoneering best practices to work through situations and to ensure safety. They spent the night on the trail and started out on Tuesday morning.

The women expressed their appreciation for the concern and professionalism of all involved, and ECSO expresses thanks to the State DPS helicopter and crew for their continued support in Emery County. Sheriff Funk expresses gratitude to Emery County Search and Rescue volunteers. They spend countless hours training and are always willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice to respond.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE