Overview
- A group of nine college students from the Chicago area and northwest Indiana became disoriented after dark while ascending the Indian Staircase at Red River Gorge and called for help.
- Volunteers from Wolfe County Search and Rescue used coordinates the students sent to locate them and then guided the group down the route with extra safety measures on the descent.
- The hikers stayed in one place after calling for help, which officials and rescuers said made the response safer and easier to coordinate.
- AllTrails and rescuers describe the Indian Staircase route as challenging and unmaintained, with steep, rocky scrambles that make navigation and night descents hazardous.
- Wolfe County Search and Rescue praised the students for calling early and urged hikers to carry lights, share location data, bring water, and seek help before conditions worsen.