Overview
- The pair began their ascent in the afternoon and lost the trail as darkness fell on steep, rugged slopes.
- They called authorities by cellphone, which triggered an immediate search-and-rescue operation.
- Teams used megaphones for acoustic signals and high-intensity lights to scan the hillsides.
- Rescuers found the hikers on a slope, escorted them out of the danger zone, and reported them in apparent good health.
- Officials underscored safety protocols for mountain outings, including real-time location sharing, conserving phone battery, and extra caution near dusk.