Colleagues Abandon Man on Mountain During Failed Work Retreat

A Colorado man was successfully rescued after being stranded overnight on a mountain during a work retreat. This incident took place on a 14,230-foot peak known as Mount Shavano, illustrating the risks associated with outdoor team-building activities.

According to local authorities, the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was left to summit the mountain alone after approximately 14 colleagues returned down the trail without him. The Chaffee County Search and Rescue organization reported this situation on their Facebook page, hinting at potential awkwardness in the office due to the scenario.

“In what might cause some awkward encounters at the office in the coming days and weeks, one member of their party was left to complete his final summit push alone,” the rescue team shared online.

Each year, numerous adventurers tackle Colorado’s fourteeners—mountains that exceed 14,000 feet in elevation. These elevations often present significant challenges due to thin air and difficult terrain, which can lead to disorientation, especially for those hiking in groups with varying paces.

Post-rescue, it was reported that the man reached the summit around 11:30 a.m. However, during his descent, he became disoriented and lost his way. The situation worsened when his colleagues, who had earlier left trail markers, had taken those items with them on their descent.

According to the rescue group’s social media update, the man attempted to communicate his position by sending a pin to his team, who indicated he was heading in the wrong direction and needed to reverse his steps to find the correct trail.

By about 3:30 p.m., he had repositioned himself to the correct ridge. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, a severe storm swept through, bringing freezing rain and high winds that disoriented him once again, resulting in the loss of cell service.

By 9 p.m., Chaffee County Search and Rescue South was alerted about the situation and immediately mobilized two rescue teams, including a drone pilot and a helicopter. However, challenging weather conditions hampered their efforts. Despite thorough search patterns, the helicopter was unable to identify any signs of human presence on the mountain, aside from those of the search teams themselves.

As the night stretched on with no results by 9 a.m. the following day, rescue teams called upon nine additional search and rescue groups from across the state for help.

Just as these teams were deploying, the stranded man miraculously regained cell service and was able to make a 911 call. During this call, he informed rescuers that he had fallen more than 20 times and was now trapped in a gully, unable to rise to his feet. This critical communication enabled the rescue teams to reach him and execute a complex rescue operation.

The rescue group remarked on the man’s incredible fortune, stating, “This hiker was phenomenally lucky to have regained cell service when he did, and to still have enough consciousness and wherewithal to call 911.”

In the wake of such incidents, corporate retreats have faced increased scrutiny for their often risky team-building exercises. Various companies have drawn attention for their overly ambitious and sometimes hazardous activities, which can lead to injuries, as seen in cases where employees have been harmed during unconventional challenges.

This incident serves as a stark reminder for companies to consider the safety of their employees during retreats. Experts suggest blending enjoyable group activities with periods for relaxation and work-related discussions to strike a balance that prioritizes the well-being of all involved.

Source: Business Insider