Man Stranded on Mountain by Colleagues During Failed Work Retreat

A Colorado worker was rescued last week after a work retreat took a dangerous turn on a mountain. The incident occurred when the man, whose name remains undisclosed, was left alone to summit Mount Shavano, a peak standing at 14,230 feet, while approximately 14 of his colleagues returned down the mountain.

The Chaffee County Search and Rescue’s southern division shared the unfolding situation on their social media, highlighting the unusual scenario. “One member of their party was left to complete his final summit push alone,” they remarked. This situation can often lead to complications, especially in high-altitude environments where hikers differ in pace.

According to rescue officials, the man successfully reached the summit by 11:30 AM but quickly became disoriented while descending. His colleagues had removed trail markers previously placed along the route, which only added to his confusion.

When he sent a pin to his coworkers for assistance, they advised him that he had strayed off course and urged him to backtrack to find the correct trail. Later, around 3:30 PM, he reached a ridge but soon faced severe weather. A strong storm descended upon the mountain, bringing freezing rain and fierce winds that disoriented him further, ultimately resulting in a loss of cellular service.

By 9 PM, the Chaffee County Search and Rescue was notified of his situation. They quickly dispatched two teams that included both drone operators and a helicopter to search for the lost individual.

The weather complexities posed significant challenges for the rescuers, and despite multiple search patterns conducted by the helicopter, no artificial lights or signs of the stranded worker could be detected on the mountain.

As dawn broke the following day, search teams had yet to locate him. This led to a statewide call for assistance, engaging nine additional search and rescue groups to aid in the effort.

Fortunately, just as other teams were mobilizing, the missing man managed to regain cell service and placed a 911 call. He described a dire situation, stating he had fallen over 20 times and ended up trapped in a gully, unable to rise. His timely call enabled the search teams to pinpoint his location and orchestrate a complicated rescue operation.

Rescue officials remarked on the man’s fortunate timing in regaining cell service, expressing that his awareness to call for help significantly contributed to his survival.

This incident has reignited discussions surrounding corporate retreats and the risks they can involve. Over recent years, such retreats have faced criticism for pushing boundaries with excessive team-building exercises that at times overshadow their intended purpose. Past instances of injuries and questionable activities during these retreats have drawn attention, reminiscent of previous reports where employees participated in extreme challenges like walking on hot coals.

Experts in the field suggest that companies should strive for a balanced approach to retreat planning, incorporating group-oriented activities alongside adequate downtime and work-focused discussions to ensure safety and a meaningful experience for participants.

The importance of proper planning and awareness in outdoor adventures is paramount, especially in challenging environments like Colorado’s mountain ranges, to prevent emergencies like this from occurring in the future.

Source: Business Insider