Hiker in critical condition after severe heatstroke on Camelback Mountain, rescued by helicopter
Fire crews responded around 11 a.m. to the Echo Canyon Trailhead following reports of a hiker in distress.
Fire crews responded around 11 a.m. to the Echo Canyon Trailhead following reports of a hiker in distress. (Phoenix Fire Department)
(Phoenix Fire Department)
A hiker was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition late Sunday morning after suffering a severe heat-related medical emergency on Camelback Mountain, authorities said.
Fire crews responded around 11 a.m. to the Echo Canyon Trailhead following reports of a hiker in distress.
Upon arrival, rescue personnel hiked up the trail and made contact with an adult female roughly halfway up the mountain. The woman told firefighters she had become severely overheated and was physically unable to continue heading down the trail on her own.
Due to the location and the woman’s condition, commanders called in air support from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescue crews utilized MCSO’s “Fox 1” helicopter to conduct a hoist operation, flying the patient safely off the mountain and down to the base.
Once at the trailhead, emergency personnel performed cold water immersion therapy on the woman after measuring her core body temperature at more than 104 degrees.
The hiker has been safely flown off the mountain. Cold water immersion therapy was used on the patient due to the core temperature being above 104° and the hiker’s altered state. pic.twitter.com/BpXUs9Mki4
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) August 16, 2026
First responders noted she was in an altered mental state, a key indicator of severe heatstroke.
The hiker was immediately taken to an awaiting ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. No additional details regarding her identity or current status were immediately available.
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Comments
5 Comments
Seriously, how stupid are these people? Do they not check the weather when they step outside, check the news, check the radio, check the newspaper or how about those signs they have posted on the hiking trails to NOT hike when it's a certain temperature. You really can't fix stupid. I hope she's going to be okay so they can hit her with the huge bill I'm sure that's there & maybe they can take a brain scan to see it she actually has one or if it's working. Tired of hearing about some moron who can't get out of their own way & have to rescued from their own stupidity. It's worse when it's a moron who brings along a helpless child who didn't ask for this & then they have to be rescued.
"First responders noted she was in an altered mental state, a key indicator of severe heatstroke"
Yeah, well - I'll bet she was in an "altered mental state" when she decided it was a really great idea to hike up Echo Canyon on a sunny day with the temp. at 108deg. and a dew point of 50deg.
Not smart.
At the very least large signs should be posted at the base of Echo Canyon outlining dangers, suggesting NOT climbing between certain hours, and other safety ideas for the uninformed. STOP - Do you have water, head covering, phone, experience in mountain climbing, companion with you!!!