Tucson, Ariz. – In one of the strangest SAR incidents in recent memory, Arizona search and rescue teams found and assisted a hiker who got lost while dressed as a hot dog in Catalina State Park. The hiker, who was attempting a five-day, 100 mile hiking event for charity, found themselves in a pickle after becoming lost and exhausted in rough conditions on the Arizona Trail.
Members of the Southern Arizona Rescue Association received the emergency callout the evening of March 19th and started working their way to coordinates provided by the subject. Additional information later came in about the subject’s getup, which caused some confusion among the teams. According to SARA member Trevor Dickerson, they weren’t mis-hearing the radios; SARA was in fact tasked with rescuing someone who was dressed as a hot dog with mustard.
SARA teams located the subject two hours later near a series of popular natural pools close to the trail. It turned out they had become lost after hiking for twelve hours in conditions ranging from snow at high altitude to warmer areas with several water crossings. Fortunately they were not injured and were able to continue back to the trailhead after a medical assessment, rest and food. “This was, without question, the most memorable call of my time with SARA,” said Dickerson.
The Hot Dog 100 raises money for the local food bank. Participants dress up as hot dogs and then walk for the cause. With the mission being a success and the subject safe and sound, it is safe to assume that SARA will relish this operation for years to come.
Photos SARA Hot Dog Photo: Members of Southern Arizona Rescue Association pose with their hot dog-dressed subject after bringing them to the trailhead at Catalina State Park (SARA)
ERM Screenshot: The Emergency Response Manager Screen for SARA showing the updated subject description including condiments (SARA)
“This was, without question, the most memorable call of my time with SARA,” said Dickerson. The Hot Dog 100 raises money for the local food bank. Participants dress up as hot dogs and then walk for the cause.
With the mission being a success and the subject safe and sound, it is safe to assume that SARA will relish this operation for years to come