WASHINGTON COUNTY — A Nellis Air Force military helicopter this afternoon helped spot three hikers stranded overnight Monday on snowy Pine Mountain.
The men, equipped with overnight camping and hiking gear — in addition to a cell phone and GPS unit — lost the trail they were hiking after a storm moved in Monday.
The trio was found about 3 p.m. Tuesday in good health and flown off the mountain to the search and rescue command center, where they were reunited with their families.
Members of the Washington County Search and Rescue team were joined Monday by a local helicopter to locate the hikers. Later in the day, Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada sent an Apache medical helicopter to assist in rescue efforts.
Despite several attempts made by the Nellis crew late into the night, heavy snowfall and poor visibility hampered the rescue attempt, Washington County Sheriff's Lt. Jake Adams said.