Cell Phones Lead To Quick Rescue For Hikers

LAKE BERRYESSA (CBS13) – More than a dozen hikers in the last two weeks alone have been rescued after using their cell phones to call for help they got in over their heads, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol officials said the unexpected surge in rescues may be due to the unusually dry weather in Northern California, which created favorable conditions but fewer hours of sunshine than the summer months.

"People go walking during the daylight and it just turns dark on them. It gets very disorienting very fast," said CHP pilot Jim Andrews.

Cell phones not only allowed the hikers to call for help after being stranded in the dark, but also served as a beacon for helicopter search crews. Andrews said the agency's night vision goggles allow them to spot a glowing cell phone screen up to eight miles away.

Video from the helicopter showed the cell phone lead the helicopter to a lost family of five.

"It's still a relatively new tool for us," he said. "It's already created so many saves."

None of the 12 rescued hikers were injured before helicopter crews found them.

Authorities said hikers should always be prepared to spend unexpected time in the elements and always pack warm clothes and food.