WTF

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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A Colorado hiker got lost, but picking up the phone for an unknown number was not an option.

A man who became lost for 24 hours started the hike of Mount Elbert from the South Trailhead at around 9 a.m. on Oct. 18. After not returning by 8 p.m., it raised suspicion, and the search parties were ready for the worst.

Searching Was Impossible Because It Was Nighttime

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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The authorities confirmed that the rescue teams started calling the number of the lost man, but he would not answer. Lake county search and rescue repeatedly called a man and as went as far as leaving voice messages.

Nothing was working, and two hours later, at around 10 p.m., a five-member team of rescuers started looking for the man. It was impossible since it was already nighttime, so they resumed in the morning.

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The three-member team spent two and a half hours until they finally found the missing person in the morning.

Everyone Is Safe And Sound

By 9:30 a.m., the man was safe, though he had no idea that anyone was trying to find him. Perhaps because he never answered all those phone calls.

Officials posted this story on Facebook, as their statement read:

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"The subject stated they'd lost the trail around nightfall and spent the night searching for the trail, and once on the trail, bounced around onto different trails trying to locate the proper trailhead, finally reaching their car the next morning, approximately 24 hours after they'd started their hike. They had no idea that SAR was out looking for them."

"One notable take-away is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn't recognize the number. If you're overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a (search and rescue) team trying to confirm you're safe!"

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This story has, luckily, a happy ending, making it both cringeworthy and hilarious.

The Internet's Loaded With Witty Comments

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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As Twitter users pointed out, the hiker clearly did not think he was in any danger.

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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But, it doesn't make this situation any less bizarre.

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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Though many showed sympathy for the hiker, some were not as empathetic.

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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And others were right down hilarious!

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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Yet, no one bothered to send a plain old text message.

Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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Hiker Lost For 24 Hours Ignored Rescuers' Calls Because Number Was Unrecognized
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The question is: what would you do? Drop us a comment below!