Hiker looking for Christmas tree gets lost as night approaches, Montana rescuers say

A hiker was found three miles from where they were last seen after getting lost in a forest, Montana officials said.

The hiker didn’t return to their car after going out to cut a Christmas tree on Nov. 28, according to a Facebook post by the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue.

The sun was going down, so after receiving a call from a “recreationalist,” search and rescue teams were deployed, officials said.

Rescuers sent out “off-road vehicles, drones, and dog teams” to find the missing person, officials said.

The hiker was found and put into a waiting ambulance to be checked out by medical personnel, the release said.

Officials didn’t specify on the hiker’s condition.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue urges the public in the release to have a “backup plan when recreating,” to be dressed appropriately for the cold weather and to not plan on cell phone service as an adequate way to communicate.

Gallatin County is about 110 miles southeast of Helena.

This story was originally published November 29, 2023 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Hiker looking for Christmas tree gets lost as night approaches, Montana rescuers say."