“The configuration deviated from any inherent contour of the mountain…”
In the initial days of July 2023, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Squad in Colorado responded to an urgent call from a distressed family. Zola, a 3-year-old canine companion, had tumbled down the eastern slope of Torreys Peak during a hiking expedition, leaving her family anxious about her fate.
“The family conveyed that Zola had descended from the summit of Torreys,” Angela Wilder, a member of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Squad involved in the search, shared with The Dodo. “Shortly after the fall, they glimpsed her head briefly approximately 30 feet below them amidst the rocks before she descended further, disappearing from view.”
Wilder and a contingent of 25 additional search and rescue personnel were mobilized to Torreys Peak, and seven individuals ascended to the summit to assist Zola’s worried family.
Upon reaching the family, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the scene, as the family braced themselves for potentially tragic news. The rescue team promptly initiated their efforts, aiming to alleviate the family’s anguish. “Our initial strategy involved hiking to a vantage point where we could assess the presumed fall location and determine if Zola could be located, and subsequently, if access to her could be safely achieved,” Wilder explained.
It took Wilder and her comrades approximately an hour to traverse the terrain and reach a point where they could finally discern Zola. Wilder vividly portrayed her as “a speck of black that stood out on the top of a 2,000-foot snow couloir.”
“At that distance, we couldn’t be certain it was her, but the contour was distinct from any natural feature of the mountain, and several team members believed they detected movement,” Wilder recounted. “That sliver of information motivated us to press on and ascend to the summit to confirm her presence.”
Their perseverance bore fruit when they encountered the heartwarming sight of Zola, the grateful dog, eagerly awaiting their arrival. “Picture our astonishment and sheer joy as we peered over the edge, only to find her alive and wagging her tail,” Wilder exclaimed.
Wilder described Zola, who had descended nearly 600 feet and patiently awaited assistance for approximately eight hours, perched at the summit of a steep snowfield just beneath a 15-foot wall of snow, nestled against a rock face.
“After a thorough evaluation of the circumstances and a careful discussion on risk mitigation, our field teams constructed a series of anchors and lowered me with a rope off the rocks and into the couloir,” Wilder recounted. “I traversed across the snow for about 40 to 50 feet until Zola was within my reach.”
Wilder then carefully placed Zola in a bag, ensuring the canine could be securely transported down the mountainside.
“When I initially reached her, she was in distress, whimpering and trembling,” Wilder shared. “She grunted at me a few times as I attempted to place her into the bag, as if questioning my expertise!”
“Although she initially resisted, she quickly settled down and allowed me to carry her without protest,” she added.
Zola had sustained “significant abrasions” to her stomach, buttocks, and hind legs, and was unable to put weight on one of them. Consequently, when Wilder ascended back to level ground, Zola was carefully loaded into another rescuer’s backpack and escorted down from Torreys Peak.
“Once in the backpack, she remained as composed as can be, not uttering a sound for the rest of the journey,” Wilder remarked.
Upon the heartwarming reunion between Zola and her family, an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief enveloped them.
For fellow dog owners planning hikes on Torreys Peak or other trails, Wilder emphasized the importance of understanding your dog’s limits.
“Be aware of your pup’s capabilities, know when it’s best to leave them at home, consider using a leash in challenging terrain or in the presence of wildlife, and if you opt for an adventure, be quick to turn back at any signs of pushing their limits or if they aren’t feeling well,” Wilder advised.
“Moreover, anticipate unforeseen illness and injury, and ensure you carry the necessary essentials for both yourself and your furry companions,” Wilder advised.
Thanks to the courage and prompt decision-making of the Alpine Rescue Team, Zola and her family can now look forward to numerous more outdoor adventures in the future.