Public Health Warning: Hike With Others

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

URGENT SAFETY ALERT: Realdez Trail Closed to Solo Hikers Following Reports of Unexplained Injuries and Specific Health Risks

REDWOOD COUNTY, Sept. 22, 2008 – The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) and the Aspen Wildlife Refuge Authority (AWRA) are issuing an urgent, heightened safety advisory for all individuals planning to use or currently traversing the Realdez Trail system. This advisory follows recent reports of unexplained injuries occurring among hikers and concerning specific health issues reported by victims.

Effective immediately, the Realdez Trail is strictly restricted to group travel only. Solo hiking is prohibited until the cause of these incidents is identified.

General Safety Measures and Unexplained Injuries

RCSO is investigating several confirmed incidents involving hikers who have sustained injuries in circumstances that remain unexplained. All trail users must exercise extreme caution and maintain heightened situational awareness.

All Hikers Must Adhere To The Following:

• Group Travel Mandate: Hikers must travel in groups of two or more at all times.

• Vigilance: Be aware of your surroundings and report any unusual sights, sounds, or suspicious activity immediately to the RCSO.

• Documentation: Log entry to the trail at the trailhead and share your itinerary with others before entering the trail system. Also make sure communication devices are charged and working properly.

CRITICAL Medical Warning for Male Hikers

The RCSO has identified a specific and critical pattern of symptoms reported by recent victims who are male.

Male hikers are strongly warned to monitor for the following constellation of symptoms and seek immediate emergency medical attention if they occur:

• Sudden painful prick or sting

• Loss of consciousness or memory lapse.

• Accompanying acute pain in the hips and groin area.

• Erection lasting longer than 4 hours.

Any male traveler experiencing this combination of symptoms after hiking the Realdez trail should be treated as a medical emergency and seek medical evaluation at the nearest medical facility.

Ongoing Concern for Female Hikers

Due to ongoing, open investigations referenced in previous advisories concerning disappearances reported among female solo hikers in the Realdez area, female travelers remain strictly instructed to adhere to the group travel mandate and must not separate from their group at any time.

"These incidents present an unusual and serious threat to our community," said Sheriff Thomlson of the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office. "The risks are real, and the public must treat this advisory with the utmost seriousness. The restriction on solo hiking is non-negotiable for the immediate future. We are working around the clock to understand the source of these incidents."

The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information regarding these incidents, or anyone who has witnessed unusual activity on the trail, to contact the Redwood County Tip Line immediately at (398) 567-9274 or info@RCSO.gov.