When Mark Young set out in his rental car, bound for the desert south of Cordes Lakes, Ariz., he thought he was headed on a short hike and overnight trip. However, the 76-year-old became disoriented after leaving his vehicle and started making “one wrong decision after another,” according to rescuers. Before he knew it, he was lost, becoming dehydrated, and in serious danger.
Four days later, after a massive search and rescue operation involving numerous agencies and teams, helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, horses, and search dogs, his own son would be the one to find him, alive.
Young’s family reported him missing to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Forest Patrol on Friday, April 17, after he failed to return home for dinner following his solo adventure. By Saturday morning, search teams had located Young’s rental car on a very remote county road deep in the desert. The search and rescue (SAR) operation kicked into high gear after that.
Yavapai County scrambled its SAR resources, deploying its Jeep Posse, Back Country Unit, 4×4 Unit, and Verde SAR. They were joined by partner agencies from both Coconino and Maricopa Counties. One local rancher even joined the search, riding his own horse and bringing his own search dogs. Of course, the Young family (including all seven of Mark’s children) also joined the search effort.
In the end, the huge effort paid off.
“My dad’s life was worth saving,” one of his sons said in a statement, posted to the YCSO Facebook page. “And your teams showed that.”
Lost for 4 Days, Just 6 Miles From His Car
YCSO told GearJunkie that Young had sleeping materials in his car. However, he wasn’t carrying any overnight equipment when he set off on his hike. He had snacks, a compass, his cell phone, and a lighter, but little else. According to the sheriff’s office, he missed a turn on his hike back to the vehicle. He became disoriented and decided to hike into a canyon he thought would lead him out. That led him even further astray.
In the video YCSO posted about Young, rescuers describe how challenging the terrain in this part of Arizona is to search. There are hills and canyons, and it’s very hard to pinpoint where sounds might be coming from. At one point during the search, rescuers reported hearing a faint cry for help, but they couldn’t tell where the voice was emanating from.
The rescue effort took three full days and covered dozens of miles of what the YCSO post describes as “punishing terrain.” They came across rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and black bears, according to the post, but no sign of Young.
By Monday morning, hope was diminishing — until around 1 p.m., when rescuers got a satellite text message from one of Young’s sons. He’d found his father just 6 miles from the car. The Maricopa County FOX 1 helicopter rushed in to extract him.
“Mark was found alert and in surprisingly good spirits,” the YCSO post describes. “Even carrying jokes, as he was hoisted from the canyon floor and airlifted to a Phoenix-area hospital.”
Young’s cell phone had satellite SOS capability, so he could have called for help. However, he didn’t know how to use the function on his phone. He also refrained from starting signal fires during the day, allegedly out of fear of starting a forest fire.
In the video posted by YCSO, one of his sons is incredulous to learn that his father was wearing cowboy boots instead of hiking shoes.
YCSO confirmed that Young made it home safely and is in good condition.
If you plan on venturing into the wilderness to camp or hike alone, always make sure you’re prepared with adequate water, food, and navigation tools. Check GearJunkie’s guide to the 10 Essentials of Hiking for a rundown of the basic gear and supplies you should always have when you set off on the trail.
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