On Saturday, September 4, 2021, at approximately 7:33 p.m., Boulder County Communications Center received a call from a 38-year-old female regarding her 41-year-old husband, who had become sick and started getting cramps while hiking.

The couple was hiking the Devil’s Thumb Trail located at 730 Fourth Of July Road just west of the town of Nederland in Unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado. The couple are from Aurora, Colorado, and frequently go backpacking and camping. Once the male became sick, they started back down the trail, but his condition did not improve, and he needed help.

Rescue personnel from the Nederland Fire Protection District, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, and American Medical Response responded.

At approximately 8:22 p.m., the first rescue team hiked up the trail, where they contacted the couple at approximately 10:09 p.m. A second rescue team followed in a UTV and transported the couple down the trail to the trailhead.

The male was medically cleared and did not need further medical assistance, and it appeared he was dehydrated. All rescue personnel were out of the field at approximately 1:15 a.m. The rescue lasted just under six hours.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is 21-4265.