Hiker rescue effort in Little Cottonwood Canyon postponed until morning

LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON — Search and rescue teams Sunday night decided to put off the rescue for two hikers stuck on a ledge up Little Cottonwood Canyon until first light Monday morning.

The hikers from Sandy, who began traversing Gate Buttress hiking trail earlier Sunday, became stranded while trying to climb down a different route.

Authorities said the two men in their early 20s were stuck in a "precarious position," where they can't climb down without ropes.

"They were on a pretty sheer cliff area with no ropes, no technical equipment or gear, and no experience," said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Don Hutson.

Rescue teams attempted to reach the stranded duo, who called around 6:30 p.m. via cell phone when they realized their predicament, but had to call off the effort because of light and a tricky location, Hutson said. Care packages including blankets, lights, a radio, food and other necessities were dropped from a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter.

The two men are about 900 vertical feet above the road and about a half mile up the canyon from the mouth.

With 10- to 20-degree weather, authorities said they would attempt another rescue if necessary.

— Lana Groves