Hiker lost on US mountain ignored calls from rescuers because it was an 'unknown number'

A United States rescue crew has some easy advise for missing mountaineers or anybody else who could find themselves alone in the mountains: answer your phone.

Last week, Lake County Search & Rescue received a report that a hiker had gone missing on Mount Elbert.

The hiker left around 9 amon October 18 and didn't return until 8 pm, according to LCSAR's Facebook page.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

According to the post, the man's whereabouts were unknown for 24 hours after he went on a trek to Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest mountain, last week.

The hiker went missing at 8 p.m. on October 18 after failing to return to his lodging, according to officials.

After “multiple efforts to contact the individual through their cell phone were unsuccessful,” LCSAR was notified.

According to LCSAR, this hiker missed the path about dusk and went through the night in search of it.

The hiker had to check multiple trailheads after they were back on the path before finding the one where they'd left their car.

It advises that once above the treeline, snow can conceal the route, and that hikers shouldn't expect to be able to follow their footsteps back down the mountain since the wind might blow them away.

(With inputs from agencies)