Lost hiker texts for help just before phone dies, California rescuers say

A hiker who texted his wife with a dying phone battery after taking a wrong turn was found safe on a San Francisco Bay Area peak in an overnight rescue, California searchers said.

The woman notified authorities that her husband did not return from hiking on Mount Tamalpais after saying he expected to be about 90 minutes late in a 5:30 p.m. text on Friday, Oct. 31, Marin County Search and Rescue said in a news release.

She was able to provide rescuers with the last known position of his phone before the search began at about 11:20 p.m.

At about 2 a.m., searchers found the missing hiker, officials said. He told them he had stopped hiking when his phone died after dark and he escaped injury in two falls.

“He was dehydrated and grateful to be found and extricated,” searchers said in the release.

Rescuers hiked out with the man, and a deputy drove him to his vehicle parked at the trailhead, officials said.

Mount Tamalpais is a 2,550-foot high peak about a 20-mile drive northwest from San Francisco.

What to do if you get lost while hiking

If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.

“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.

You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”

There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:

• Have more than enough food and water with you.
• Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
• Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
• Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
• Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
• Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
• Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”

This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Lost hiker texts for help just before phone dies, California rescuers say."