iPhone satellite texting helps rescue injured climber in Colorado

An iPhone’s satellite texting feature helped save a stranded climber in Colorado over the weekend. The 53-year-old man had summited Snowmass Mountain and was descending using a glissading technique when he injured his wrist and could no longer continue. There was no cell signal, but he used satellite texting on his iPhone to message a family member, who then contacted authorities.

He was located near Snowmass Lake, around eight miles from the parking lot. Rescuers said he couldn’t walk out on his own. Seventeen people from Mountain Rescue Aspen and the local sheriff’s office were involved in the operation, which lasted nearly 10 hours.

The iPhone’s satellite texting feature is available on the iPhone 14 and newer. It’s part of Apple’s push into emergency satellite communications, which also includes Emergency SOS via satellite. Other phone makers are starting to adopt similar features too.

Nobody wants to be in a situation where they have to use it, but having satellite communication can make a huge difference. In a press release, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office encouraged hikers and climbers to learn how to use satellite messaging. “If you’re asking for help, don’t hesitate to press the SOS button,” they said. “It lets us talk to you directly and respond faster.”