GERING, Neb. — A 22-year-old hiker was rescued Tuesday after being stranded overnight in a crevice on a canyon bluff in the Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, south of Gering.
Authorities say the hiker began descending the bluff around dusk on Oct. 6 when he encountered a steep drop he could not climb back.
Forced to spend the night, he stayed in a canyon crevice until morning.
On Oct. 7 around noon (Mountain Time), the hiker sent his coordinates to someone who immediately alerted Nebraska Game & Parks, specifically Capt. Sean McKeehan.
Conservation officers and wildlife staff moved quickly to locate him.
Gering Fire & Rescue used rappelling gear to lower a harness to the trapped hiker, then lifted him safely down to the canyon floor.
He was examined by Regional West Emergency Management Services afterward and released—they found no life-threatening injuries.
Additional support at the scene came from the Nebraska State Patrol and Gering Police Department.
Cedar Canyon WMA is known for its pine and juniper-covered escarpments, meadows, canyons, and rugged terrain.