An insurance underwriter, Steve Stephanides, was rescued from Mt. Shavano in central Colorado after reportedly being left behind by his group while hiking to raise funds for World Central Kitchen.
The 46-year-old endured a night of freezing rain on the 14,230-foot mountain before being saved on Saturday.
Beazley, Stephanides’ employer, confirmed the hike was part of an annual charity event and expressed gratitude towards Chaffee County Search and Rescue – South for their efforts.
CEO Adrian Cox praised the rescue team for their quick and brave actions under challenging conditions.
The hike, which supports the nonprofit World Central Kitchen founded by José Andrés, has been an annual event for over a decade. Although the incident is under review, Cox affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting those involved.
The situation unfolded when Stephanides, who had separated from his group, became disoriented and lost his way while attempting to descend. After losing cell service and experiencing multiple falls, he was finally located by rescue teams and transported to a hospital in stable condition.
Seven rescue teams from across Colorado participated in the operation.
