Stranded in Guadalupe Mts In Western Texas

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) AS 350 helicopter, in conjunction with U.S. Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents rescued a hiker in the Guadalupe Mountains in western Texas on January 12, 2025.

The AMO helicopter from Alpine, Texas, air detachment worked with the BORSTAR team from El Paso on a search and rescue for the hiker in Guadalupe National Park. The AMO Alpine Air Unit located the lost hiker at about 9:30 a.m. while a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Park Rangers also assisted in the search.

The BORSTAR agents hiked for two hours to reach the hiker on the mountain, where they administered advanced medical care for the hiker, who was already experiencing hypothermia symptoms. They changed his wet clothes for dry clothing and provided water and started a fire to warm him until he could be transported by helicopter down the mountain.

The first helo evac was delayed by poor weather and visibility, but then the patient was transported by EMS to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Ricardo Cardiel, Acting Special Operations Supervisor, Special Operations Detachment, El Paso Sector said, “The conditions were extremely cold with temperatures in upper 20’s Fahrenheit. The snowfall was significant and our BORSTAR agents made a significant physical effort to help rescue the hiker. BORSTAR agents are trained to conduct field trauma medicine in extreme conditions. This is the type of rescue our agents are trained to conduct.”

Efren Gonzalez, El Paso AMO Air Branch Director said, “I am very proud of our AMO crew and the U.S. Border Patrol BORSTAR team for their efforts in this rescue during very challenging winter conditions. Our agents training, preparation and conditioning really made a difference during this rescue.”

FMI:  www.cbp.gov/