A hiker who became stuck in a New Mexico gorge after searching for a hot spring is facing trespass charges, authorities have said. Casey Waldman, 54, from Huntington Beach, California, was rescued from the Rio Grande Gorge on Friday after a bystander reported that he had fallen off a ledge.
Deputies from the Taos County Sheriff’s Office described Waldman as “cursing and irate” when they arrived. He had intentionally climbed down the gorge to find a hot spring but became trapped and was unable to climb back out. Waldman refused medical attention after being rescued.
The incident occurred near the High Bridge, about 10 miles northwest of Taos. It is illegal to climb down into the gorge, which is a National Monument. Waldman has been charged with criminal trespass.
The sheriff’s office criticised the use of resources, calling it “an unnecessary and avoidable expenditure”. Multiple local fire departments, Taos EMS, and Taos Central Dispatch responded to the call.
