• Climber rescued after being trapped in quicksand
• Specialized teams came for aid

An experienced climber got stuck in quicksand at Arches National Park in Utah, sinking up to his thighs during a 32-kilometer hike through a small canyon.

The park, famous for its numerous natural sandstone arches, welcomes over a million visitors annually and frequently records incidents such as falls and heat-related injuries.

While quicksand is uncommon, it has occurred several times in the past.

The climber was unable to free himself and activated a satellite emergency beacon, which alerted the local rescue team.

A specialized team equipped with all-terrain vehicles, ladders, stabilizing boards, medical boards, and a drone to assess the situation was dispatched.

Drone footage showed a park ranger attempting to shovel sand away from the climber, but the sand immediately filled back in as soon as any was removed.

Ladders and boards were placed near the climber, and his legs were slowly freed after he spent nearly two hours standing in semi-frozen mud, with temperatures ranging between -6°C and -1°C.

The climber was then warmed, returned to a standing position, and was able to walk on his own while carrying his backpack.

Authorities confirmed that the greatest danger in quicksand is not complete submersion, as the body largely floats and most people will not sink past their waist.

This incident mirrors a similar case in 2014, when a 78-year-old woman became trapped in the same canyon for over 13 hours before being rescued, and she fully recovered the use of her legs afterward.

Police reports noted that both incidents ended without serious injuries.