Four lost teenagers rescued after straying off trail near Almaty
Near-Tragedy in the Mountains: Four Teen Hikers Lost Near Almaty's Terra Meadow
A routine hiking trip nearly ended in disaster for a group of young men from Almaty. Four teenagers, aged 17 to 18, became lost in the area around the well-known Terra Meadow. After climbing to an altitude of over 2,600 meters, they lost their bearings and were unable to descend on their own. Our outlet reached out to Almaty Region's Department of Emergency Situations (DES) to learn what safety rules hikers should follow.
What Happened
Emergency services received a report of the missing hikers, and search teams immediately began combing the area. Fortunately, rescuers quickly established contact with the group.
It turned out the young men had strayed from the trail and ended up near Birch Grove.
"Communication with the lost hikers was established, and their approximate location was identified near Birch Grove. Thanks to swift search-and-rescue operations, they were found in the shortest possible time," the Emergency Situations Ministry reported.
According to officials, the teenagers escaped unharmed and did not require medical assistance.
Lifesaving Rules for Hikers
The Almaty Region DES noted that since 2026, there have been two cases in the region where lost hikers needed rescue.
The agency reminded the public of strict safety guidelines:
- Study your route in advance—check its length, elevation changes, difficult sections, and potential rest stops.
- Always notify emergency services (112) as well as family or friends of your destination and expected return time.
- Check the weather forecast—mountain conditions can shift abruptly, with sudden storms or snowfall possible.
- Familiarize yourself with the terrain and bring a map, compass, GPS device, or navigator.
- Assess your physical fitness, especially when choosing challenging routes with steep climbs to high altitudes.
- If avalanche warnings are issued, strongly avoid heading into the mountains.
