Jim Courson has hiked and skied thousands of miles in the backcountry by his own estimate, so he may not be the kind of outdoorsman most people think would need saving. But all it took was one slip.

The 10-year Ouray County resident prepared for his Oct. 10 hike up Richmond Pass Trail, a steep trek near Ironton that rewards hikers with views of Yankee Boy Basin, like any other. The hospice nurse brought a small first-aid kit, extra layers, snacks and water. He had his friend Alan North and collie...