Connect with us

New Mexico

Hiker found dead on Albuquerque’s La Luz Trail sparks safety warnings

Published

on

Hiker found dead on Albuquerque’s La Luz Trail sparks safety warnings


Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Samuel Gurule. Authorities say there are no signs of foul play and no obvious trauma, though the investigation into his death is ongoing.

While details remain limited, officials say the tragedy is serving as an important reminder for hikers to prepare carefully before heading into the mountains.

Advertisement

“Respect the mountains, respect the outdoors,” said Steve LaRese with the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council. “We want to see everybody outside. Everyone deserves to be outside.”

With hiking season in full swing, trails throughout the Sandias are drawing more visitors. While the Sandia Crest remains closed, lower‑elevation routes like La Luz are open — and can appear deceptively manageable.

“It looks very obtainable and very two‑dimensional,” LaRese said. “But when you get in there, it’s a lot of rolling terrain.”

Between steep terrain, heat, elevation, and winding paths, conditions can change quickly — and it’s easy to get turned around.

“Little things turn into big things,” LaRese explained. “It’s very easy to get off the main trail and end up in a steep area or somewhere you don’t want to be.”

Advertisement

Search and Rescue officials say that’s why preparation is critical, even on shorter hikes.

The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council encourages hikers to over‑prepare, even if they don’t expect trouble. Recommended items include:

  • A light source, even for daytime hikes
  • A whistle, which can help rescuers locate you
  • Plenty of water and protection from the sun

If something does go wrong, officials stress that hikers should not hesitate to call for help.

“Search and Rescue in New Mexico is free,” LaRese said. “You won’t be charged for calling 911 or for a rescue team coming out to get you off the mountain.”

As temperatures continue to rise across New Mexico, hikers are urged to listen to their bodies and avoid pushing past their limits.

“Check your heart rate. Be realistic about your physical abilities,” LaRese said. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking two miles up and saying, ‘That’s a good day,’ and heading back. The mountain will always be there.”

Advertisement

One final reminder for hikers planning a summit route: never assume the Sandia Tram will be operating for a ride back down.

Weather conditions or maintenance closures can leave hikers stranded — sometimes facing a long descent after dark.

Officials say preparation, awareness, and knowing when to turn around can make the difference between a great hike and a dangerous situation.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

New Mexico

Woman arrested, accused of throwing knife and harassing neighbors

Published

on

Woman arrested, accused of throwing knife and harassing neighbors


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Southwest Albuquerque neighbors claim a woman targeted them for at least a year, throwing items into their yard, and leading one family to spend more than $1,000 on security.

Neighbors said they kept contacting Albuquerque police, the city and the state after the most recent encounter left a father with a cut on his face. They said Sunday’s arrest helped some, but they still do not feel safe.

Richard and Lindsey Boldin said they have dealt with harassment from Andrea Padilla-Garcia for at least a year. They said she has thrown broken glass, frozen food, a MacBook, metal poles and wood over their fence and dumped nail polish on it.

They said the incident with the glass resulted in a cut to Richard’s face.

Advertisement

“She can’t come back to where she lives. I won’t feel safe. There’s no way,” Lindsey Boldin said.

The Boldins said they spent more than a thousand dollars on security cameras, motion-sensor lights and other steps to protect their property. They also blocked the view into their yard, but said they still do not feel safe.

“It hurts the whole family. We’ve got to watch animals going outside. We have to watch when we go outside. You know, when can we go outside?” Richard Boldin said. “She kept coming to the fence and attacking the fence and shaking it and yelling at the fence at the children, you know, giving them inappropriate, you know, telling them inappropriate things.”

Neighbor Lawrence Lovato said he has lived in the neighborhood for about a year and what he has seen stands out from anything he has experienced before. He said he has called police multiple times.

“Never in my life have I have I seen something as horrible that I’ve seen here,” Lawrence Lovato said.

Advertisement

Lovato said he worries about his own safety and his daughter’s safety. Neighbors said they plan to keep looking out for one another and hope the latest arrest leads to help for Padilla-Garcia. She remains in jail and faced charges of battery and aggravated assault.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Mexico

Retirement reality check: Is it too late to start saving?

Published

on

Retirement reality check: Is it too late to start saving?


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Americans now say they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, up $200,000 from last year, according to a study discussed by Oakmont Advisory Group.

David Hicks of Oakmont Advisory Group said the number can feel overwhelming, but he said people should focus on starting and adjusting a plan instead of panicking.

“The average retiree actually has less than $300,000 saved for retirement, so that’s about a $1 million gap there,” Hicks said.

Hicks said the $1.46 million figure reflects what people think they need, but he said retirement planning depends on each person’s savings, income and timeline.

Advertisement

He said longer life spans now mean many people need to plan for 20, 25 or even 30 years in retirement.

“When you start saving when you’re younger, it makes a lot of difference in the future,” Hicks said.

Hicks said 57% of people do not start saving until after age 30, and he said about a third do not start until their 40s.

Hicks pointed to Fidelity benchmarks that suggest workers should aim to save one times their salary in their 30s, three times in their 40s, six times in their 50s and 10 times by retirement.

“Don’t wait another year. Don’t wait another month. Just start that process of saving,” Hicks said.

Advertisement

Hicks also said the study found people who work with a financial adviser improve their chances of retirement success by about 50% and report more confidence about their plans.



Source link

Continue Reading

New Mexico

Stables at Tamaya kick-off annual rodeo season featuring rescue horses

Published

on

Stables at Tamaya kick-off annual rodeo season featuring rescue horses


NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A New Mexico rodeo tradition is changing lives one horse at a time. For years, the Stables at Tamaya have kept old western traditions alive at Santa Ana Pueblo, and they’re also giving dozens of rescue horses a second chance at life.

Every Thursday night under the stable lights at Tamaya, folks from all over gather for a one-of-a-kind rodeo.

Head Wrangler at the Stables at Tamaya, Dominic Duran says, “Our rodeos are so special because they really show the growth of all of our horses out here.”

From team roping to barrel racing and steer stopping the stunts are all performed by none other than rescue horses. “The main thing to know is it’s not a regular rodeo. It’s not about the competition. It’s about the growth of the horses,” explained founder and owner of Tamaya Horse Rehab Connie Collis.

Advertisement

Collis founded Tamaya Horse Rehab 14 years ago, saving horses from across the state and country, providing them with much-needed TLC to get them back on their hooves.

“These horses are all rescued from various situations. We have a lot of owner surrenders. We have horses that we get through the livestock board, neglect cases, abuse cases, as well as some Mustangs,” explained Duran.

The rodeo started shortly after the horse rehabilitation program was launched to generate funding to pay for everything from the alfalfa they eat, to the costly treatments for the dozens of horses in their care.

“Our goal is to make them the best versions of themselves. And so when we take them in, we want to analyze what we have and our goal is to get them as far as we can,” emphasized head wrangler Duran. “Horses are just like people. They need a job and they start to love what they do, just like we do out here.”

Duran says every horse has a different story and journey, but over the years, they’ve helped hundreds, offering them a full and enriching life through riding and activities like the rodeo.

“It is an amazing journey to get one, especially a skinny one or one that has really bad behavioral problems, and turn it around,” shared Collis.

Collis says the rodeo has grown in size every year and has quickly become a beloved tradition at the stables and across the equestrian community, becoming one of their larger fundraisers throughout the year. And with 126 horses in their care right now, they hope more people will make their way out to the stables this summer.

“Whether you’ve been here one time or 10 times, you should definitely come on out and come love on your favorite horses and see what progress they made over the last couple years,” said Duran.

The Stables at Tamaya will continue to run their rodeo season every Thursday from 7 to 9 through the third week of August.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending