A hiker who was lost for 24 hours ignored calls from rescuers because they came from an unknown number.

Many of us don’t like picking up phone calls if we don’t know who is ringing.

But for one backpacker, the phobia of answering calls from an unknown number went a little too far…

The lost hiker didn’t answer his phone as the calls were from an unknown number. Credit: Alamy

The hiker, whose name has not been released, was stranded on Colorado’s Mount Elbert.

Lake County Search and Rescue (LCSR) officials released a statement of their search efforts for the anonymous backpacker.

The man had begun his journey at 9 a.m., and the alarm was raised that evening when he didn’t return home.

His absence was especially worrying as he wasn’t answering his phone.

The hiker was reported missing at 8 p.m. and rescuers were deeply concerned about his fate.

Eventually, the man was located and he explained to rescuers that he had accidentally diverged from the main path, and had spent the night trying to get back on track.

He reached his car in the morning, approximately 24 hours after starting his hike – oblivious that a search and rescue team had been looking for him.

A statement from LCSR reads: “One notable takeaway is that the subject ignored repeated phone calls from us because they didn’t recognize the number.

“If you’re overdue according to your itinerary, and you start getting repeated calls from an unknown number, please answer the phone; it may be a SAR team trying to confirm you’re safe!”

The team adds: “Please remember that what seems like common sense in hindsight is not obvious to a subject at the moment when they are lost and panicking.

“In Colorado, most folks who spend time outdoors have a good understanding of the SAR infrastructure that is there to help them, but this is not the case nationwide. Please keep your comments respectful.”

People are reacting on Facebook after hearing the hiker’s story.

One person says: “Every now and then it’s good to answer an unknown caller.”

Another Facebook user jokes: “It just goes to show you how bad the spam calls are getting.”

Sympathetically, a third comments: “Have any of you ever been lost? The survival brain takes over and unless you have practiced STOP – stop, think, observe, and plan, it’s really hard to do.”

Even with careful planning, hiking can be dangerous.

Fortunately, Mountain Warehouse has some helpful advice for backpackers in case they get lost.

The website warns: “Do not panic. That is the worst thing you can do and will likely cause things to get worse.”

Instead, you should stop and rest, think about your route and landmarks, observe your surroundings and resources, and plan your next steps carefully.

Use your phone if there’s coverage, blow a whistle for help, and make yourself visible with bright items.

If staying overnight, find shelter, stay warm, and create signals for rescuers.