The Ouray Mountain Rescue team rescued a group of 43 Boy Scouts and adults Wednesday from an ice field on Richmond Pass between Ouray and Silverton.

The hikers from Arizona were stuck in deep snow and icy conditions at 12,300 feet, said Marti Whitmore, spokeswoman for Ouray County. The Scouts had been hiking and camping in the area for a few days.

With help from the rescue team, the whole group walked back down to the Richmond Pass trailhead with only minor injuries.

The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office was contacted around 7 a.m. about the group.

At first, a rescue team attempted to reach the group from County Road 361, but it was unsuccessful.

A second rescue team responded from U.S. Highway 550, and it was able to find the Boy Scouts by mid-morning.

“We’re relieved that mountain rescue was able to locate them so quickly,” Whitmore said.

mshinn@ durangoherald.com