BUTTE — Branches and giant trees rot into the forest floor for miles along a stretch of trail located in the Beaverhead National Forest south of Butte.

If you happen to wander off trail on a hike, navigating over and under the debris, known as deadfall, proves to be a challenge in daylight, but imagine facing that challenge in the dark.

That was one of the challenges faced recently by a 60-year-old Illinois man who walked off the path while searching for treasure in the foothills of the Highland Mountains on Nov. 14.

"It was pitch black. You know.... there’s no street lights out there," said Karen "Sarge" Sargeant, the public information officer for the 15-90 Search and Rescue team.

Search and rescue officials share important wilderness safety tips after a nighttime rescue Treasure

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