Hear me out on this one, maybe, just maybe us hikers should take the summer off from hiking in Phoenix.

I know this won’t happen, and lots of people will take advantage of cooler temperatures in the early mornings, but the risk is real and exponential even if you have a minor injury.

An elderly was rescued by helicopter on Wednesday morning after suffering a fall and heat-related illness on a popular mountain trail in south Phoenix. The incident occurred near 24th Street and Dobbins Road, where Phoenix Fire crews responded around 9:30 a.m.

Rescue teams hiked in to reach the man, who had fallen and was showing signs of heat exhaustion. Due to the rugged terrain, a helicopter was brought in to hoist him off the mountain. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As summer temperatures continue to soar, officials urge hikers to avoid the trails during the hottest parts of the day and to always bring plenty of water.