Women's church group rescued from Camelback Mountain after hiking to get closer to God

Group filming 'Bad Girls Gone God' documentary had to be rescued on Camelback Mountain

The women set off on a hike of the Echo Mountain Trail at around 7:00 a.m. on June 23, and eventually had to be rescued by Phoenix Fire officials amid the extreme heat. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.

PHOENIX - Eight people were rescued from Camelback Mountain after multiple members of their hiking group began suffering from heat-related illness Thursday afternoon, Phoenix fire officials said.

A women's church group had reportedly started hiking Echo Canyon Trail at around 7:00 a.m. for a retreat. Fire officials say the group consisted of women from Alabama, Tennessee, and California, and that they were filming for a documentary called "Bad Girls Gone God," where they embark on strenuous activities to get closer to God.

"We started doing a women’s retreat every year, where we get together," said Jasmin Hunter. "We praise, we worship, and we do different activities not only to test our physical test, but spiritual as well."

The hikers reportedly told fire crews that they did not do their research before starting the hike. Several of the hikers were wheeled down the trail, and two had to be brought down by helicopter. Three were hospitalized in stable condition.

"I started getting really, really dizzy, and after a while, I just said ‘no, I can’t do this,’" Tatiana Robinson recounted.

"I barely made it down. I had an episode in the car where I almost passed out. It was a lot," said Kristen Livingston.

"Our drone was able to get up quickly, locate different groups who are separated, and let us know if they were stable and give us a visual evaluation," said Cpt. Evan Gammage with the Phoenix Fire Department.

Members of the group insist god and Arizona were on their side.

"God was definitely with us," said Robinson. "We’re thinking if they didn’t call -- I don’t know what would’ve happened, but we wouldn’t have made it, maybe."

The women who went to the hospital are 24, 42, and 50. No firefighters were injured.

Temperatures on June 22 were in the triple digits, and Arizona first responders are continuing to warn hikers about the dangers of taking on the trails in the heat.

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Hiking safety tips

Avoid drinking the night before, or drinking coffee in the morning.
Wear the proper gear: footwear, hats, sunglasses
Bring a fully charged phone and hike with someone
Hydrate before, during and after a hike
Pick a cooler time of day
If you're hiking alone, tell someone where you're going
Know your limitations
Stay on the trail

Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke

The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

Stay in air-conditioned buildings
Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)
Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day
Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside

Take a Hike. Do it Right campaign: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/hikeright

More heat resources: http://heataz.gov

Heat relief stations: https://www.salvationarmyphoenix.org/extreme-heat-relief

MORE: Know your limitations: Phoenix first responders ask hikers to prepare for heat, avoid overexertion

Hikers warned to take extra precaution as triple-digit heat arrives in Phoenix

With days of triple-digit heat expected for the Phoenix areas, people are urged to remember the important things to do when the weather gets hot. FOX 10's Bailey Miller reports.

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