Some of these students and faculty are probably rethinking “climate change” in light of their recent visit to the Grand Canyon.

Sixteen Northern Arizona University students and four faculty members were rescued by air after becoming stranded at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

“There’s nobody in danger. Nobody has any health issues. Everyone is doing fine,” said Tom Bauer, spokesperson for NAU.

The group was wrapping up a six-day hike as part of a wilderness education component of the parks and recreation management course.

Roads became impassable for the group’s two vans after about two feet of snow accumulated.

“They were fully prepared. They had satellite phones, their individual cell phones, plenty of provisions,” Bauer said. “They were never in danger, so to speak, they were stuck in the snow.”

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 1 p.m. on Monday alerting them of the situation but were unable to perform a rescue due to the weather conditions.

“The weather was pretty bad last night for flying and for trying to get up here with the snow cats and the mat track,” said Dennis Gill of Coconino County Search and Rescue.

The group was advised to stay in their vans for the night and make shelter until weather conditions permitted a rescue.

“Luckily, the weather cleared up and DPS helicopter could fly them out in groups of three or four at a time,” Gill said.