Crocs are great for a lot of things – but mountain climbing isn’t one of them… even if the Crocs are put in sport mode. A recent incident that took place on a 11,916-foot mountain peak in Nevada puts that bitter truth on display.

According to local news source KSNV, two male hikers, 20 and 21, set out to tackle a 16-mile round-trip summit bound hike on 11,916-foot Mount Charleston on November 15 – one in hiking boots and the other donning Crocs, the popular slip-on clog-style shoe.

While the two summited the peak successfully, their descent down icy trail proved much more difficult.

The duo decided to swap one shoe each, meaning that each hiker had one boot with better traction, but falling snow only complicated the situation – and the holes in the Crocs let moisture in, leaving socks soaking wet. And it didn’t help that their ample water supply had now frozen and was undrinkable.

Slipping and sliding along the way, search and rescue was called when the two failed to return as intended. Thankfully, the duo’s perseverance and drive to make it back to the trailhead kept them going, with the pair making it back to their vehicle to be greeted by first responders about four hours behind schedule.

A full report on this incident can be found here, but the takeaway is simple – when embarking on an excursion into nature, plan for the elements and terrain when selecting gear. Obviously, Crocs aren’t great for serious hiking – for many reasons – and the hiker’s decision to wear Crocs in wintery weather could have proved to be much more disastrous. Even the fact that Crocs let in moisture, alone, could mean a nasty consequence like frostbite.

When traveling in the backcountry during winter, it’s crucial to bring waterproof layers that will keep the body warm. While no one assumes a hike will end in a stranding, it’s a possibility, and hikers should plan ahead to be able to spend much longer in the backcountry than intended.

And don’t forget to pack the 10 safety essentials, too.