A man wearing shorts was rescued from a snowy mountain and treated for hypothermia after embarking on a hike in a quest for free pizza.

The man took up a challenge from a local business offering free food to anyone who could make it to a radio tower on 9,000ft Mount Elden, overlooking Flagstaff in Arizona.

A Forest Service lookout at the radio tower was sent to search for the 30-year-old after authorities received a report of someone in trouble on the mountain.

Image: Several inches of snow had fallen in a spring storm

Conditions had deteriorated after several inches of snow fell during a spring storm.

The lookout provided shelter for the man, who was either unaware of the weather forecast or ignored it when he set off on Tuesday morning.


Coconino County Sheriff's Commander Rex Gililand said: "Regardless of what this business offers... the responsibility falls back to the individual to make good, sound decisions about what they're going to do."

The freezing temperature and snowfall on the mountain were clear signs that the hike would be dangerous, he said, adding: "It shouldn't have been a surprise."

The man has not been identified.