Copter Plucks 2 Hikers From Mount Rainier

Stranded Climbers Suffer Frostbite, Hypothermia After Freak Blizzard Kills Partner

(CBS/ AP)  An Army Chinook helicopter has rescued two hikers who were stranded high on the flank of Washington's Mount Rainier after a freak blizzard.

Mount Rainier National Park spokesman Kevin Bacher says they were picked up about 6:15 a.m. PDT Wednesday at Camp Muir for a flight to Madigan Hospital at the Army base near Tacoma for treatment or transport to another hospital.

The man and woman had frostbite and hypothermia from being caught overnight Monday in a blizzard that killed the woman's husband.

The two survivors are expected to recover, reports CBS News affiliate KIRO-TV.

The three had been on a day hike to Camp Muir when they were caught in the storm that dumped 2 feet of snow.

Bacher says the three people in their 30s from Bellevue, east of Seattle, were experienced climbers and two had reached the top of Mount Rainier before.

Bacher and Park Ranger Sandi Kinzer declined to identify the three, saying park officials were having difficulty contacting the dead hiker's family.

The three spent Monday night and early Tuesday trapped on the Muir snowfield before one of the hikers reached Camp Muir, a staging area for climbers high on the volcano's flank. From there he directed rescuers to the other hikers, one of whom died at the camp.

Three doctors, clients of a climbing concessionaire in the park, were at Camp Muir with the two surviving hikers, who were suffering from frostbite and hypothermia but were in stable condition, Bacher said.

The decision was made to wait for improved weather that would allow for a helicopter rescue, rather than risk exposing the two injured hikers to the elements.

"Since they are safe and stable where they are, we'll wait until we get a weather window to get them off the mountain," Kinzer said yesterday.

After a winter of heavy snowfall that forced repeated closure of mountain passes, unseasonably cold conditions have continued long into spring in Washington's Cascade Range. Paradise, the jumping off point for the trail to Camp Muir, received 2 feet of fresh snow overnight, with 5-foot drifts at the camp, Bacher said.

Bacher said rangers received a call at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday that the hikers were trapped in a blizzard.

Weather prevented a rescue attempt at that time, but one of the hikers reached Camp Muir at 7:15 a.m. The other hikers were found near Anvil Rock, a large outcropping at the edge of the Muir snowfield about 500 feet lower than Camp Muir.

Guides for local climbing companies have been assisting park rangers with the rescue.

International Mountain Guides had eight climbing clients and four guides at Camp Muir, while Rainier Mountaineering Inc. had 15 clients and a handful of guides there Tuesday. Both companies said their employees and clients were doing well, but hunkered down awaiting better weather.

"I do know it was a tough night up there for the weather, just because of what they were forecasting - high winds and low visibility and snow," said Jeff Martin, RMI operations manager. "Definitely not your typical June weather."

The bodies of two other hikers were found in California's Sierra Nevada backcountry last week.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Lt. Les Lovell said an autopsy performed Tuesday revealed that 70-year-old Thomas Hylton died of a heart of attack on June 2, the day he and 78-year-old Jerome Smith set out for a four-day backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness just west of Lake Tahoe.

Smith left for help after his friend collapsed but fell down a hillside on his way back to the highway. The sheriff's office said he died from his injuries and exposure to the chilly overnight temperature.

The men's families reported them missing Thursday when they failed to return home to Lincoln, a bedroom community north of Sacramento.

[one-american]

"After a winter of heavy snowfall that forced repeated closure of mountain passes, unseasonably cold conditions have continued long into spring in Washington''s Cascade Range."

Al Gore''s man-made global warming does not exist in Washington State.

[haoli25]

Darwin claims another trophy.

[ubrew12]

One-American said: "Al Gore''''s man-made global warming does not exist in Washington State."

Way to confuse global heating with global warming.

[cfin5]

Al Gore''''s man-made global warming does not exist in Washington State.

Posted by One-American at 07:53 PM : Jun 10, 2008.....or any other place for that matter. He knows we''re going into a cooling cycle and wants his patented ideas implemented ASAP so as to make it look like he saved us just in time......my hero,....COUGH!

[incog-nito]

cfin5: Tell that to McCain. He has embraced the concept of global warming and the need to fight it. Or is he just flip-flopping?

[cfin5]

cfin5: Tell that to McCain. He has embraced the concept of global warming and the need to fight it. Or is he just flip-flopping?

Posted by incog-nito at 09:40 PM : Jun 10, 2008-----Senator McCain''t is a demopublican,.....he''s a fish all right. I''m for RON PAUL.

[dnamj]

Global climate change is a fact. Just because we had a late spring storm in Washington doesn''t negate record temperatures, droughts, tornadoes, and crop failures everywhere else.

As for people who go unprepared for winter weather, which can occur any day of the year on Mount Rainier, too bad. They gambled with their lives, and at least one of them lost. They''ll be charged for the rescue, by the way.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by dnamj at 10:26 PM

Don''t bother explaining it to them. If Limbaugh tells them the sky is yellow, by George its yellow.

[oneworldusa]

Two 70-something men go on a hike to ''Desolation Wilderness'' and do not return.

Anyone see the irony in that?

[tootall10142]

There is thing called NOAA weather radio DUH!If you can see the dial at70 something .not the sharpest tool in the box.

[toldyouso12]

This is very sad. My condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones and also much thought and cheer to the people and families who have survivors.

As for global warming--it causes erratic weather patterns that trend toward extremes like cold when it should be warm, too hot when it should be temperate, wet when it should be dry--as weather patterns shift and try to adjust to the changes in the different air streams. After a while, the changes such as a lot of rain, causes floods, undermines land and causes sinkholes and could have an effect on the actual earth surface. All these rainy days and floods are the most dangerous due to the fields being flooded. Crops are either lost or stunted--meaning there will be a lot less food this year. that with higher gas prices will make the price soar--So far this year, we have had less than 3 weeks of sunny days in plantable weather. I am in Kansas. I go to Iowa frequently. Many fields are under water or the crops which should already be knee high or just a few inches--and now with this new bout of rain--those are gone too. Global warming does not mean we are headed toward warmer weather--the paradox of that term is that it promotes unpredictable weather patterns and can promote cooling trends.

[dobbershome]

Don''t mess with mother nature unless your prepared for the worst. Stupidity is what happened here.

[jetlizhan]

you would think after living 70+ years, you would have learned something. so senseless - sorry, but very hard to feel sorry for such stupidity.

[acolton1]

I grew up in the North West and these IDIOTS who go Mountain Climbing either were completely STUPID and did not check the weather or just went anyway reguardless of the snow forcast. Either way THESE IDIOTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THEIR RESCUE IT''S NOT THE TAX PAYERS JOB TO SAVE IDIOTS WHO DISREGUARD the Weather Forcast and get Stuck and need Rescue. Apparently their Parents raised them with no common sence and were completely White Trash they raided IDIOTS who grew up to be White Trash Idiot Adults. THEY NEED TO PAY FOR THE RESCUE.

[acolton1]

I have no sympathy for this story.

[gopsoccermom]

God allowed the copter to find the hikers because they were praying. Otherwise all would have been lost.

[petesis]

Pretty pathetic, a bunch of keyboard warriors complaining about a 70 year old and a 78 year old or these other folks out there in the great outdoors risking life and limb, doing what many of us only wish we could do. Don''t give yourselves carpal tunnel syndrome with your beotching.

[questionnews]

God allowed the copter to find the hikers because they were praying. Otherwise all would have been lost.

Posted by gopsoccermom at 11:26 AM : Jun 11, 2008

Christ almighty. I throw up in my mouth every time you post. Your train of logic is constantly stalled at the station. Even if you want to stagger down the bible path on this one, it had nothing to do with prayer but "god''''s will". Much like it was "god''''s will" to let two little girls get shot to death yesterday on an Oklahoma country road. Don''''t let religion keep you from using your brain.

Posted by matvei1107 at 11:37 AM : Jun 11, 2008

You reacted just as gopsoccermom intended. He/she (don''t the mom part fool you) posts these types of statements because it always gets people riled up. Don''t take the bait unless you like playing the part of the fool in his/her production of "Fish On!!"

[eggy1620]

I completely disagree with gopsoccermom. God inflicted this tragedy upon them because their age demographic and area of residence promotes gay values.

[jncc1701]

Christ almighty - are you people that dense? did you read the part that said

"High winds and low visibility and snow... Definitely not your typical June weather."

Being on a mountain changes weather patterns and does so quickly - even if they had the weather report it would not have helped them since high winds and snow can come out of no where. This kind of unpredictable weather is not typical in June.
But these are human beings that are being morned by their families -
who the hell made you people judge and jury.

[perceptions5]

This wouldn''t have happened if we had better Global Warming............would it?

And how is it that Washington is STILL getting snow in June?

.........yeah..........global warming, got it.

[questionnews]

This wouldn''''t have happened if we had better Global Warming............would it?

And how is it that Washington is STILL getting snow in June?

.........yeah..........global warming, got it.

Posted by perceptions5 at 12:03 PM : Jun 11, 2008

Careful. Telling some people that you are not fully convinced that man is causing global warming is like telling singinrick that God doesn''t exist. You are messing with thier Holy Grail.

[acolton1]

Posted by gopsoccermom at 11:26 AM : Jun 11, 2008

GOPSOCCERMOM, STOP GIVING GOD CREDIT FOR STUFF it''s called FAIT, God does not control everything because that is a lot of stuff to control, Thousands and Thousands of Galaxys, Billions and Billions of STARS, Trillions of Planets and Commets and Asteroids.

God has better thinks to do then help some IDIOTS stuck on the Mountain. God sent them up there in the first place because they were stupid and wanted them to all die.

[acolton1]

GOPSOCCERMOM.

God does not control mother nature. Your an Idiot.

[questionnews]

GOPSOCCERMOM.

God does not control mother nature. Your an Idiot.

Posted by acolton1 at 12:19 PM : Jun 11, 2008

GOPSOCCERMOM hooks another one!!! Fish On!!

[jankebenz]

The story says the three hikers were "experienced". Planning a "day" trek to an elevation of 10,000 ft., in early june without adequate survival gear is not of experience.

[pat1967-2009]

GOPSOCCERMOM.

Back under your bridge, TROLL!

[ibzjem]

actually...

it''s FATE, not FAIT.

[mjm121]

The story says the three hikers were "experienced". Planning a "day" trek to an elevation of 10,000 ft., in early june without adequate survival gear is not of experience.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jankebenz at 12:52 PM : Jun 11, 2008


Two feet of snow is tough to prepare for. Not saying they were fully prepared...but that could catch anyone off gaurd. The mountains in the NW are pretty unforgiving...

[mjm121]

GOPSOCCERBITCH is just that. She likes to push buttons...would probably be best to just let her say what she wants...then she can go back to being a moron...

[ponco seno]

who is paying for this?

[juliemd]

Even God can''t and doesn''t F#$% with Mother Nature! Free Will and Weather Rules!!!

[gopsoccermom]

eggy1620, I would be in complete agreement with you if they had died.

[michellem99-2009]

We live in Seattle and it is colder than normal. Saw it on the TV. It happens that it is different in the mountains than low lands. So the mountains are pretty but treat them with respect. Sadly this does happen. I will say this. Those passes should not been open knowing the cold/bad weather. It was not safe. Carry gps in the mountains cell don''t work. It is not this cold here in June. I been here since 1999.

[rowdywicca]

How sad. Condolences to the family on their loss!

[michellem99-2009]

Vince just opened the door to go outside and I just checked KIRO TV site and at this posting it is 52 but feels colder. The wind. I did not grow up here but It is cold. One day it is warm the next chilly. I dress for the cold as if it warms up I can remove my jacket and carry it. ''member the weather she change.

[iflash220]

why aren''t the climbers,hikers and day tripper''s required to post a deposit for their rescue if needed. if they don''t need to be rescued, they get their money back.
far to many "experienced" people needing to be rescued.

[hoseobama]

"The story says the three hikers were "experienced". Planning a "day" trek to an elevation of 10,000 ft., in early june without adequate survival gear is not of experience. - Posted by jankebenz

As someone that knows this hike, I''m telling you people do it as a day hike. Camp Muir (10,000 ft) is a kick off point where most that climb Rainier leave from very early in the AM. Some just go up there to see the facilities.

Right now, we are experiencing very cold weather in Washington State. However, even the most experienced get surprised by this mountain that makes its own weather.

[sgtrds-e4]

Send them a bill.

[jw218389]

The Bush Administration will bill them for the $43,000 worth of fuel they used (200 gallons).

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!!!!!!

[rushlimpdrug]

God allowed the copter to find the hikers because they were praying. Otherwise all would have been lost.
Posted by gopsoccermom at 11:26 AM


Yeah, but the devil put the mountain there.

So who wins?