Hiker Rescued from Avalanche in Washington State's Olympic National Forest
Authorities in Washington state's Olympic National Forest successfully rescued a hiker who had fallen more than 1,200 feet down an avalanche on Mt. Ellinor over the weekend. The 30-year-old man was discovered at the base of a large avalanche runout, where he was found suffering from symptoms of hypothermia, a broken arm, and significant abrasions.
The rescue operation was carried out by the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, who responded promptly to the emergency. The hiker was airlifted to safety and transported to a nearby medical facility for further treatment.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that hikers can face in treacherous mountainous terrain. It also highlights the importance of being prepared and taking necessary precautions when engaging in outdoor activities.
Read more about the hiker's rescue on Mt. Ellinor.
After an extensive search near the summit of Mt. Ellinor, the search and rescue team decided to move to lower ground. The Naval Air Station reported that the rescuers began searching for the hiker at the base of a large avalanche runout, which extended approximately 1,000 feet down the slope from the peak of the mountain. During this phase of the search, the crew members noticed a flashing light in a boulder field just below the runout.
They found the hiker in a precarious location that was susceptible to further avalanches or rockfalls, so the rescue operation was conducted swiftly. The rescuers lifted him into their helicopter and transported him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
The Naval Air Station Whidbey Island search and rescue crews have carried out a total of 44 missions in 2023, which include six searches, four medical evacuations, and 33 rescues overall.
Recently, a complex rescue mission was performed by crews from Oregon after a woman named Leah Brown fell hundreds of feet while hiking on Mt. Hood. The incident occurred during a treacherous glacier climb on the mountain's South Side. The rescue mission involved multiple agencies and took approximately seven hours to complete. Leah Brown expressed her gratitude for the efforts of the rescue teams and shared her survival story in an interview with CBS affiliate KOIN.
