Rescue on Pyramid Peak

[Dan_Miller]

Found this today (03/28/07) on the NPS Daily Ranger Report:

I guess I'm a little surprised that we're not already discussing it.

 

North Cascades National Park, WA

Climbers Rescued From Pyramid Peak

 

On Sunday, March 25th, two climbers were rescued through the combined efforts of rangers, volunteers from Bellingham and Skagit Mountain Rescue, and personnel from Whidbey Naval Air Station. The call for help came in to the National Park Service on Friday, but the effort to extract the two men from steep and difficult terrain was hampered by a storm that dropped tremendous amounts of rain across western Washington over the weekend. The party of four men from Everett and Lynnwood set out to climb Pyramid Peak on Wednesday, March 21st. By Friday, they’d abandoned their climbing goal and attempted a shortcut descent, deviating from their ascent route. This led to trouble, as the group encountered steep terrain on the slopes above Diablo Lake. Two members made it out on their own Friday night and reported to a park ranger that they had left two other members stranded, one with a leg fracture. The reporting pair were both treated for mild hypothermia. Saturday’s efforts to reach the two men were limited by heavy rainfall and poor visibility. A helicopter flight to locate them was attempted but aborted due to visibility concerns. On Sunday, a ground team of park rangers and volunteers reached the climbers and prepared them for evacuation. Whidbey Naval Air Station search and rescue helicopter Firewood 21 hoisted Micha Berg, 22, of Lynnwood from the mountain on Sunday afternoon during a break in the weather. Rangers escorted his partner out by ground. Limited access, avalanche hazards and dangerous weather make attempts to climb the bigger peaks in the North Cascades infrequent during the winter. “It is unusual for park rangers to have a rescue this time of year,” explained Kelly Bush, park search and rescue coordinator. “Just as we see fewer backcountry travelers in the winter, resources – including rescue personnel capable of working in technical terrain under harsh conditions – are limited in the off-season . . . but it was also the winter snowpack, poor visibility and limited daylight that forced the injured and exhausted men to spend two nights in miserable weather awaiting rescue.” Bush also commented that “shortcuts” in the North Cascades often lead to trouble. [submitted by Charlie Beall, Public Affairs Officer]

 

 

 

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Glad to hear everyone is ok.

[G-spotter]

A Happy Ending Everybody lives. No call for MLUs.

What route were they trying?

And how dare the NPS call it "winter" when winter ended on the 20th

[chucK]

Awesome . I echo above previous comments...and

 

Bush also commented that “shortcuts” in the North Cascades often lead to trouble.

 

sage advice

[Weekend_Climberz]

Sounds like they made the right choices. Most of the shortcuts I take always lead to trouble. I've since learned to eliviate the shortcuts :tup:

[skykilo]

Similarly, "ski cuts" can lead to wild rides on the magic carpet.

 

"Shortcuts" and "ski cuts": Just say no.

[Mr_Phil]

You guys sound like a bunch of mounties marching nuts-to-butts down the trail.

[G-spotter]

It's funny that a ranger in the North Cascades is named Bush.

It'd be like having a ranger in the SW named Cactus.

[Bug]

Actually, the analogy would be more precise if his name was Moss.

 

Glad they made it out alive. Hope the leg heals quickly.

[jhamaker]

"No, James, we don't have time for a shortcut." - Steve Townsend

[Alex]

Actually, the analogy would be more precise if his name was Moss.

 

Or her name, in this case...

[Winter]

Or maybe Choss

[catbirdseat]

"No, James, we don't have time for a shortcut." - Steve Townsend

:grin:Ain't that the truth?

[John Frieh]

Does anybody know if any of the party posts here or what route they were attempting?

[Stefan]

Leg fracture! Ouch!

 

I am happy they got out!