Updates 1/15/2013:
** Search and Rescue workers located the two men, one injured, and transported them by foot to their command post near Alpental. The injured skier was transported by sled. The hike was predicted to last 4 hours. **
10:45PM: Q13 News reported KCSAR “were carrying out an injured back-country skier who fell at the 4,800-foot level and injured his left ankle and wrist…” They said he was one of two people back-country skiing when the incident happened.
10:30PM: Kiro News tweeted that an injured back-country skier is okay and being carried to command post.
For any of you hearing helicopters in the Snoqualmie Valley area Tuesday, January 15th:
King County Search and Rescue (KCSAR) tweeted late January 15th, that there were injured climbers at Chair Peak near Snoqualmie Pass. Apparently Guardian 2 helicopter attempted a rescue, but was turned back by high winds in the area.
Two back country-skiers were involved in the incident, with one injuring his ankle and wrist. They called for help by cell phone around 6:30PM.
According to SummitPass.org, “Chair Peak is an easy access day climb located amongst the ‘Snoqualmie Peaks’ a stone’s throw (2 miles) away from Denny Mountain, the top of Alpental Ski Resort. With grandeur and a short approach, it is one of the most popular in the area.” It has an elevation of 6238 ft.
King County Search and Rescue said, “Packout means a long cold night.”
There is a temperature inversion currently occurring in the higher mountain pass elevations, though. Summit at Snoqualmie Ski Resort Marketing Director, Guy Lawrence, commented, “At least there’s an inversion. It might help as they’re possibly out of the coldest temps. 36 degrees right now at 5400.”
You can monitor the latest weather conditions at Alpental and at specific elevations on the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center website.
