Backcountry Snowboarders found on Mount Rainier

Discussion about Skiing and Snowboarding in the Backcountry.
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Nobody
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Backcountry Snowboarders found on Mount Rainier

Post by Nobody »

Glad they're ok, but these guys were definitely in over their heads. No way I'd be up that high on the mountain without being prepared for an overnight stay. Very lucky that they got a call out from that location on the mountain!
Missing snowboarders found on Mount Rainier late this morning

UPDATE: 11:45 a.m. | Searchers on Mount Rainier located the pair of missing snowboarders about 11 a.m. this morning, after the two spent their second night on the mountain without overnight gear.

Rescue crews said they appeared healthy and had no complaints, said Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Lee Snook. Searchers were giving the two men, both in their early 20s, with warm liquids and trying to figure out the safest way down the mountain.

“They didn’t appear to have any cold-weather issues,” Snook said.

Derek Tyndall, of Sumner, and Thomas Dale, from Indiana, set out Sunday afternoon to snowboard down from Camp Muir but called 911 after blizzard conditions forced them to halt their descent.

They built a snow cave and hunkered down for the night during heavy snows and 70 mph winds. Rescue teams headed up the mountain at first light Monday morning, but going was slowed by 20 inches of fresh, thick snow and high avalanche danger.

Search teams spotted the boarders a half-mile across a ravine just before dark Monday and shouted to them. The two men shouted back, but then darkness and clouds descended and search crews didn’t make contact again.

This morning, six ground rescue teams made up of five searchers each returned to the area near McClure Rock, just below 7,400 feet.

UPDATE: 10:50 a.m. | About 30 search and rescue volunteers led by National Park Service guides continued their search for two missing snowboarders on Mount Rainier this morning, at times pushing through chest-deep snow.

Rescue crews continued their search for Derek Tyndall and Thomas Dale, said Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Lee Snook .

The two men, who are in their early 20s, called for help Sunday afternoon. Tyndall and Dale reported that they had become lost in the storm while descending from Camp Muir. The men had winter gear, a smart phone and a compass, but were not prepared to stay on the mountain overnight, according a Mount Rainier National Park spokesman.

Snook said the men were spotted Monday near Paradise Glacier, which is at about 7,000 feet.

Fresh snow is so deep on Mount Rainier that rescuers have to “swim” through it to make progress, a national park spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The snow hasn’t packed in yet, so the 30 rescuers, working in five-member teams, are pushing to break a trail through treacherous terrain and powder that is chest deep in some places. The work is exhausting and slow, forcing each team member to take turns leading the way, Snook said.

Rescue crews were unable to get to them on Monday, Snook said. Today’s forecast is for precipitation and snow, but Snook said it’s unclear whether rescuers will be battling white out conditions.

The men survived Sunday night after building a snow cave, Snook said. It’s unclear where they stayed Monday night.

Rod Tyndall, the father of one of the missing men, told KING 5 on Monday that “They’ll make it.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind. They’re strong,” l, said. “The guys have gone longer. They had a little water and a little bit of food, is what they told rangers, and they’re together. They’re not separated, so I have no doubt in my mind that makes them stronger as a team to get through it.”

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/201 ... wboarders/
WINTER IS HERE
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n16ht5
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Re: Backcountry Snowboarders found on Mount Rainier

Post by n16ht5 »

Ill prepared but atleast they got out. sounds like they made a poor choice earlier in the day to not turn around early
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