[Snowdog]

Here is article in The Seattle Times about the rescue. Our very own Yana is quoted. I am including the whole article because some may not be able to open a link due to paywall. 2 hikers rescued from Three Fingers Mountain after 20-hour mission in whiteout conditions Oct. 12, 2021 at 7:03 am Updated Oct. 12, 2021 at 8:09 am It took crews 20 hours to rescue two hikers from Three Fingers Mountain on Monday. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office) Seattle Times staff reporter After Monday’s rescue in whiteout conditions of two experienced hikers on Three Fingers Mountain, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit is recommending people wait until next year to make that hike. Two hikers were stranded because of a strong weather system that caused whiteout conditions and heavy snow, making the trail too treacherous for them to continue climbing down, the Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. The 20-hour overnight rescue started around 11 a.m. Sunday, when Search and Rescue received notice from an InReach Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) SOS that was activated near 6,800 feet, the Sheriff’s Office said. A crew was able to locate the two hikers and safely move them down the mountain, bringing them to safety at 7 a.m. Monday. Rescue helicopter SnoHawk10 was launched to take the rescue team to a higher elevation, but weather prevented that. Hours later, SnoHawk10 was able to pick up the Everett Mountain Rescue Unit but could only get them to 3,500 feet due to worsening weather. “The road conditions in this area are deteriorating and it is currently only accessible by 4×4,” the Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. Ground teams hiked for several hours throughout the night in hazardous conditions and heavy snowfall. “Even though it’s just a few inches of snow, it completely transforms the terrain,” said Yana Radenska with Everett Mountain Rescue. “There is very little margin for error and you can get cold very quickly. As we hiked up it just got snowier and icier. Definitely was windy.” Assistance was provided by Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue, Everett Mountain Rescue Unit, Helicopter Rescue Team, Operation Support Unit, SCVSAR 4×4 Team, Seattle Mountain Rescue and Olympic Mountain Rescue. The Sheriff’s Office recommends waiting until next year to complete this hike, and checking weather conditions before leaving. “In the event of an injury or emergency on the mountain, it is estimated to take rescue crews at least a day to be able to access the location due to the current conditions,” the office said. Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @c_clarridge.

[rbuzby]

Beacon activated near 6800 feet. Sounds like they were in the lookout, it snowed, and they didn't want to try going down the ladders in the snow (edit: and ice!).

[Schroder]

Some photos from Snohomish County HRT

[treeswarper]

People need to pay attention to weather forecasts and even then, be ready for it to change.

[dixon]

[jaysway]

I don't want to point too many fingers, but likewise, the weather forecast had been consistent for days beforehand about the weather system coming in and the high probability of snow and low temperatures. Experience in my mind is not just being prepared, but knowing when to turn back or when to skip out on hiking entirely. I don't know how far below the lookout they were when they activated their beacon, but if you know the weather is going to be bad why don't you take a couple of night's provisions into the lookout? You should be able to stay warm and dry in the lookout and wait out the storm. I have to wonder if this trip was planned in advance, or if this weekend was their one bit of free time to do this, and they got stubborn in deciding to go against better judgement? Great job SAR.

[jared_j]

[neek]

I was thinking the same; one outlet even said "very experienced." It's such a nebulous term though that I try not to read too much into it. At least they didn't say "expert". And as a wimpy fair weather hiker I have to admire to some degree those willing to test the boundaries. I'm sure these guys realized they pushed it too far. As always, if others learn from the mistake, it's not all bad.

[Tom]

I'm amazed at what some are able to do in inclement weather. Not knowing all the details it's hard to judge, but good to hear all made it back safe.

[Chief Joseph]

I think what gets many people into trouble is that they make plans and stick to them no matter what, like the young lady likely did who died on the hidden lake trail. I like to be very flexible in my planning and make last minute changes or cancel all together depending upon the expected conditions.

[Anne Elk]

It would be instructive if the reporter (or someone) could do a post-rescue debrief and some details provided (no names) so others could learn from the hikers' mistakes. Too bad Yana no longer contributes here.

[Kim Brown]

SAR does not give any details. No one who has been rescued wants to feel as if they’re being analyzed and put upon – SAR will not be the ones to do that; that is up to hiking forums and commenters on Facebook and news outlets. SAR's schtick is to rescue, and move on to the next souls who need them. Several years ago, someone who had been rescued held a fundraising dinner and a talk about his experience. That was cool, and the money went to SAR or HRT, or a combination of all those volunteer orgs who comprise SAR operations. I don't remember the incident, but the dinner was spaghetti. Not sure what new nugget anyone expects to learn from this or any other rescue, for that matter, except what we (and also people new to hiking) already know, or should know – the same stuff that outdoor organizations, agencies, commercial gear companies, and magazines have been hammering for years and years and years.

[Stefan]

I believe I am/was experienced--I was lost on the Muir snowfield in a complete blizzard.....this was before GPS! Hindsight is 20/20

[Chief Joseph]

[Kim Brown]