Hiker Stuck at 5,000 feet: Snoqualmie Pass Cliffside Helicopter Rescue gets National Attention

The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team’s (HRT) video of their dramatic extraction of a stranded hiker clinging to the steep side of Chair Peak at Snoqualmie Pass is making national news, being featured on Good Morning America this July 4th.

On Monday evening, June 20, 2014, the rescue team from Snohomish County responded to Snoqualmie Pass in SnoHawk 10 after receiving an assistance request from the King County Sheriff’s Office. A hiker had called 911 after becoming “cliffed out” and stranded above Melakwa Lake.

According the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team’s social media report, the stranded hiker was told rescue teams were en route, but it would be hours until they could reach him. The hiker feared he wouldn’t be able to hold on until then, as he was at the 5,000 foot level of the very steep mountain side.

SnoHawk 10 located the hiker’s position and then landed in the upper Alpental Ski Area parking lot to gear up of for the tricky rescue. Search and rescue crews were able to successfully hoist the stranded hiker using the Strop extraction technique and brought the hiker to safety around 8:30PM.

The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team responds to emergency situations because of the nature of the injury or due to inaccessible terrain, bringing in life-saving equipment, rescue personnel and paramedics.  They conduct 80+ missions in Washington each year.

Monday’s entire helicopter rescue at Chair Peak was filmed by a camera attached to the helmet of search and rescue volunteer.  You can see the video HERE.

Stranded hiker clings to steep west side of Chair Peak near Snoqualmie Pass on June 20, 2014.  Photo: Screenshot Snohomish Co. Helicopter Rescue team video.
Stranded hiker clings to steep west side of Chair Peak near Snoqualmie Pass on June 20, 2014. Photo: Screenshot Snohomish Co. Helicopter Rescue team video.

 

 

 

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Comments

  • There is something wrong with this picture. Why is there no name for this individual? Where is he from? From the git-go; how did he get into this position? Many things do not compute.
    Nelson Briefer- Anacortes

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