Hikers Rescue Washington Woman in the Enchantments

A 36-year-old Eastern Washington woman was found shivering and unable to stand or see after her blood sugar and blood pressure dropped unexpectedly during an Oct. 18 outing in the Enchantments. The avid trail runner, who is hypoglycemic, had completed the route four times since August. She had been sitting near a tree for roughly 20 to 30 minutes when nine hikers, temporarily off course about 11 miles into their trek, spotted her.

The group included Whitworth University students, friends, a onetime Cascade Christian High School track coach and the coach’s son, Justin Timothy, a firefighter certified in rope rescue. After providing salt and water, they transmitted an SOS through a satellite communicator. Timothy then directed them in building a stretcher from hiking poles, ropes and waterproof bivies. Although rescuers later told them to remain at the top, the hikers continued toward Snow Lake because they were concerned about the cold and how quickly medics could arrive. Other people encountered during the descent helped carry the stretcher across rocky terrain near steep drops.

The woman improved enough to walk the remaining 3 miles to Snow Lake. A helicopter arrived there with medics and Chelan County sheriff’s deputies, taking her to safety and a reunion with her husband. The sheriff’s office recommends that people requesting rescue remain in place where a helicopter can land and use a satellite communicator when cellular coverage is unreliable. Washington Trails Association spokesperson Jessi Loerch said colder mountain weather makes checking conditions and carrying the 10 essentials especially important. Solo hikers should also tell someone their route and expected return time.