First responders rescued a 67-year-old Ridgefield man who got lost and disoriented in the snow during a hike at Coldwater Lake near Mount St. Helens the night of Feb. 7.
The man was unprepared for the winter weather at the lake, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
“Without rescue efforts, it was very likely the male would not have survived in the harsh conditions,” the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office responded to the search and rescue mission at Coldwater Lake, located 7 miles northwest of Mount St. Helens, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.
The missing hiker had reportedly “become disoriented in the dark and snow” and was unable to navigate his way back, leaving him stuck in heavy snowfall and mid-20s temperatures at 3,200 feet elevation.
“The victim was ill-prepared for the hike, wearing jeans, a flannel and a coat. He did not have food, water or the ability to make shelter,” the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office stated.
The man called his family for assistance, who in turn called Cowlitz County 911.
First responders included the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Unit, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cowlitz Search and Rescue (SAR), Toutle Fire and Rescue and the Washington state Department of Transportation.
Responders used the man’s cellphone data to establish his location and then used a sheriff’s office drone equipped with forward-looking infrared radar to find him.
A deputy at the scene made several phone calls to the subject, checking his status, reassuring him help was on the way and asking him to remain stationary.
While a request for a military helicopter through the state Department of Emergency Management was declined due to weather conditions, responders hiked approximately 1.25 miles in deep snow from the South Coldwater Trailhead to the man’s location.
“He was described as moderately hypothermic; shivering, having difficulty speaking and unable to physically move. SAR was able to provide aid and he was eventually able to hike out with assistance,” the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office stated.
Toutle Fire and Rescue personnel provided the man with medical treatment at the scene before he was released to his son.
Following the incident, Cowlitz County SAR President Jim Peters issued a reminder to winter travelers to keep essential gear in their vehicles in the event they need a lifesaving shelter.
Recommended gear includes extra clothes, good gloves for warming and a set of leather ones for working, a blanket or sleeping bag, water, food, a first aid kit, snow chains, a tarp, a flashlight, a small shovel, a tow strap, an axe, road flares, a fire extinguisher, basic standard tools for the vehicle and a good working jack.
“I know the list can be longer or shorter, depending on your comfort zone, but this works as a minimum,” Peters stated. “So, please, safe travels to and from your adventures, and if you get lost in between, we have a great group of folks in Search and Rescue. Also, when you go out on an adventure, please tell someone your plan and when you plan on coming back; that may save your life. Please don't always rely on your cell phone, especially out in the woods.”
