Around 12:50 p.m. Feb. 19, the Volcano Rescue Team (VRT) was dispatched to a reported avalanche burial near Shoestring Gully, at about 5,800 feet on Mount St. Helens.
The incident involved a group of eight snowmobilers, a VRT news release stated.
Hazard was rated “moderate,” with 2 to 3 feet of recent storm snow at the rescue site. Seven VRT members responded.
Before deployment, the snowmobiling group returned to Marble Mountain SnoPark on their own with the injured man.
He had been fully buried in a slide, with his head roughly 3 feet deep, according to the release.
The snowmobilers located him quickly using a beacon and probe.
His partner began digging by hand, and others joined. They located the backpack quickly, but the subject’s head was deeper and farther downhill. After about 10 minutes, they extricated him; he was unresponsive, apneic and cyanotic. Following three rescue breaths, he showed signs of life.
The subject declined ambulance transport despite strong recommendations.
The VRT reminds residents that moderate hazard does not mean low risk — recent storm snow and terrain above tree line can rapidly elevate avalanche danger.
The VRT also thanked the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office for managing the incident and keeping all parties informed.
Volcano Rescue Team
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