mountrainier.jpg
Rescuers have reached two snowboarders stranded on Mount Rainier and the group is now making its way down the mountain.(KIRO Radio file)

Snowboarders stuck on Mount Rainier finally off mountain

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on November 12, 2012 @ 8:19 pm (Updated: 6:29 pm - 11/13/12 )

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Two snowboarders stranded for several days on Mount Rainier slowly made their way back to safety with deep snow slowing their return.

The two snowboarders, Derek Tyndall, 21, and Thomas Dale, 20 finally made it off the mountain with the help of rescue crews around 4 p.m.

The snowboarders didn't appear to have frostbite or other injuries when rescuers reached them around 11 a.m., spokeswoman Lee Snook said.

Snook said the group is descending the mountain on snowshoes.

Six five-member teams went out Tuesday morning. Each was led by a ranger. Team members included mountain rescue volunteers from Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia.

The snowboarders were spotted by rescue crews on Monday. But they were unable to reach them before darkness and weather forced them back.

Snook said the rescuers had to take turns "swimming" through snow 2 to 4 feet deep. She said difficult conditions and avalanche danger slowed the rescue effort.

"It's chest high snow, so just breaking trail to get to the area will be difficult," Snook said. "They're taking their time and making sure they're aware of where each team is at so they don't trigger an avalanche onto another group."

Rescue crews headed toward the spot near McClure Rock where the two men were spotted Monday. Rescuers and the snowboarders had been within a half-mile and waving at each other.

Tyndall and Dale first called for help from a cell phone Sunday when they got lost in a descent from Camp Muir during a heavy snow storm. The men said they had a compass, phones, and winter gear, but nothing for spending the night.

There was contact via cell phone Monday morning. Besides being cold the two men reported they were in good condition. Further contact by cell phone was not possible.

More than two dozen people tried to reach them on Monday. But fresh snow and darkness led the search to be called back until morning. There was little snowfall overnight Monday.

The snowboarders were able to give the climbers a good idea of where they were stuck by describing nearby landmarks.

KIRO Radio's Brandi Kruse and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
Straight from the newsdesk.
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Comments (13)


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  • shark75 wrote...
    Isn’t it wise to check the weather forecast before going up on a killer mountain?
    November 12, 2012 3:10 pm
    If these morons are rescued they should be billed for the cost of looking for their dumb a*sses.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mochamint16 wrote...
    You have no right AT ALL!
    November 13, 2012 4:34 am
    There is absolutely NO reason for you to badtalk someone who is in trouble. Do you think that the forecast is always correct when it comes to blizzards and whiteout conditions? NO. So instead of talking bad about some younger men who ran into some issues, why don't you think about what the family and friends are going through. If it was you, you wouldn't want someone to call you a "du*mb a*ss" if you got lost. So instead of posting something inconsiderate that the family will see, why don't you keep it to yourself. Keep your stupid comments to yourself. MORON!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    not looking good
    November 12, 2012 3:15 pm
    with the early narrowing of their location they are likely found by now. the only possible reason for this long delay of media update would unfortunatey be to notify friends and family of their passing before making a public statement. really hope i am wrong on this.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    WOO HOO!
    November 12, 2012 4:11 pm
    Sounds like they've been found safe! Way to go S&R! It only takes one rescue mission like this to make all your hard work and training pay off. Two young men will now get 65 year extensions on their lives. Well done.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    how come tony minor said they found the kids safely a couple hours ago?
    November 12, 2012 6:16 pm
    but no one else is reporting it? weird.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    doris monson play by play . . . .
    November 13, 2012 6:04 am
    2 funny!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bellabear wrote...
    Remember these are Sons, Brothers and friends.....
    November 13, 2012 8:06 am
    They may not have been prepared like they should have been, but those who say they are "stupid" have no idea what you are talking about. These are human beings whose friends and famly have stayed up all night wondering if they will ever see their faces again. Show some compassion. I know that is difficult for some.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    This is incredibly risky behavior
    November 13, 2012 8:47 am
    Sure, the families will be happy to see their boys back, or devastated if they dont survive. But seriously I dont get why people feel the desire to stare death in the face and then expect others to put themselves in danger to save their arse when it goes awry. I get a ticket when I drive 8 miles over the speed limit (because it's so dangerous!), but these guys will get hugs and who knows what else for being foolish. At the very least their rescue cost should be compensated with community service.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DonVigo wrote...
    As a very avid snowboarder...
    November 13, 2012 10:44 am
    If it's anything like an out-of-bounds rescue at a resort, they'll be getting a bill. And as much as I can empathyze for someone getting in over their heads in this sport, I only offer my sympathy for anyone who decides to be judgemental towards these couple of guys who got caught up. To lead the kind of life that would lead you to be so uncompassionate towards another person? Yeah, I'm happy not to be so personally unhappy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    Uncompassionate?
    November 13, 2012 1:06 pm
    I have all the compassion in the world for people who suffer from consequences that are no fault of their own. My compassion stops when people choose thrills over all else. Sure, I did some dumb things in my 20's and even some in my 30's, but not once would I have expected compassion for my lack of forward-thinking.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Mochamint and Bellabear wrote...
    November 13, 2012 11:47 am
    I dont give a rats a*ss who they are and I'll bad talk all I want. I'm sick and tired of money and resources going to help these people without the expectation they pay it back when they are the ones that put themselves in that situation. Skrew you mochamint! They had plenty of opportunities to back out when they were on their way up the mountain. They deserve whatever they get...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    question 4 them . . . .
    November 13, 2012 2:15 pm
    visa or master card?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Glad they are safe. Way to go Rescue Team!.
    November 13, 2012 6:01 pm
    People get hurt lost and caught in bad conditions. Thanks to the real Heros that bring them home Safe. Thank You!!.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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