Rescue crews face challenges, dangers while searching on Mount Rainier

BY Alyssa Kleven  on January 24, 2012 @ 5:40 pm (Updated: 10:03 pm - 1/25/12 )

Mount_Rainier.jpg
The new and blowing snow makes it difficult for rescue crews to find traces of missing persons. On days like Monday where the clouds part and the snow takes a break, crews can get a bird's eye view from the air. (AP Photo/File) | Zoom
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"When we get out in the mountains we forget how quickly nature can take the upper hand."

Putting rescue crews on Mt. Rainier is a dangerous but necessary job. According to Paul Baugher, head of the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol, the weather conditions not only make it dangerous for those lost on a large mountain like Rainier, but also for the rescue crews.

"You have to consider too, the safety of the rescuers," Baugher told 97.3 KIRO FM's Ron and Don Show. There are currently high avalanche hazards, bad weather conditions and tough travel in the deep snow.

"[It's] a big mountain experience; every bit as much as a McKinley or an Everest trip would be. And we're verifying that right now because we're seeing that there is a storm that has been on Mount Rainier and that's as big as any mountain you'll find."

The new and blowing snow makes it difficult for rescue crews to find traces of missing persons. On days like Monday where the clouds part and the snow takes a break, crews can get a bird's eye view from the air. Breaks like that are often short lived.

"So really what you have to do is cover the last seen areas and work from the there." Other times, said Baugher, you look towards specific drainages a missing person might drop into.

As the weather conditions remain uncertain, crews will face more challenges as they search for four overdue campers and climbers on Rainier.

Chances of finding the four alive on the mountain grew more remote Monday as an intensive search turned up no sign, and another storm approached.

Park officials said a storm prevented a search on Tuesday for the climbers.

Mark Vucich, of San Diego, and Michelle Trojanowski, of Atlanta, were due to return from a snow-camping trip on Jan. 15. Climbers Sork "Erik" Yang, of Springfield, Ore., and Seol Hee Jin, of Korea, were due back from a summit attempt on Jan. 16.

Though Patti Wold told the Associated Press that the park will begin scaling down the operation to a more limited search, Baugher said it's not time to give up hope yet.

"There have been instances where people are prepared," he said. But they would need to be well-prepared climbers, if they have enough provisions, then they would have a chance. As time goes by, according to Baugher, that chance does go down.

Crews will resume a "more focused" search on Wednesday, weather permitting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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Comments (6)


  • Add A Comment

  • rockguy wrote...
    Sign of hope
    January 24, 2012 6:20 pm
    It might be a good idea to send out some sort of high pitched audible signals to give the stranded climbers some sort of hope that rescue is near. Even if it isn't, just hearing something that lets them know that rescuers are out there can be a huge boost that could increase endorfins and keep them alive with hope.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    rock guy
    January 24, 2012 7:10 pm
    hate to tell you this but anyone on rainier right now is rock solid
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rebelnocause wrote...
    make them
    January 24, 2012 7:23 pm
    pay for the rescue if found
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    is michelle related to
    January 24, 2012 11:48 pm
    the raider's kicker? hope they find them ok, but it's starting to look doubtful.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    paul baugher
    January 25, 2012 9:21 am
    every bit as big as everest? i have to respectfully disagree with that. the difference between breathing at 14,000 ft vs. 24,000 feet is not even comparable.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • lazarus wrote...
    Everest dropped as the world highest peak?
    January 25, 2012 12:26 pm
    Everest is 29,035 feet above MSL. I'm also disappointed to see that the King5 censors have deleted all the previous comments associated with the loss of the four climbers. Why? Look some of the comments by the public may be seen as crass or insensitive to the families; however, it may well keep other potential climbers or another family from having to experience the same tragedy. Censoring those missives in hope of sparing the friends and family's feelings is likely useless, and if they're offended perhaps consider changing the channel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }