2 hikers airlifted from Mt. Ellinor after fall in avalanche chute
Feb 16, 2026, 8:45 AM | Updated: 3:07 pm
A photo of the Mason County Sheriff's Office at Mt. Ellinor to rescue the two patients. (Photo courtesy of the Mason County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo courtesy of the Mason County Sheriff's Office)
A 51-year-old woman and a teenage male were both airlifted from Mt. Ellinor on Sunday after falling in an avalanche chute on the mountain.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was dispatched to reports of a female who had abdominal injuries and internal bleeding after the fall, MCSO announced.
MCSO later determined that a second 16-year-old patient was stuck on the mountain after he attempted to assist the female and injured his knee.
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Mt. Ellinor weather conditions hinder rescue efforts
The King County Sheriff’s Office attempted to access both patients with a Guardian One helicopter, but the weather conditions forced an aborted operation.
Mason County Special Operations Team led the rescue mission alongside Mason County Search & Rescue and Olympicmtnrescue.
Three separate ground teams from each of the combined units worked their way toward the stranded patients.
At 8:56 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was on scene attempting to airlift both patients.
“We ask the public to avoid the area and keep rescue personnel in mind as operations continue in challenging terrain and weather conditions,” MCSO stated.
Both patients were successfully aboard the aircraft at 9:36 p.m.
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