Lost skier rescued in Olympic National Park
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) - Search and rescue teams have found a missing Port Townsend skier who had become lost in blizzard conditions Saturday afternoon near Hurricane Hill.
Park rangers reached Randy Kraxberger at 1 p.m. Sunday at the summit of Hurricane Hill after skiing several miles through three to four feet of fresh powder snow, said Barb Maynes, a spokeswoman with Olympic National Park.
Kraxberger, 53, had used a cell phone to call his wife Saturday afternoon saying he had become disoriented after clouds rolled in. He then was able to call rangers at a few times Sunday morning from a site near his snow cave.
Kraxberger said he spent Saturday night in a snow cave on the slopes of Hurricane Hill. Despite his unplanned overnight stay, he was in good condition when rescuers reached him. And after some food, he skied back to Hurricane Ridge accompanied by his rescuers.
Krazberger’s wife told KOMO 4 News that he said he was very grateful for the rescue help, and would be making a donation to the volunteer search and rescue groups that rescued him.
Park rangers reached Randy Kraxberger at 1 p.m. Sunday at the summit of Hurricane Hill after skiing several miles through three to four feet of fresh powder snow, said Barb Maynes, a spokeswoman with Olympic National Park.
Kraxberger, 53, had used a cell phone to call his wife Saturday afternoon saying he had become disoriented after clouds rolled in. He then was able to call rangers at a few times Sunday morning from a site near his snow cave.
Kraxberger said he spent Saturday night in a snow cave on the slopes of Hurricane Hill. Despite his unplanned overnight stay, he was in good condition when rescuers reached him. And after some food, he skied back to Hurricane Ridge accompanied by his rescuers.
Krazberger’s wife told KOMO 4 News that he said he was very grateful for the rescue help, and would be making a donation to the volunteer search and rescue groups that rescued him.