Rescue crews lead lost snowboarders off Mt. Rainier
SEATTLE -- Two snowboarders that became lost in a blizzard on Mt. Rainier are home safe Tuesday after being rescued earlier in the day.
Derek Tyndall, 21, and Thomas Dale, 20, were lost in a snowstorm Sunday when they were descending from a camp about 10,000 feet up. They used a cellphone to call 911 and said they were digging a snow cave for protection.
"The weather changed and we thought one thing looked like where we went and looped around, took too hard a left and put us in the middle of a 3-stage cliff," Tyndall said.
They weren't equipped to stay overnight, however they checked in Monday morning before their cellphone died, saying they were cold and wet, but OK.
"The scariest moment was waking up the next morning being like, we are soaking wet, this is not good," Dale said.
The men were only a few miles from the Paradise ranger station, but "it's not a straight shot" and conditions were treacherous, with snow up to 4 feet deep, said Lee Snook with Mt. Rainier National Park. Rescuers decided the two could snowshoe out with them, and the group began the trek to the station, which is at the 5,400-foot level.
Rescuers spotted the pair Monday at about the 7,000-foot level below McClure Rock on the lower Paradise glacier. They were about a half-mile from the two - close enough to wave - but were forced back by nightfall and dangerous conditions.
Thirty rescuers working in five-member teams went out Tuesday through snow 2- to 4-feet deep, Snook said. It was so soft members had to take turns "swimming through the snow" to break a trail.
It took searchers about two hours to reach the men from the Paradise ranger station, and they were back at the station before nightfall.
"(Our) toes are a little cold still, but it's mind over matter," Tyndall said.
Derek Tyndall, 21, and Thomas Dale, 20, were lost in a snowstorm Sunday when they were descending from a camp about 10,000 feet up. They used a cellphone to call 911 and said they were digging a snow cave for protection.
"The weather changed and we thought one thing looked like where we went and looped around, took too hard a left and put us in the middle of a 3-stage cliff," Tyndall said.
They weren't equipped to stay overnight, however they checked in Monday morning before their cellphone died, saying they were cold and wet, but OK.
"The scariest moment was waking up the next morning being like, we are soaking wet, this is not good," Dale said.
The men were only a few miles from the Paradise ranger station, but "it's not a straight shot" and conditions were treacherous, with snow up to 4 feet deep, said Lee Snook with Mt. Rainier National Park. Rescuers decided the two could snowshoe out with them, and the group began the trek to the station, which is at the 5,400-foot level.
Rescuers spotted the pair Monday at about the 7,000-foot level below McClure Rock on the lower Paradise glacier. They were about a half-mile from the two - close enough to wave - but were forced back by nightfall and dangerous conditions.
Thirty rescuers working in five-member teams went out Tuesday through snow 2- to 4-feet deep, Snook said. It was so soft members had to take turns "swimming through the snow" to break a trail.
It took searchers about two hours to reach the men from the Paradise ranger station, and they were back at the station before nightfall.
"(Our) toes are a little cold still, but it's mind over matter," Tyndall said.
the guy on the right is HOT
dude, we're, like going snowboarding tomorrow
Man, looking at their cute smiling faces made my day! Glad they were rescued. ;-)
Kudos to the rescuers who risked their own safety to rescue these two young men.
People will never learn that the Mountains here are dangerous.
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No major Stoners would look at the peak from the parking lot and say, what idiot would try to go there?
 @swede760 But...but...they're so light and fluffy! How could they be dangerous??? ;-P
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One would think that so many others having paid the price would be a lesson to all, but unfortunately, wisdom and intelligence isn't necessarily a common trait in humans.
 @Mikey Those who ignore History are Doomed to repete it.
Very happy to hear that everyone is safe; hopefully, they will ALL soon be off the mountain and headed for home..!
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These are 2 incredibly fortunate young men, due in no small part to the 30 rescuers who put their own lives at risk in this venture... Hopefully, Mr Tyndall and Mr Dale have learned some valuable lessons from this experience...
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These idiots were lucky and hopefully learned a lesson. It could have gone bad for them in which case we could have used their situation as an object lesson for others on why it pays to be prepared and the results of not being prepared.
Gee raphy, these humans are just not as perfect as you. From day one you did everything right. All the people around you did everthing wrong. I bet you're happy knowing everyone around you were idiots except you. I must be tuff being perfect ralphy.
 @usa2swimpattycrabbyÂ
I did my share of stupid things and you know what? I agreed that they were stupid right after I did them. Remember that I grew up when personal responsibility was taught in schools, at home, and from most adults.
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Even when I got busted by the cops I just admitted my crime and was sentenced to jail. There was no need to plead not guilty. I knew I did the crime and now it was time for me to do the time.
they are very very Lucky!
They should send some real Army Rangers in for a little training exercise.
@Icarus It would be more appropriate to send the 10th Mountain Division over the Rangers.