Stuck snowboarders to spend another night on Mt. Rainier
LONGMIRE, Wash. -- Two snowboarders stranded on Mount Rainier are spending another night on the mountain.
Dozens of searchers on Monday tried to reach the snowboarders, who got lost on Mount Rainier during a snowstorm. However, they could not reach the men before having to come down themselves.
Rescuers planned to resume the rescue operation in the morning.
The two men, 20 and 21, called 911 around 4:30 p.m. Sunday evening asking for help amid blizzard conditions, officials said.
"They didn't know where they were exactly and didn't have a map or a compass so they were making the best of it for the night," said Roger Beckett with Olympic Search and Rescue, who were also called in to assist.
Conditions were too poor to send out rescuers Sunday night so the snowboarders were told to hunker down.
Daylight Monday brought good news as the snowboarders were able to call rescuers again indicating they had made it through the night and were still in good condition, said Kevin Bacher with Mt. Rainier National Park. Weather conditions had also improved.
At first light, 28 searchers set out to reach the men. Bacher was optimistic they had a good idea where the men were based on tracing their cell signal and landmarks the men were able to relay through the fog.
"We believe they are somewhere up around McClure Rock, which is about 7,500 feet up to Camp Muir and that is where we are starting our search," Bacher said.
He added the snowboarders did have day gear with them but did not have any night gear.
Dozens of searchers on Monday tried to reach the snowboarders, who got lost on Mount Rainier during a snowstorm. However, they could not reach the men before having to come down themselves.
Rescuers planned to resume the rescue operation in the morning.
The two men, 20 and 21, called 911 around 4:30 p.m. Sunday evening asking for help amid blizzard conditions, officials said.
"They didn't know where they were exactly and didn't have a map or a compass so they were making the best of it for the night," said Roger Beckett with Olympic Search and Rescue, who were also called in to assist.
Conditions were too poor to send out rescuers Sunday night so the snowboarders were told to hunker down.
Daylight Monday brought good news as the snowboarders were able to call rescuers again indicating they had made it through the night and were still in good condition, said Kevin Bacher with Mt. Rainier National Park. Weather conditions had also improved.
At first light, 28 searchers set out to reach the men. Bacher was optimistic they had a good idea where the men were based on tracing their cell signal and landmarks the men were able to relay through the fog.
"We believe they are somewhere up around McClure Rock, which is about 7,500 feet up to Camp Muir and that is where we are starting our search," Bacher said.
He added the snowboarders did have day gear with them but did not have any night gear.
Given the recent tragedy among the rescuers at Mt Rainer I'll bet rescuers are taking every precaution.
OK folks. Basic rules: you go for a day, plan for a night. Or two. Learn how to build a snow cave. Carry matches ad something to start a fire. Do not trust in your cell phone (yes, it is the 21st Century, but we do not have cell phone reception everywhere).Carry food.
Last: praying for a good resolution to this. I don't like sad outcomes. Hope they are located early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Or the snowboarders are able to come down themselves.
Bummer. If they couldn't reach them today, how will they reach them tomorrow? Time for plan B. Start walking toward the rescuers. Are they hurt?
 @Lips Up to the point where you are (literally) deciding between death and trying to make it out on your own, you are ALWAYS better off staying put. Search grids are set up presuming stationary targets.Â
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Given that they're using cell phone signal to attempt to triangulate, they could (conceivably) narrow it down to a couple of square miles. The boarders may have another cold night, or lose a toe or finger to frostbite, but if they move is complicates the search process exponentially.Â
 @MarkKpic Doesn't sound like they're actually lost. Sounds like they're on Mclure Rock. I completely agree with staying put when you are. I also think they made the right choice when they chose to stay put during the blizzard and as nightfall approached. I don't know their level of experience, however, if searchers can't make it to them, they made need to think about making it to the rescuers. Each night without night gear and food, will double in intensity. S&R will most likely reach them today, so it's probably moot. I personally, would set a limit on how long until I try to save myself, and it wouldn't be after I'm too weak to do it.
 @Lips Seems like they could get further lost that way. The standard advice when lost is to stay put so as to help rescuers locate you & get to you more easily rather than leading them to follow your endlessly continuing lost tracks.
 @whirledworld Not if they can't reach you. Just saying.
"He added the snowboarders did have day gear with them but did not have any night gear."
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Doh!!! Another lesson learned. It's amazing kids make it to middle age.
Lucky for them they got a signal where there were. Â Hope they make it out ok!
We are (quite literally) days into the 'snow sports' season.... Not a good omen.Â
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I'm not familiar enough with Mr Rainier to know, but is the area out of bounds?
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I would renew my call for them to be required to pay (at least a portion) of the S & R costs associated with the rescue if so.Â
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It's one thing for someone hiking a trail to get turned around, or lose track of time. When someone knowingly, intentionally, takes themselves into harms way and then needs to be rescued? IMO, there should be repercussions.Â
 @MarkKpic My understanding is that usually S & R is all volunteer.
 @whirledworld True, but there are generally costs associated with the organization and coordination efforts through local Sheriff or State Police.Â
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Again, I do recognize that sometimes stuff happens. People do legitimately get turned around, or disoriented. And, I also have no idea if these people were knowingly/intentionally out of bounds.Â
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My only point is that sooner or later, someone has to bring the reality to bear on people that not everyone is ready for a Warren Miller film. Just because 'that fresh powder on that bluff looks epic', doesn't mean that it's a good idea to hike out to it.Â
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i don't get it. did they run out of snow or something?
Can't they download the compass Android app on their phone and use it to get down? Oh wait maybe they are apple fans...
 @FreedomRocks you are assuming one of them has and can afford a smart phone.
 @FreedomRocksÂ
Apple has a compass built in in the maps program and it is in 3D which would show them cliffs and valleys and where not to go.
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More tha likely they don't have a smart phone of there isn't enough towers to triangulate a position.
Or just give the GPS coordinates to the searches again from one of the many free google apps. Also they could take and message a photo to the searches and get the imbedded location information.