Hikers get stuck on 24-mile trek, Washington cops say. How a friend was able to help
Two hikers were on a 24-mile trek through rugged peaks and alpine lakes in Washington when they realized they were stuck, deputies said.
But a friend was able to help them from afar.
The 31-year-old from Utah and the 35-year-old from California set out to hike the Enchantments on Friday, March 15, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
They planned to be done with their journey Sunday, March 17, deputies said. But when the day came, they were only halfway through the hike, deputies said.
They used a satellite device to message a friend at about 9 p.m. that they were stuck and had to stay another night in the wilderness, even though they weren’t prepared to do so, deputies said.
Along with the message, the friend was given their coordinates who then told authorities the hikers needed help.
They hunkered down for another night, deputies said.
Rescuers spotted the two from a helicopter the next day at about 4:45 p.m., deputies said. They were near Colchuck Lake, which is about 10 miles to the parking lot.
The hikers were flown out of the area uninjured, deputies said.
What are the Enchantments?
The Enchantments are a “mountain wonderland” for hikers nestled within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cascade Range near Leavenworth, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
The forested area includes turquoise lakes, creeks, rugged peaks and mountain goats, officials said.
“See beautiful alpine larch trees standing tall against green meadows and light-gray granitic rocks, picture-perfect scenes that will make you pause to take in the serenity,” officials said.
The hike is typically 18 miles, according to AllTrails. It’s considered highly challenging and meant for an overnight backpacking trip.
But deputies said it’s 24 miles at this time of year.
“Although it is warming up in the lower elevations it is still very much winter through most of the hike,” the sheriff’s department said. “It is important to know your limitations and prepare for unexpected delays.”
Leavenworth is about a 120-mile drive east from Seattle.
This story was originally published March 20, 2024 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Hikers get stuck on 24-mile trek, Washington cops say. How a friend was able to help."
