OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – There was a search and rescue operation over the weekend involving a missing snowboarder on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
A 30-year-old man from New York was reported missing by his girlfriend at 4:30 pm Saturday after last being seen taking the intermediate rope tow to the top of Sunrise Ridge.
Park rangers and employees of the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club searched for three hours before it became too dangerous to continue due to the dark and foggy conditions. A team of more than 30 people was then organized to continue the search Sunday morning.
We’re told he was found in good condition after spending the night in temperatures in the low thirties, but we don’t know what time he was found, what happened to cause him to be missing, or where and how he survived the night.
A news release says he sustained minor injuries and, after being given food and water, was able to snowshoe back up to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center with assistance from the team.
National Park Rangers were assisted in the search by the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club Ski Patrol, Olympic Mountain Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Kitsap County Search Dogs, and King County Ski Patrol Rescue Team (SPART). A Navy helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was also en route to assist with the search when the snowboarder was located.
The opening of Hurricane Ridge Road on Sunday morning was delayed until 10:00 am to facilitate the search and rescue operation.
The total number of search and rescue incidents in Olympic National Park for 2019 is 84.