VIDEO: King County Helicopter Rescues Hikers Near Snoqualmie Pass
Eighteen-year-old Ricardo Perez, an Edmonds resident, and Brian Chim, 19, had failed to return from a hiking trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on Sunday.
Update, 6 p.m. July 2: The two teens rescued Tuesday from the Alpine Lakes Wilderness had become lost while trying to follow a snow-covered trail beyond Mason Lake, according to Sgt. Cindi West of the King County Sheriff's Office. Edmonds resident Ricardo Perez, 18, and 19-year-old Brian Chim of Mukilteo had set out for a day hike to Mason Lake near Snoqualmie Falls on Sunday. After reaching the lake, West said the teens decided to hike to a second lake but ended up losing the trail when they encountered snow at a higher elevation. Eventually, Perez and Chim worked their their way down to the Pratt River, which they tried following to locate the trail. At the end of the ordeal, West said the hikers had traveled approximately 17 miles and ended up about 7 direct miles from the trailhead. West said the teens were first spotted by rescuers in a Snohomish County helicopter after one of the hikers shook a small tree to get their attention. Chim's purple T-shirt was visible from the helicopter, even amid the heavy brush that surrounded them, West said.
“It’s just amazing that the (Snohomish County) helicopter spotted them,” she said. KCSO's Guardian 2 helicopter ended up retrieving the teens (see video above). West said the incident is a good reminder of why it's important for hikers to come prepared for mishaps when traveling in the backcountry.
“Carry the 10 essentials, even if you think you’re only going up there for a day hike," she said.
--- Update, 8:30 a.m. July 2: Sgt. Cindi West of the King County Sheriff's Office says the two hikers were picked up near the Pratt River at around 7 a.m. Tuesday by a KCSO helicopter.
Their location was about 7 miles from the trailhead, West said, but it's not immediately clear how they ended up in that area.
West said search and rescue officials are interviewing them now to find out how they became lost.
"They’re hungry, tired and scratched up, but otherwise they’re in good condition,” she said.
-- Update, 8 a.m. July 2: Two teenagers reported missing after a hike near Snoqualmie Pass have been located by search crews. The King County Sheriff's Office announced the news in a tweet at 7:43 a.m. Tuesday: "Missing teens found picked up by Guardian 1 just landed at Bandera Air Field." KIRO TV also tweeted a photo of the two hikers, who appeared to be uninjured.
Edmonds resident Ricardo Perez, 18, and 19-year-old Brian Chim of Mukilteo were reported missing by their parents on Sunday evening after they failed to return home from a day hike to Mason Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
This is a developing story. Patch will post more information as it becomes available.
--- Original post, July 1: A search is underway for two Snohomish County teenagers who failed to return from a day hike near Snoqualmie Pass on Sunday.
Edmonds resident Ricardo Perez, 18, and 19-year-old Brian Chim of Mukilteo left home at around 7 a.m. Sunday to hike and swim at Mason Lake, located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Their parents reported them missing when they did not come home later that evening.
Crews from King County Search and Rescue and the King County Sheriff's Office are currently combing the area looking for the missing teens. A KCSO news release notes that they are not experienced hikers, but the three-mile trail to Mason Lake is wide and crowded with users this time of year.
Perez is about 5'11'' tall and 185 pounds and was last seen wearing shorts and a light blue jacket. Chim is 5'7" tall and 170 pounds and was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt and khaki shorts and carrying a black backpack.
Anyone who may have spotted the two teens while hiking in the area on Sunday or Monday is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 206-296-3311.
