Who: A 30-year-old “experienced climber”
Where: On the Pratt Lake Trail about 47 miles east of Seattle
His mistake: Separating from his hiking partner
What happnened: Two men, described as being “stong, experienced climbers” were hiking on the Pratt Lake trail when they encountered snow near the “Ollalie Saddle.”
One of them stopped to put his snowshoes on while his partner kept going. When his partner never caught up, he went back looking for him and gave up and returned to the trailhead where he called “911” to report that his partner was missing.
Seattle Mountain Rescue was called out but within a half hour, the sheriff was called and told that the “missing” hiker was at the trailhead. Apparently both men assumed that the other was lost and went looking for each other. So much for being “experienced.” Hundreds of hikers go snowshoing on this trail without becoming lost and all it takes is some common sense stay on the trail.
Whenever I hear someone described as “experienced” I get a bad feeling!!!! I guess being “experienced” or “stong” does not automatically mean that someone will not get into trouble!
I told my wife if I ever get lost to please not tell anyone I am ‘experienced’.