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DEM #97-2075 November 13, 1997 |
The unit was contacted by the Pierce county Department of Emergency Management on Thursday Nov. 13 at 6:30p.m.. They had been contacted by the Rangers at Mt. Rainier National Park to help search for a lost hiker in the Deer Creek area of the park south of Cayuse Pass.
Chet Hansen had gone on a solo hike Tuesday to the east side of the park. He had left no itinerary and was carrying camera equipment weighing about thirty pounds. He was dressed in a pile jacket and carrying a fanny pack, and was not prepared for an overnight stay on the mountain. His friends and relatives searched on Wednesday prior to notifying Park Rangers and as a result a organized search was not started until Thursday. The first search concentrated in areas around waterfalls and viewpoints that might lure a photographer. Film that was found in his car was developed and it was discovered that he had been in the Tipsoo Lake area
The Park Rangers requested That 12 Mountain Rescue volunteers to meet at Ohanapecosh Ranger station at 7:00a.m. Friday morning. Five unit members responded they were: Fran McFarland, Ron Lucas, John Miner, Mike Mixon and Stan Kartes. Another six volunteers were obtained from Olympic Mountain Rescue in Bremerton. After arrival Fran and Stan were inserted by helicopter into Chinook Pass. The rest of the mountain rescue teams searched the drainage around Deer Creek where the subject's car was found. A second callout was made on Friday night for nine more searchers to help search on Saturday. Ten members responded; they were: Lee Tegner, Chris Berryman, Larry and Connie Crum, Ken Davies, Alan Givotovsky, Angela Kartes, John Kirkman, Tom Miner, Duane Perham, Ray Ward, Rick Wire and Dave Wright. Sunday nine members stayed thru; they were Chris Berryman, Rick Wire, Dave Wright, Fran McFarland, John Miner, Alan Givotovsky, Tom Miner and Lee Tegner. Two more members went up on Sunday morning they were Jim Andrues and Steve Stowell
A very extensive search was mounted on Saturday and Sunday with Mountain Rescue teams from Tacoma, Olympic, Everett and Seattle, members from the Pierce, Thurston and Snohomish Explorer Search and Rescue teams, plus numerous friends and co-workers of the subject. In total over a hundred searchers combed the areas in and around Deer Creek, Governors Ridge, Barrier Peak, Buel Peak, Cowlitz Chimneys, Sheepskin Pass, Cayuse and Chinook Passes. The Mountain Rescue (MR) teams searched some very steep and slick terrain where they had to wear crampon's to maintain their footing, while other MR members acted as team leaders for the Explorer teams.
Tom and John Miner acted as Operations Leaders for this huge effort and deserve a special pat on the back for their efforts in coordinating all the searchers. Thanks should also be given to the people at Camp Shepard for helping to house and feed the searchers who participated.
Unfortunately the search on all three days turned up nothing and as of Sunday night it was suspended. Everyone returned safe and sound by 10:30p.m. Sunday night.
Tacoma Mountain Rescue |
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