By Amanda Swinehart

On June 1, after more than 20 attempts at extraction in a four-day period, rescuers were able to reach a group of mountaineers stranded by bad weather in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

The 12-person team, led by St. Elias Alpine Guides (SEAG), based in McCarthy, was attempting to summit Mount Bona when two of its members developed symptoms of altitude sickness.  

In a press release, SEAG said their guides administered medical care with consultation from a company doctor and descended to a drop-off landing zone located at approximately 10,000 ft. on the Klutlan Glacier.  However, poor weather conditions prevented “the usual pick-up logistics,” and SEAG reached out to the National Park Service (NPS) for assistance.

“When heading into the mountains, our teams are as prepared as they can be for everything mother nature is likely to throw at them,” the press release said.  “But even when you do everything right, you still can’t control the weather.”

The NPS notified the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, who enlisted the help of the Alaska Air National Guard (AK ANG).  However, high winds, snow, and low visibility continued to prevent rescuers from reaching the group for several days.

When the storm cleared, a Chinook helicopter deployed by the AK ANG was able to retrieve all 12 mountaineers and their roughly 1,000 pounds of equipment and supplies.

“Nine people were totally fine,” Anya Voskresensky, co-owner of SEAG, said.  “Only three people needed evacuated, but the fact everyone got out on the same day was a matter of convenience and logistical efficiency.”

According to an AK ANG press release, a flight medic stabilized the two patients with altitude sickness and treated a third person for minor frostbite.  After being transported to the Gulkana Airport, the two patients with altitude sickness were flown to Anchorage.

Despite the situation sounding dramatic, Voskresensky said the team kept everything under control and had enough supplies to stay up to a week past their scheduled pick-up date.

“We’re proud of our guides,” she said.  “They were tired and exhausted … but that’s just normal mountaineering.”

This multi-agency rescue was coordinated by the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Search and Rescue Team and the AK RCC and included personnel and aircraft from, the National Park Service - Alaska Region Medical Advisor, Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, Ultima Thule Lodge, St. Elias Alpine Guides and Gulkana Fuel.

Other recent search and rescue coverage includes:

Inclement Weather Dampens Weekend Rescue Efforts

Injured Hiker Requires Multi-Agency Response in Wrangell-St. Elias NP