Missing Snow Boarders Found

At approximately 1100 hours this morning, searchers at Mount Rainier National Park found the two snowboarder who have been missing since Sunday,  November 12^th. Derek Tyndall, 21, and Thomas Dalle, 20, had spent Sunday snowboarding in the area above Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park before they became lost in white-out winter snow conditions while descending from Camp Muir.

Monday’s search effort focused on an area believed to be where the two snowboarders had spent Sunday evening. On late Monday afternoon searcher had a visual of what they believed were the missing snowboarders. Because of difficult terrain and low visibility, they were not able to make contact with these individuals before nightfall.

Today the park deployed a stronger search response over a greater area of the park, with volunteers from Tacoma, Olympic, and Seattle Mountain Rescue Teams; as well as four dog teams from the Washington Search and Rescue Task Force.  

Derek and Thomas were found by one of the search groups in the Upper Stevens Creek drainage. Currently Mr. Tyndall and Mr. Dalle are being rewarmed, as an appropriate way to extricate them is being determined.

Searchers utilized a combination of snowshoes and skis in the difficult conditions they found on the Mountain. Stefan Lofgren, the Incident Commander on this search said, “We are relieved to have found Derek and Thomas!  The health and safety of not only our two lost subjects but all of our searchers has been and will continue to be our greatest concern today considering the avalanche high avalanche danger and the deep and laborious snow conditions.”

Enjoying Mount Rainier in the winter

Mount Rainer is a beautiful and alluring place to visit in the winter; however it is a dynamic and extreme environment that can become hazardous if you’re not prepared. When planning a trip to Mount Rainier’s backcountry in the winter, consider these important tips:

·        Before you leave home check and heed local weather forecasts, realizing weather can change for the worse in a very short period of time.

·        Know your experience and ability to survive in an alpine environment and don’t exceed.

·        Always carry survival gear with you, including the 10 essential. Extra clothing and food in case you have to spend the night out.

·        Always leave word with someone on the specifics of where you’re going and when you expect to be home. It is always safest to not travel alone.

·        While electronic locators and communication can be helpful, they cannot be always be relied upon while in the Mount Rainier backcountry.

·        Remember you need to be responsible for your own safety.

Search Continues for Missing Snowboarders

Search efforts continue today for two snowboarders who have been missing since Sunday, November 12. Derek Tyndall, 21, and Thomas Dalle, 20, had spent the day Sunday snowboarding in the area above Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park before they became lost in white-out winter snow conditions while descending from Camp Muir.

Yesterday’s search effort focused on an area believed to be where the two snowboarders had spent Sunday night. Today’s search will begin in the Paradise Glacier/McClure Rock area of the park where searchers late yesterday afternoon had a visual of what they believed were the missing snowboarders. Because of difficult terrain and low visibility, they were not able to make contact with these individuals before nightfall.

Because we now believe Derek and Thomas may be on the move, the park has deployed a stronger search response today over a greater area of the park, specifically in the Stevens Creek drainage area. Currently in the field there are six five-person crews which are made up of volunteer members of Tacoma, Olympic, and Seattle Mountain Rescue Teams; as well as four dog teams from the Washington Search and Rescue Task Force. Searchers are utilizing a combination of snowshoes and skis. Mount Rainier National Park is grateful for these organizations who aid in search endeavors on the Mountain.

While the snow level is rising with little snowfall accumulation over the night in the search area, environmental conditions continue to be difficult for the searchers. Stefan Lofgren, the Incident Commander on this search said, “The safety of all of our searchers is of our utmost concern today, with avalanche conditions high.”

Winter Operations 2012/2013

In preparation for the upcoming winter and to ensure that all Mount Rainier National Park employees have access to the most up-to-date information; we will continue to utilize this blogspot as a way to communicate with park personnel, whether they are in or out of the park.