Two hikers were airlifted from Mount Ellinor on Sunday after a 51-year-old woman slipped in the mountain’s winter avalanche chute and a 16-year-old boy who tried to help her also fell. Both were rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and taken to Olympia Regional Airport for medical evaluation, with the woman suffering abdominal injuries and the teen injuring his knee.
Dispatchers received the first call around 1:15 p.m., prompting Mason County’s Special Operations Team, Mason County Search & Rescue, and Olympic Mountain Rescue to deploy three ground teams. King County’s Guardian One helicopter initially turned back due to weather, and the rescue was completed later that night with a combined ground-and-air effort, as reported by OregonLive.
Tumwater Fire crews and Thurston County Medic One met the Coast Guard helicopter at Olympia Regional Airport and performed initial medical assessments before both patients were taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital. Tumwater officials said the woman's abdominal injuries raised concerns about possible internal bleeding, while the teenager was treated for a knee injury. After evaluation, both were described as stable, according to KIRO 7.
How Rescuers Pulled Off the Hoist
Rescue teams had to thread the needle between deteriorating weather and unforgiving terrain. Ground crews worked their way up the mountain while conditions slowly improved enough for a Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Astoria to step in. The Jayhawk crew eventually conducted a night hoist, sending down a rescue basket to the ridge, then hauling both patients off the mountainside.
The earlier Guardian One attempt helped ground teams close distance and stabilize the hikers before the helicopter arrived, easing the final lift. The rescue, along with a short clip of the hoist, was documented by FOX 13 and appears in the Coast Guard's DVIDS archive at DVIDS.
Why Mt. Ellinor's Winter Route Can Turn Ugly Fast
Mount Ellinor's winter line climbs directly up a steep avalanche chute, a feature that can turn treacherous when snow is wind-packed or icy. The route often calls for crampons, an ice axe and solid experience in avalanche terrain. Trail guides and the U.S. Forest Service caution that this winter ascent is technical and very different from the more forgiving summer switchback trail. For route descriptions and seasonal notes, see the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington Trails Association.
What To Know Before You Head Into Avalanche Terrain
Backcountry travelers are urged to check current avalanche forecasts and travel with proper gear and training. The Northwest Avalanche Center publishes daily regional forecasts and planning tools for winter recreation. This multi-agency rescue underscores how quickly a familiar winter scramble can shift into a complicated technical operation. Forecasters recommend carrying a beacon, probe and shovel, and turning around if conditions feel unstable or beyond your skill level. Forecasts and safety guidance are available from the Northwest Avalanche Center.
