Glacier Hiker in Trouble

First off… glacier travel alone? Not smart in my book. He put himself in danger, now he's putting other's lives in danger. I'd go get him, but i'd probably hit him once we were back on solid ground.

Bet that radio didn't taste very good.

You were thinking that too I see.

Alone? This time of year in Alaska? No food for 4 days?

It will be interesting to learn the whys and wherefors associated with this when they finally get him down safely.

At the least, he should be required to pay for the cost of the rescue.

Darwin?

Cheers

Hope they get the radio back when they do the recovery operation.

Nobody ever won the Oscar going "full retard":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwGRJA28lY

That said….

Well, at least my friends from JMR get some practice out of the event….

UPDATE – Juneau Mountain Rescue called in to help in rescue of hiker

Weather continues to hamper the rescue of an extreme hiker on Meade Glacier east of Haines.

A civilian helicopter from Haines was unable to rescue 28 year old Kyle Dugan of Haines this morning due to low clouds.

A Coast Guard helicopter tried later, but was turned back by weather conditions.

As a result, Wes Parker, a Search and Rescue Controller in the District 17 Command Center, says they've contacted Juneau Mountain Rescue to help. A Coast Guard helicopter was scheduled to drop the team on the mountain.

It appears we have a serious contender for top spot in the Northwest Regional Tournament. Winner goes on to compete in the finals for the 2010 National Darwin Award.

Backpacking Light does NOT mean leaving behind common sense, practicality, safety, and consideration for others. But I hope he gets rescued.

Hiker rescued from Meade Glacier

Searchers have rescued an "extreme hiker" stranded on Meade Glacier near Haines.

28 year-old Kyle Dungan of Skagway is reported to be in good condition.

Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios says a Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted Dungan and dropped smoke, allowing a ski-equipped Alaska Army National Guard helicopter to land and offload a Juneau Mountain Rescue team.

For the past three days harsh weather and fog has hampered efforts to rescue Dungan.

Rios says late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) there was a weather "window" of opportunity to locate Dungan and pick him up.

Dungan told rescuers he heard the helicopters and used the radio he was dropped days prior to guide the Coast Guard helicopter to his location.

Dungan reported that until the helicopters showed up, the visibility had been zero/zero.

He had plenty of gear and water, but had not eaten in seven days by the time he was found. He set up a tent and hunkered down until the weather got better.

The experienced mountaineering guide was dropped off on the glacier February 20 and was scheduled for pickup March 7.

The flying service was able to locate Dungan on the glacier on Sunday but he was still several miles way from the pickup point where the plane could land.

Troopers estimated the area has received 12 feet of snow since Feb. 20.

Wonder when he realized that he was in serious trouble. And as always plenty of praise goes out to the SAR teams. Love them.

I think this guy has him beat as a contender for the Darwin award, by FAR.

http://www.thenewsobserver.com/articles/2010/03/09/news/news01.txt

That is going to be one expensive trip to Springer Mountain

He is in fact a very experienced Alaska Mountaineer, who has worked on and near the Meade Glacier for years. He had everything he needed…warmth, water, and food was just five miles away. He was just a guy stuck in a storm.