Missing Minn. snowshoer found, brought to safety
The Chelan County sheriff's office says a helicopter has flown a Minnesota hiker to safety after a ground rescue crew helped him off the rocky ledge where he'd gotten stuck in steep, snowy terrain near Stevens Pass in Washington's North Cascades.
KIRO-TV reported the chopper carrying 21-year-old Ezra Thompson landed Thursday evening at search headquarters at the Lake Wenatchee air strip.
A search helicopter spotted him Thursday morning at about the 6,700-foot elevation in the Spider Gap area about 25 miles west of Leavenworth.
Thompson left the Nason Creek trailhead on May 25 and was expected Tuesday at Holden Village, a church camp where he had volunteered to clear trails. His mother called authorities when he was overdue. Sheriff's Lt. Maria Agnew says Thompson got off trail and wound up on the ledge. The terrain was described as very steep with snow-covered rocks and significant avalanche danger.
The Paynesville, Minn., man is reported in good condition and uninjured.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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