A springtime view of Deer Mountain. (KRBD file photo by Leila Kheiry)
Two overdue hikers were rescued from Deer Mountain on Friday night.
According to the Alaska State Troopers online dispatch, the two 24-year-old men had become lost while hiking on the snow-covered Deer Mountain trail. They were reported overdue at about 6 p.m.
Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad and the U.S. Coast Guard were notified. KVRS crews started hiking up the mountain while a Coast Guard helicopter out of Sitka was deployed.
The helicopter crew located the two men, and was able to lift them off the mountain. They were taken to a waiting ambulance for treatment of possible hypothermia. Neither hiker was injured, according to Alaska State Troopers.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the hikers were found near a cliff with tall trees and knee-
deep snow. Lt. Matt Herring, a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka pilot, says it’s fortunate they realized early on that they needed assistance.
Weather on scene was reported as light winds, 45 degrees and overcast.
KVRS does offer free use of SPOT emergency locator beacons, which can be activated if a hiker becomes lost or injured. The beacons help rescuers more easily find people in trouble.
Beacons are available at the Ketchikan Public Library, Visitors Bureau and Alaska State Troopers. Below is a link with more information about the beacons.
https://ketchikanrescue.org/spot-program/
