VERLOT — Just over a year ago, two teenage boys from Seattle held hands as rescuers frantically dug through a collapsed ice cave near Snoqualmie Pass to bring the boys to safety.
This year, Snohomish County emergency responders are studying the dramatic rescue in case a similar effort is necessary here, Snohomish County sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Wikstrom said.
Hot and dry weather has created dangerous conditions at the Big Four ice caves and other backcountry areas where snow, glaciers and ice caves have softened this summer.
“It has the potential of being a nightmarish scenario up there,” Wikstrom said.
Late last month, bystanders at Big Four helped a man walk to the trailhead after he slipped and fell about 20 feet, witnesses said. Just after the group passed through the shelter of one of the caves, chunks of ice collapsed in a cave behind them.
“If the rescuers had been just a little later in arriving, the victim and his rescuers may have all been killed by the collapse of ice,” said Paul Petry. The Seattle man was hiking in the area with his family.
A search-and-rescue deputy last week saw a group of people, including children, walk through an ice cave, Wikstrom said. The deputy reported being able to hear ice blocks falling inside.
“It’s just a matter of time,” he said.
King County sheriff’s officials and rescue crews recently briefed Snohomish County officials on the Snoqualmie rescue so that emergency responders here are prepared.
Wikstrom said anyone venturing into the wilderness should be prepared with the 10 essentials, carry plenty of water and check trail conditions before heading out.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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