It was Fathers’ Day, 1989, a sunny spring day. Our daughter, a junior at Snohomish High, had planned a hike up Mount Pilchuck, led by a school friend who was “an experienced mountaineer.” Against our better judgment, we agreed that she could go, provided she be back home by 4 p.m., in time for our family Fathers’ Day barbecue. We also required that she leave us the home phone number of the school friend.
When she was not home by 4, we were a little worried, as our house rules were to call home if you were going to be late. Time passed with no word, so we called the home of her friend. It turned out that those parents were not aware of the hiking plans at all. We really got concerned when we learned from them that the young man was not an “experienced mountaineer” either.
We called a woman we knew who had worked with John Taylor on search and rescues, and asked her advice. She immediately contacted Mr. Taylor, and he first determined that the friend’s car was in the Mount Pilchuck trailhead parking lot – it was the only car there. By now dusk was falling. We knew the kids were not dressed for the cold night coming, nor did they have any survival items with them. We felt frantic and helpless, but were told to stay at home and wait for further information.
It got dark. We waited, for what seemed like forever. Finally, we got the phone call. The kids had been found in a snowfield on the opposite side of the mountain. They were rescued by helicopter and were safe.
Two very wet, dirty and cold teens were brought to our house. Amid hugs and tears, a very contrite young man apologized. The kids had taken the wrong trail back down from the mountain, and had not realized their error until they were in very steep terrain. They eventually found themselves in a snowfield off a logging road, which enabled the helicopter rescuers to see them in the rapidly falling darkness.
So, our story had a happy ending, thanks entirely to John Taylor, whose Fathers’ Day 1989 was spent on a rescue mission saving our daughter and her friend’s lives. We remain so thankful for this man’s expertise and dedication. He more than just touched our lives – he gave us an immeasurably precious gift, and we will never forget it.
Snohomish
EDITOR’S NOTE – John Taylor, who oversaw search and rescue operations for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for nearly a quarter-century, died late last month at the age of 60.
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