Juneau’s outdoor rescuers had a busy but productive Friday as two pairs of hikers were successfully saved.
According to information provided by Alaska State Troopers, both rescues took place Friday afternoon and evening.
The first incident was reported about 3:10 p.m. when Nicolette Chappell, 19, and Micki Minsch, also 19, said by phone they were stuck on a West Glacier Trail ledge.
The pair got lost on the trail and slid down an embankment, leaving them stuck.
Juneau Mountain Rescue responded, but because of the terrain and weather, they couldn’t reach the pair. The U.S. Coast Guard was called for help, and a helicopter from Air Station Sitka picked the pair up at 12:50 a.m. Saturday and took them to Juneau International Airport. Neither was injured.
The second incident was reported about 3:30 p.m.
Stephen Young, 27, and Kaylen Wilson, 26, had been snowshoeing from Windfall Lake Cabin to the end of Montana Creek Trail but were floundering in deep snow and had become wet while crossing a stream.
Members of Juneau Mountain Rescue and the Juneau Snow Machine Club responded to the call for help.
The Snow Machine Club found Young and Wilson by 7:30 p.m. and took them back to the trailhead. Neither was injured.
