This week started off with a bang. On Monday morning I woke up to a message from my mom. She said my sister hadn’t returned home from a weekend climbing trip in the North Cascades, Washington. My sister had went with 3 friends, and none of them could be reached on their cell phones. “Maybe they have no signal and they’re just having some car trouble” I suggested. My mom replied back that before leaving for her trip, my sister had told her and my brother-in-law that if they hadn’t heard from her by 5am Monday morning, to call Search and Rescue. I told my mom hopefully my sister would show up or call soon.
But she didn’t.
As the hours passed, we grew more and more worried. Washington is 9 hours behind Germany, so as I worked, I messaged my mom to ask for updates. At lunch time, my mom messaged me with bad news. Two climbers my sister was with made it back down the mountain to camp, but my sister and her friend did not. The Search and Rescue team were notified and they would be taking the chopper in the morning to search for them. My heart sank. Where was she? Was she lost? Hurt? I told my mom if need be, I’d be on the next plane home.
One of the climbers that made it back to camp sent a photo to my brother-in-law (which is pictured below). They saw a lone light on the side of the mountain which was probably from my sister’s headlamp. That gave us a pinch of hope, but was someone hurt??
We went hours without hearing any new news. Until finally, in the early evening (Germany time), my mom said the helicopter located them and was going to bring them to safety. Both girls were uninjured. It was such a relief!! I am so grateful and glad that she’s ok!
All the details about what happened on the mountain are not clear to me. From what my sister has said, they were not lost, but mistakes were made. There were feelings of fear, courage, worry, and relief. Her story sounds like something out of the movies or a book. We are so thankful it had a happy ending.
All the photos below were taken by my sister. Big big thanks to her for allowing me to share them! They are really spectacular!
My sisters view from the side of the mountain. It’s a looong way down!
The photo sent to my brother-in-law. That little light is my sister and her friend.
Search and Rescue taking them to safety.
Astounding pictures.Regards.jalal
Thank you, Jalal! Wish I could take credit for them! 😉
Wow!!! I’m so glad they are safe… A very scary time!!
Yes, I never thought I would hear news like that about my sister! I’m so thankful it ended well! 🙂
So glad your sister is okay, how scary! Beautiful shots.
Thank you! We are very thankful that shes ok! I’m glad she managed to snap some photos during her adventure. I don’t think I have the guts to do a climb like that!
Living here in the foothills of the Cascades we hear the search and rescue choppers all the time. Glad to hear this time the rescue ended well.
What a beautiful place! We thank God for the Search and Rescue team! They really saved my whole family. 🙂
Glad all are safe.
Scary,, but at least she is okay
Yes! My family is so greatful! 😀
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Thank you so much, Sarah! I appreciate your nomination a lot!! 🙂
Aw no problem!! Do you have Twitter? 🙂
I currently don’t have one, but I think I’ll sign up! What’s your username?
Oh thank God.
I was going to message you about it, but I was too worried all day! Hope all is well! xoxo
My heart was racing out of concern, wishing for a happy ending. Glad they were found safe and sound 🙂
My family and I are so thankful the story ended happily! Thank you for the comment 🙂
That must have been really scary. I’m glad they are safe and sound.
I hope to never go through that again! Thanks for the comment, Gracie! 😀
Hi , l had to read the post ,thanks God she is well and back safe.Your sister took awesome pictures.Which made me wonder about them only.Best regards.jalal
I’m really glad she took them, it was hard to think about what she went through! Thank you, Jalal 😀
In Spain we said “where there is a light, there is a Hope” or something similar (sorry english is not my natural)
Gongratulations
We were saying that when the other hikers saw the light on the side of the mountain! Thank you the comment! 😀
This is such a gripping, on the edge of your seat, story! I particularly like your sisters photos, as they complete the story. The one of the helicopter with blades spinning, a line attached to a rescue worker, and the perfect peak of a mountain as the backdrop is just priceless and perfection. Thank you for stopping by http://chasingteal.com and liking my post about the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Stop back tomorrow to check out the Toledo Botanical Garden! 🙂
Yes, I think it looks like a scene out of a movie! I’m glad she took those photos, I feel that it completes the story as well. Thanks for the comment! I really like your site, it’s very well done! 🙂