in an avalanche chute along the winter route of Mount Ellinor.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., the Mason County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to reports of a 51-year-old woman who had fallen in the avalanche chute and suffered significant abdominal injuries, with suspected internal bleeding.

While attempting to assist her, a 16-year-old male also became injured, suffering a knee injury.

Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, with the Mason County Special Operations Team (SORT) leading the mission. Assisting agencies included Mason County Search and Rescue, Mason County Sheriff’s Office personnel, and Olympic Mountain Rescue. Three separate ground teams worked their way toward the injured hikers.

Earlier in the response, the King County Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy its Guardian One helicopter to access the patients, but deteriorating weather conditions forced the air operation to be aborted.

With ground evacuation deemed unsafe due to the steep and hazardous terrain, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Northwest District received a request for assistance.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m., an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria arrived on scene. The crew successfully hoisted both patients from the mountainside and transported them to Olympia Regional Airport, where emergency medical services were standing by for evaluation and further treatment.

The coordinated multi-agency effort brought the challenging rescue to a successful conclusion late Sunday evening.

Authorities remind hikers that winter routes on Mount Ellinor can present dangerous conditions, including avalanche chutes, unstable footing, and rapidly changing weather.