Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 13-year-old boy who injured his leg while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with his family was brought out on horseback today from south of Packwood by search and rescue volunteers.
The San Diego-area family of four had begun their journey at the Mexican border and authorities got word of their personal emergency beacon activation shortly before 8 o’clock this morning, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Cmdr. Dusty Breen said he understood about six volunteers on horseback located the family in an area near Chamber Lake just after noon. The specific area was described as southeast of Snowgrass Flats, about seven miles from the lake.
“SAR personnel were able to get the boy out on horseback and the rest of the family walked out on foot,” Breen said.
The child was transported to the hospital for evaluation, according to Breen.
The sheriff’s office said the two adults and two children had departed on April 12 and hoped to reach the Canadian border late this month.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Pat and others from the Randle chapter do several rescues each year from the Goat Rocks and PCT trail between Mt. Adams and White Pass. These great people go at a moment’s notice to bring out the injured and lost, hypothermic, and dehydrated.
You hear about the helicopter rescues but the helos can’t always fly because of the weather or not having a suitable landing site. Even when they can fly, people on horses can find someone where the helo can’t.
Who’s awesome? Back Country Horsemen of Washington Lewis County Chapter are awesome!
The four men who brought the boy out on horseback were not SAR. They are members of the Back country Horsemen of Washington Lewis County Chapter.