Successful group effort between Sheriff’s Office, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Chelan County Mountain Rescue Team, Okanogan County Search and Rescue
information released
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports, on Sunday, 4/28/24 at approximately 2000 hours, Rivercom Dispatch received an Inreach activation near Cutthroat Peak located in northern Chelan County. The message advised one climber had fallen and sustained a broken leg. The other climber lost his rope and was unable to rappel down off the cliff. After speaking with friends it was determined they were climbing the Cauthorn-Wilson Couloir on Cutthroat Peak.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office contacted Washington State Emergency Management to request a hoist capable helicopter. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island accepted the requested mission. Just after midnight, they attempted to rescue the climbers, but were forced to turn around do to weather.
Chelan County Mountain Rescue personnel were also requested. Several members left Wenatchee at approximately 11:45pm, they arrived at the trailhead at 2:45 am on the 29th. They hiked in and located the victims at approximately 6:22 am. As a second team of Mountain Rescue members left Wenatchee to assist, the weather had cleared and the Navy launched for a second time at approximately 9:05 am. At approximately 10:34 am, CCMR advised that the injured climber was rescued and was being flown to Harborview Hospital. Mt Rescue personnel are escorting the uninjured climber back to the trailhead.
Chelan County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize Sheriff’s Office SAR coordinator Deputy Jerid Sutherland, Chelan County Mountain Rescue Team, Navy Air Station Whidbey Island, and Okanogan County Search and Rescue. It was a true team effort.
Photos show Mt. Rescue members ascending the Cauthorn-Wilson Couloir on Cutthroat Peak.
