FORKS — A lost hiker was found cold but safe after she and her husband set out to pick mushrooms in a wooded area about 10 miles north of Forks, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reported today.
The hiker was found standing in shallow water of the Sol Duc River after an hour’s search on Monday evening, the sheriff’s office said.
Shortly after Nichole and Mark Vanderschelden of Forks entered the woods at about 6 p.m., the two became separated, deputies said.
He looked for her unsuccessfully and eventually called for help.
Deputy Ed Anderson contacted the sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit.
Headed by Detective Jim McLaughlin, the unit responded with volunteers who split into four two-person teams. Rayonier security officer Tim Pinard provided access to the wooded area where the hike began by opening gates, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The terrain was rugged and steep and it took the teams until after 1:15 a.m. Tuesday to bring her out of the woods, deputies said.
The hiker went home after volunteers provided her with dry clothing, food and water, the sheriff’s office said
