Sequim boys emerge from forest with admonishment to be prepared

SEQUIM – Two teens missing in the Olympic National Forest walked out of the woods Thursday morning after an all-night search by rescuers.

Jake Billmark, 17, and J.J. Hinkle, 16, looked sheepish as Clallam County sheriff’s deputies reminded the pair to be prepared and to let others know where they were headed before they go into the woods.

“I just want to go home,” said Billmark, who was tired after not sleeping well in his truck Wednesday night.

Brenda Billmark said she did not sleep well either, worrying about her son and praying.

“I’m just glad it turned out the way it did,” she said Thursday afternoon

“It could have gone the other way.”

Three ambulances and two Sheriff’s deputies waited for the teens at the intersection of Lost Mountain Road and Forest Service Road 2870.

“We’re glad they’re OK,” said Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Lyman Moores.

Moores oversees the search and rescue detachment.

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