OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A cross-country skier lost on Klahane Ridge was led to safety Saturday by the Hurricane Ridge Ski Patrol.
The unidentified man from Sequim was trying to reach friends on the south side of the ridge in an area known as “Maggie’s” but skied down the north side instead, said Dave Reynolds, Olympic National Park spokesman.
The skier is experienced but didn’t know where he was because of low visibility, Reynolds said.
Reynolds, who declined to name the man — saying he had requested that his anonymity be protected — and didn’t know his age, said the skier realized he was lost at about 11 a.m.
Either the man or his wife contacted park dispatchers at 3 p.m.
The ski patrol kept in contact with him through his cell phone, and they reached each other at about 5 p.m., Reynolds said.
The man was properly dressed for weather conditions and was not injured or at risk of hypothermia, he said.
“He didn’t have a compass,” Reynolds said.
“However, he did have hand warmers and a face mask, which definitely helped for those several hours.”
Reynolds said he didn’t know how often a skier gets lost in the park.
He said it’s always a good idea to bring a compass and never ski alone.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
