Dec 30

Dec 30 Social Media Group Helps Rescue Stuck Hikers... Sort of!

This is the truck, Jaisy's, that pulled out most of the cars

Nick and April Davis' truck and some of the tools they used to try and get out.

On their way to rescue a fellow hiker, Hadley KanHike, that was stuck in the snow, Nick and April Davis found themselves stuck! By nightfall, there were up to eight vehicles, some only a couple hundred yards off of I-90, stuck trying to get to the Ira Springs Trailhead via Forest Service Road 9030. Most of the stuck rigs were there to help until they too needed saving.

The Facebook group Washington Hikers and Climbers has over 15,000 members. It is a great community and this thread shows the love and laughter that comes from that. Join the group if you like to hike in Washington! Social media can really surprise those that don't use it like this group does.

Hadley, in the original truck, called in a tow that showed up after the Davis family. Ultimately the tow truck got stuck and then the tow truck drivers rescue, a Lexus, became stuck also! One member from the Facebook group, Josh Ostbye, said that they are on their way, for $100, but once he saw the mess, he felt that the right thing to do was not ask for any money. It's people like him that create this wonderful community in Washington Hikers and Climbers.

Hadley's truck... The first stuck rig on 9030 this day.

The post was bombarded with ideas and good lucks until word of a few more stuck cars. Nightfall brought an unknown rescuer that pulled nearly everyone out. Finally, another rescuer from the Facebook group showed up to help with getting the original car to safety.

This was a crazy story, and it was more invovled in the thread itself. Groups on social media can be a great place to meet good folks that just might do anything for you.

These hikers were very prepared and still found themselves stuck. Shovels, chains, and a list of helpful items did not work. Luckily for them, they were also prepared for being stuck in the woods!

So, I guess the moral of the story would be: Though it's nice to rush in and lend a helping hand, Make sure you are qualified and prepared before you jump all the way in.