JSAR and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were alerted after 5pm Saturday for an InReach SOS along the standard climbing route for the Brothers. One climber was reported to have symptoms of heat injury bordering on heat stroke. Four SAR volunteers started up the Lena Lake Trail toward the coordinates.
After a lull in satellite communication with the party (InReaches do not always have good service in the Olympics), new coordinates showed them moving down the climbers route. They were able to advise JCSO that the team of three was hydrating with water and electrolytes and moving slowly.
The first JSAR team reached the descending party beyond Lena Lake. The subject reported improving heat-illness symptoms but some chest discomfort thought to be muscular in nature. After an evaluation and further hydration, all continued down trail. Upon reaching the lake, the subject’s chest tightness had worsened.
The decision was made to shift to an air evacuation. The subject was walked to the next suitable hoist zone and reevaluated, and a hoist-capable helicopter with advanced-life-support capability was requested. The remaining members of the climbing party hiked down with the subject’s pack and keys to shuttle vehicles.
A helicopter SAR crew from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island accepted the mission and performed the hoist operation from the overlook at Lena Lake. The subject was flown to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment. The JSAR teams hiked out, and the mission was closed around 3am Sunday.