PORT ANGELES — An injured hiker who was rescued by the Coast Guard on Wednesday after falling about 50 feet into a ravine in south-central Olympic National Park was in satisfactory condition at Olympic Medical Center on Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Clay McMullen, 19, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Caleb “CJ” Pine of Lanzhou, China, were evacuated by helicopter from remote Rustler Creek in the upper Quinault River drainage shortly after noon Wednesday.
Satisfactory condition
McMullen was listed in satisfactory condition, and Pine had been treated and discharged by Thursday, the spokeswoman said.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound was notified Wednesday morning that a personal locator beacon had been activated near the center of the park.
At the time, it was believed that only one hiker was stranded, Coast Guard officials said.
A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the Port Angeles Coast Guard station was launched at 12:09 p.m.
A MH-60 Jayhawk crew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., that was flying near Port Ludlow was diverted to assist.
The Dolphin crew lowered a rescue swimmer and a litter to transport McMullen, then discovered that Pine, who suffered minor injuries, was also in the ravine.
Park rangers coordinated the logistics for the rescue, which occurred about 12 miles from the nearest trailhead.
“Because this was such a remote area, there wasn’t time to get there on the ground,” said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
McMullen was able to establish communication with park rangers using a satellite phone. He reported that he had fallen into the ravine and that his condition was deteriorating.
Park personnel asked that the Coast Guard evacuate McMullen.
Both hikers were hoisted by the Dolphin crew and transported to the air station in Port Angeles.
From there, they were taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center.
