On Sunday, Sept. 27, at approximately 3:51 p.m., Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a 911 call reporting a hiker fell from a cliff above Leigh Lake. The 24 year old man from Shelton, WA had been with a group hiking down from Snowshoe Peak. The fall was described as an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 feet and the group reported he was not moving. A helicopter from Spokane Regional Air Support Unit and members of David Thompson Search and Rescue responded to the area. The helicopter arrived, but due to the lack of daylight remaining, were unable to locate the hiker before dark.
On Monday, Sept. 28, David Thompson Search and Rescue members returned to the area, located the hiker and relayed his location. The hiker was lying on a ledge about 1,900 feet above Leigh Lake. The hiker had fallen an estimated 500 feet. The helicopter from Spokane Regional Air Support Unit returned. Due to the location, the air medics were unable to safely retrieve the hiker by themselves. The helicopter transported search and rescue members up to a safe area to work, and they were able to access the hiker on ropes and recovered the body.
Photo: Pixabay
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