SEELEY LAKE - Two snowmobilers from Missoula spent the night in the Upper Marshall Creek Drainage at Big Rock after getting lost west of Marshall Lake. Using two fixed-wing airplanes the next morning, Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue (SSSAR) was able to locate the the snowmobilers . No one was injured and both riders rode their sleds out.
According to SSSAR Chief Gerry Connell, four snowmobilers from Missoula rode into the upper Marshall Creek drainage Wednesday, Feb. 10. When two of the riders had mechanical problems they rode out, leaving the other two to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The two continued to ride but were not familiar with the area.
The wife of one of the snowmobilers reported them missing at 1 a.m., Feb. 11. Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Hanson confirmed that their vehicle was still parked at the heliport parking area on Fawn Creek Road.
Deputy Hanson paged SSSAR at 6:30 a.m. so they could be ready to ride at first light. Local pilots Kal Kovatch and David Wallenburn started flying the area with a spotter to see if they could find the two snowmobilers. The snowmobilers reported that the planes flew over them three times before finally seeing them on the fourth pass.
“They told us that they figured they should build a fire so the planes could see them,” said Connell.
The spotters quickly picked up the fire and GPS coordinates were given to four SSSAR riders who headed in and guided the snowmobilers out. The two in the party that had left early the day before also rode with the SSSAR riders since they knew the general area where they’d left their fellow snowmobilers.
By 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, everyone was back safe at the heliport parking area.
Connell said that the Two Bear Air rescue helicopter was not used because the SSSAR aircraft were able to locate the snowmobilers.
“We would have needed it to be [daylight] to haul them out once they were found,” said Connell. “The way we did it was the proper way.”
The two that spent the night had a way to build a fire, had snacks and were dressed in snowmobile gear. While they were not comfortable out overnight, Connell said they were able to survive and not get hypothermic.
“If the weather had prevented the use of the aircraft, this would have been a very long and difficult search,” said Connell.
Connell reminds anyone recreating in the backcountry to, “Make sure you know the country you are riding in and take enough gear to spend the night so it won’t be your last night.”
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