Date: July 21, 2006
Contact: Melissa Wilson, 406 888-7895
WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials at Glacier National Park report that park staff rescued a visitor who had fallen to a ledge above Hidden Lake last night, July 20. The visitor, Ben Evans, 22, from Michigan, only sustained cuts and bruises from the fall.
Evans was believed to be taking a short-cut off-trail to Hidden Lake from the Overlook when he stumbled and fell about 15 feet to a ledge. He was unable to get off the ledge, and began calling for help. A fisherman heard his call and notified the Logan Pass Visitor Center around 6 p.m.
The rescue was a team effort and included employees from law enforcement, trail crew, maintenance, interpretation, resource management, and a park volunteer. Rescuers determined that Evans could not be accessed from below and that a technical rescue would be required. A team of four rappelled approximately 100 feet to the ledge and assessed Evans. Evans was placed in a seat harness and he was lowered about 80 feet to the base of the cliff via a tandem rappel. Evans and the rescuers hiked back to Logan Pass, where they arrived just before midnight.
Park officials remind visitors to stay on designated trails, not to hike alone, and to leave an itinerary with someone.
