Lost hiker spends the night in Idaho wilderness. Then his wife’s concern saves him
Published at
Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman
SPOKANE, Washington (Idaho Statesman) — A lost hiker spent the night in the Idaho wilderness after going on a trek that started in Washington, authorities said.
His wife’s concerned call to rescuers prompted search efforts, saving him the next day.
The 65-year-old man began his hike at a trailhead at Liberty Lake Regional Park at about 9 a.m. May 1 in Washington, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
His wife became worried when he didn’t return home, and she reported him missing at about 8 p.m., deputies said. She said he is an experienced hiker.
Rescuers found his parked vehicle, but couldn’t find him. They also searched throughout the night, deputies said.
The next day, a flight crew spotted him from a helicopter in a remote area in Idaho at about 1:20 p.m.
He was hoisted into the helicopter and was tired but in stable condition, deputies said.
Liberty Lake Regional Park is near the Washington-Idaho border, about 20 miles east of Spokane.