Anyone know Dan Witkowski? (PNW maggots)

[Schmear]

Calling all PNW maggots. There was an area-wide search for this guy all day at Alpental today. He was last seen Wednesday at 9 a.m. Any information would greatly help the search effort.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ebskier01.html

[Samwich]

I don't know him, but I hope he's okay.

[dipstik]

I don't know him either, but his last name is eerily similar to mine.

hope he is ok.

[Schmear]

^^

[Jumper Bones]

bumpitty bump bump

[KQ]

No word on Dan but this just came in:

Two Seattlites have been killed in an avalanche on Soldier Mountain Idaho, the Camas County Sheriff says.

Not good!

[Squirrel99]

I hate hearing news like this. Thinking lots of positive thoughts, but the outlook seems more somber.

related subject material on Alp bc today in Gaper thread.

[Dr. Crash]

Originally posted by KQ
No word on Dan but this just came in:

Two Seattlites have been killed in an avalanche on Soldier Mountain Idaho, the Camas County Sheriff says.

Not good!

Not good. If that's the story I've heard today, it's even worse than not good. Someone from UW was at the bottom of the cabin with his wife, kids upstairs. Avalanche comes in, fills in bottom. Kids can't save parents. Hope I misunderstood something because that does suck...

drC

[iceman]

Read Bullet's post. Then say "It can't happen to me" ten times.

If you still don't get it, repeat until you do.

[irul&ublo]

Heard on the radio today (I get KOMO at night here in Norcal), that the cops/S&R had interviewd at least two people who saw him heading BC. S&R said that on a good day, the places he was talking about going to were 10+ hour trips. They're sending in helis.

Good thoughts to Dan.

[Dr. Crash]

So WTF was that guy doing on a trip in the BC alone? I mean, I wish him well, but what happened to common sense? Especially 10+ hours trips if that's right.

drC

[iceman]

Even in America, people are still often allowed to do what they want to do.

[Dr. Crash]

Hey, I like and value my right to die a stupid death as much as anybody else. As long as I don't then put a search and rescue party at risk...

drC

[iceman]

Fair enough.

I guess I have no reply to that.

[Sublime]

I think for the first time ever I am happy to not have to worry about avys or getting lost. Out west seems like this little fish might be out leagued for a long time when I head out.

[Schmear]

DrC brings up a good point. A large search team including King County Search and Rescue and the Alpental Ski Patrol (both pros and volleys, my father-in-law and some good friends of mine included) have put themselves at risk looking for Dan for three days now. None of them would complain, it's what they do. But given this week's snow conditions, it's a risky escapade for all involved.

I'm sure Dan never meant to get lost or draw a search party, but those are the consequences of his actions. Sad indeed.

[Buster Highmen]

I can't imagine going up the Snow Lakes Trail or Melakwa or any of those drainages in a storm. Going up these valleys is not a simple bc trip, they all contain major slide potential.
I wonder what goes through their minds when people go up there on storm days.

[detroit]

My prayers go out.

Hoping for the best!

[Schmear]

Latest news:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ualmie03m.html

[Stikki]

THEY FOUND HIM ALIVE!!!

see story below

[Samwich]

holy shit! that's awesome. I definitely thought that guy was dead. That is so lucky.

[Big Tim]

Man that is a GREAT news

[Stikki]

Skier, missing from Alpental for four days, found alive

By Gene Johnson
The Associated Press

SEATTLE — A 25-year-old skier missing for four days and four freezing nights in the central Cascade Mountains was found alive but hypothermic today after rescuers spotted his fresh tracks by helicopter.

"It's unbelievable — four tough nights in the teens with no food, no water, just normal ski gear and a helmet," said King County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Fuda.

Scores of people had been looking for Ellensburg resident Dan Witkowski since he was reported missing Thursday. Witkowski had failed to meet up with friends on New Year's Eve and his car was found parked at the Alpental ski area in Snoqualmie Pass, off Interstate 90.

About a foot of snow fell in the area on Saturday, and searchers feared that if they didn't find him in the clear daylight Sunday, they might not find him at all. A bad storm is expected Monday.

The sheriff's office sent up three helicopters with spotters familiar with the terrain on board. Northwest of the ski area, they recognized intermittent ski and boot tracks in the new snow.

A team of six rescuers on skis set out for the area, but because they had to hike over much of the terrain, it took them more than seven hours. They reached Witkowski as dusk fell after 4 p.m. Fuda did not know how far they had traveled.

The helicopters might never have flown over the area had not two independent witnesses come forward to say they had seen someone matching Witkowski's description heading northwest out-of-bounds last Wednesday.

"Neither of those guys watched the news or knew anybody was missing," Fuda said. "Early this morning we knew we had one last day to search, since the weather's supposed to turn again tomorrow, and we just searched the best we could and sent the helicopters up there."

When the rescuers found Witkowski, they called a military helicopter to pluck him from the slopes and take him to Harborview Medical Center. Fuda said he did not have further details on Witkowski's condition, but he was able to walk and ski Sunday.

[Squirrel99]

AWESOME news! I was in the bar at Alpe around 4pm when word came through he was found alive. Everyone was pretty ecstatic and exicted to hear that. Big congrats to the search parties and rescue teams!

[char]

Wow. Thank god we had this clear day so they could put choppers up. Seems like everytime I got on the lift on Saturday somebody was talking about him. I can't wait to hear how he survived.

Big thanks to all the search and rescue guys.