An 18 year old snowboarder from Burlington Vermont was rescued by Gallatin County Search and Rescue skiers after getting lost while riding at Bridger Bowl with a friend.
ABC FOX Montana reports the snowboarder was unfamiliar with the area. He took a wrong turn and ended up OB and had to grab a tree to keep from falling off 150 foot cliff on the west side of Saddle Peak.
Thankfully rescuers were able to reach him in time and set up a rope harness to lower him to the bottom of the cliff within 30 minutes. Nice Save.
Here’s the official press release from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office:
“Shortly after 12 PM on Tuesday, February 27, the Bridger Bowl Ski Patrol received a report of an 18-year-old male snowboarder who had made a navigation error and ended up stuck at the top of a cliff on the west side of Saddle Peak, outside of the Bridger Bowl Ski Area. The Burlington VT man’s friend went for help, and Gallatin County Search and Rescue skiers reached the site before 1 PM. They found him clinging to a tree at the top of an approximately 150-foot high cliff. The decision was made to set up a rope system and lower him to the bottom of the cliff. By 1:30 he had been lowered and was escorted back to the ski hill by Bridger Bowl Ski Patrollers. The man was unfamiliar with the out-of-bounds route that he took. Fortunately, he was not injured.
Sheriff Gootkin would like to remind recreationists to familiarize themselves with the areas they intend to visit and to bring appropriate equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable day.”
Yep, definitely “familiarize” yourself you ding dongs. Stay safe, use common sense, have fun.
images from bridger instagram
