3 Sledders Missing. Helena, MT/Dalton Mountain

[summitone]

FYI for you locals. Hope all ends well.


Search for 3 snowmobilers under way near Helena

By Gazette News Services
HELENA - A search-and-rescue team is looking for three snowmobilers who failed to return home from a trip on the Continental Divide near Helena.

The Helena Independent Record reports on its Web site that Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue is looking for the trio in the Dalton Mountain area north of Helena.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton says the three set out on Sunday morning to retrieve a snowmobile that had broken down. They failed to return as heavy snow fell. Temperatures overnight dropped to the low 20s.

Dutton says it's likely that additional searchers will be called from neighboring Jefferson County. The sheriff says aviation may be used, as well.

 

[Scott]

We have clear skies today...should help the search.

 

[summitone]

Must be clear there, too. They have a helicopter out looking.

 

[jaysonfreerider]

hope all goes well!

 

[go high fast]

A helicopter spotted three missing snowmobilers north of Helena shortly before noon today, ending a search that began nearly 10 hours ago when the three men failed to return home.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said it took rescuers about two hours to reach the three men due to deep snow left by Sunday’s spring storm.

It wasn’t yet known what caused the three snowmobilers — identified as Rich Proul, 49, Rich Hall, 49, and Nick Peterson, 23 — to become stranded along the Continental Divide north of Helena.

“The helicopter found them soon after it got up,” Dutton said. “They’re in good condition.”

Members of Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue deployed at 2 a.m. Monday morning.

According to Dutton, the trio left early Sunday morning to retrieve their broken-down sled. But a winter storm arrived early in the day, delivering nearly two feet of heavy snow to upper elevations.

Overnight temperatures dropped to around 18 degrees. The men reportedly lit a fire to keep warm.

“They had plenty of time to get in and get out,” said Dutton before the men were located. “The terrain in that area requires an expert skill level. It’s very steep terrain.”

Elkhorn Mountain Search and Rescue out of Jefferson County helped in the search, along with a helicopter from Beck Aviation. More details of the rescue are expected later today.





looks good.

 

[Cheekster]

Hmmmm

Who gets the bill ?
expensive ride home, and they probably will not hook onto the dead sled..






not much cell service up there, story should be good.

Helena IR


Suz should have call me.

 

[AkSledHed]

Either way, glad they were found safe.

 

[decarls]

I'm curious about this too... in this situation, who gets the bill?

Glad to hear everyone is o.k. and I'm sure money is the last thing on everyone's mind when you're missing someone but in the end someone has to pay for fuel and time.

 

[Bighairybeast]

Glad to hear positive outcome.

Seems like ideal SPOT situation. If in trouble 911 provides fast rescue and the optional insurance helps pay for it. Help button could have brought more friends to help. OK could have delayed search if they were safe and prepared to spend the night thus saving S&A costs and stress on families.

Don't know the details but everyone should have SPOT in the backcountry.

 

[summitone]

They should have left that POS Cat up there.







This one turned out good.

 

[KFD070]

Who gets the bill ?
expensive ride home, and they probably will not hook onto the dead sled..






not much cell service up there, story should be good.

Helena IR


Suz should have call me.

Good question for thought! Of course we're all glad that they were found safe, but I personally don't see this as a situation like a snowboarder intentionally leaving the marked boundaries of a ski hill. I feel boarders who do that should definitely have to foot the entire bill for their rescue. As for sledders, what are our boundaries? If I was in a life or death situation I would surely pay for my rescue. What does everyone think?

 

[JROD]

Does anyone know where these guys were riding? I grew up about 2 miles up Dalton Mountain Rd. Spent a lot of time back there. Glad to hear everyone's okay.

 

[M-niner]

Glad to hear positive outcome.

Seems like ideal SPOT situation. If in trouble 911 provides fast rescue and the optional insurance helps pay for it. Help button could have brought more friends to help. OK could have delayed search if they were safe and prepared to spend the night thus saving S&A costs and stress on families.

Don't know the details but everyone should have SPOT in the backcountry.

Glad everything turned out good for these guys. I just ordered a SPOT when they were giving them away for free with a 1yr activation. $7.95 a year will get you $50,000 worth of S&R on up to two extractions a year. There has gotta be some fine print to this. Hope the device works as advertised, been reading some sketchy reviews on them.

 

[JHG]

I think that a portion of your MT PERM sticker cost goes to search and rescue efforts. I had a couple friends lost in the west fork 2 years ago, they were on there way out when S&R showed up to help them. No one was billed.

 

[XXL]

In Montana the Sheriff in each county is responsible for Search and Rescue and is liable for the costs. Most counties have passed mill levies to cover search and rescue. As far as I know the lost person is not leagally liable for the costs no matter how irresponsible they are. The taxpayers in the county pay the bill.

 

[dagmccall]

In most states and for sure here in Idaho SAR cost are covered by snowmobile stickers , hunting fees and general tax funds from the state. SAR members recieve reinbursment for cost on using equitment fuel, oil, and breakdowns related to search. The sheriffs are responsible for the saftey of people in there county. So they run the searches and provide the insurance for SAR members and at times some of the cost. The main point to remember that the people of SAR groups recieve no money for there time, loss of work income , equitment members buy to be prepared.They are good people out to help so be sure to Thank them when you see them working .
Does it sound like I do this ? I have been for the last 12 years and just love it . If you thing you would like to call your local Sheriff and ask them about your local group .

 

[Bounty Hunter]

This is where a spot tracker would help. Every one should have one.