Mt. Logan Rescue - Tim Jones SAR MGR NSR

On the morning of May 27th 2005, I received a haunting satellite phone call just as I was in the mist of initiating a massive search for a missing American businessman who had gone hiking on our local Grouse Mtn. on May 25th.

This satellite phone call was made by NSR member Gord Ferguson, who was on the move from Summit Plateau on Mt. Logan with another expedition member, Linda Bily, in order to save three fellow NSR members trapped on Prospector Col at 18,000ft. All three were now near death from hypothermia. On the previous day Don Jardine's, Alex Snigurowicz's and Erik Bjarnson's tent was destroyed by 110km winds and they had lost almost all their gear. They had been able to dig a small snow cave but it was not enough to fend off hypothermia and the effects of frostbite.

Gord was asking for any help I could initiate from my end as the situation was dire. An epic rescue ensued following Gord's call as well as several calls during the day from  him and fellow NSR member Barry Mason. You did a great job guys!

I will not try and explain here what chain of events led up to how our three members almost died of hypothermia as well as suffering the long term effects of frostbite, other than to simply and frankly state that mistakes were made.

They would all have died if it had not been for following three miracles:

• First and foremost, the weather cleared and winds abated and stayed as such until the whole rescue was completed several hours later. If the weather had not cleared the other two miracles would not have happened.
• Secondly, Gord Ferguson and Linda Bily were able to make it to their location at great personal risk, pitch a tent and get to our three members into it. They brewed hot Gatorade and with warming temperatures the members were saved...temporarily
• Lastly, a high altitude Lama helicopter from Denali piloted by Jim Hood of Evergreen helicopters plucked each member off individually using a special basket slung under the helicopter. The Lama then flew them to a staging area at 6,000ft on the west side of Mount Logan, where then they were subsequently airlifted to Anchorage Alaska.

If all three of these miracles had not happened, our team would have brought back home 3 bodies.

North Shore Rescue would like to thank the following organizations, people and things who made the rescue possible and provided care and compassion afterwards :

• The Weather (god bless you!!)
• Expedition members Gord Ferguson, Linda Bily, Barry Mason and Isabel Budke
• Daryl Miller , Senior Park Ranger Denali
• Evergreen Helicopter's Jim Hood and his Lama Helicopter
• Alaska Air National Guard
• Bob Makkonen, Trans North Helicopters , Yukon
• Providence Hospital , Anchorage Alaska
• Aunt Jessica and her son Frank, from Anchorage
• Vancouver General Hospital Burn Ward
• North Shore Health Region Home Support
• Les Cleverly, Ken Borak Air
• Stuart and Dela McLaughin, Grouse Resorts
• United Air Lines Ticket Agents, Anchorage
• Air Canada Flight Crew
• BC Ambulance Service Paramedics

Even though they played a peripheral role, we would also like to thank Parks Canada for there efforts towards this rescue.

	Evergreen Helicopters High Altitude Eurocopter S315B "Lama" helicopter flown by veteran pilot Jim Hood. This dedicated rescue helicopter was tasked through the initiative Daryl Miller Senior Park Ranger, Denali National Park . The Lama was absolutely instrumental in saving the lives of the 3 NSR climbers. The helicopter responded several hundred kilometres along with a support fixed wing aircraft carrying the rescue basket. The Lama had the rescue basket slung under it at the staging area at 6000ft on the west side of Mt. Logan and then  performed the 3 consecutive round trip rescue missions lasting several hours to and from 18,000ft on Prospector Col. NSR and in particular Don, Alex and Erik, deeply appreciate your flying skills Jim and your leadership Daryl !!
	The unsung hero's, NSR member Gordy Ferguson and Linda Bily. Gordy and Linda provided the first key component in this rescue by being able to break through deep snow from another base camp. With them they brought a tent that the 3 NSR members were put into and given warm fluids. This action saved their lives. Photo above shows Gordy (middle) with NSR member Don Jardine (left) and Alex Snigurowicz (right). After they had been re-warmed. Linda Bily Photo.
	NSR members assisted one at a time by Gordy Ferguson and Linda Bily into rescue basket under hovering Lama at 18,000ft. Linda Bily Photo.
	.	NSR climber Alex Snigurowicz on his way out for a 15 minute ride from 18,000ft-6000ft to meet the awaiting US Alaska Air National Guard Pave Hawk Helicopter, staged on the west side of Mt. Logan. Linda Bily Photo.
Barry Mason and Isabel Budke communicate via satellite phone, vital weather information to the outside world during the first critical hours of this rescue.
	Photo archive of the aircraft that flew the 3 NSR members from the staging area on the west side of Mt Logan to Anchorage Alaska for specialised medical care. These aircraft were from 102 Rescue Squadron of the US Alaska Air National Guard. For this rescue, the special operations Pave Hawk Helicopter was air refueled by a KC130 Hercules Aircraft while bringing the 3 NSR members to Anchorage.
	Trans North Bell 206B Jet Ranger flown by pilot Bob Makkonen, who supported the rescue operation.
NSR Members recovering at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
	NSR member Alex Snigurowicz	NSR member Don Jardine
Don with Vancouver Sun Edition	NSR member Erik Bjarnson	Don and wife Jane who flew to Anchorage to be with him.
Don, Erik and Alex looking a much better after a few days at the Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
Eriks Hands After Surgery at VGH Burn Ward
Left hand finger amputations	Right hand fingers tissue regeneration after fingers and had been sown into groin