In a high-tech search to find buried treasure, a hiker fell as far as 30 feet while bushwacking off trail in the Gifford Lakes area Oct. 24, injuring his knee and requiring an emergency night rescue.
Fortunately, the global positioning system he was using to find the cache allowed him to tell the King County Sheriff’s search and rescue crew his exact geographic location.The hiker, 43-year-old John Murphy of Pierce County, was geocaching when the fall occurred, King County Sheriff’s deputy Richard Barton said.
Murphy was taken to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue and has since been released.
Geocachers use GPS units, combined with clues usually found on online forums, to find small containers buried under dirt or rocks. Inside the containers is a logbook and several small souvenirs and trinkets for the participants to take and trade.
After injuring his knee, Murphy called search and rescue on his cell phone around 7 p.m., Barton said.
Because it was a nighttime rescue, it took about two hours to assemble a five-person crew. Each crew member used night vision goggles, which provide high visibilty but allow wearers only 40 degrees sight range, said Barton, who led the team.
“Night hoist evolutions are one of the most technical things we do,” he said.
The King County Sheriff’s search and rescue team received its night rescue certification in July. Saturday was its second actual night rescue.
Murphy had head lacerations but told rescuers that he had not lost consciousness, Barton said.
Because he was unable to walk for three hours before the crew arrived, hypothermia had started to set in, and he was shaking, according to Barton.
After splinting his leg, rescuers helped hoist Murphy to the King County Sheriff’s helicopter in a rescue harness. Eastside Fire & Rescue then took him to Overlake Hospital, which reported that he has been released.
Barton said that even though Murphy was off marked trails, he was extremely prepared.
“To his credit, he was well-equipped to be out there,” he said. “He was well-outfitted with lights, a full cell phone battery, materials to make a fire and the GPS. “
Tara Ballenger: 392-6434, ext. 248 or [email protected]. Comment at www.SnoValleyStar.com.
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