Guard rescues group

TALKEETNA — Military rescuers came to the aid of a trio of snowmachiners Tuesday.

Alaska State Troopers say the group of riders was reported stranded at 3:43 p.m., Feb. 25 about 10 miles east of the Yoder Road trailhead.

Alaska Air National Guard says in a press release that the four riders became stuck, then one left to get help while the others waited.

“The snowmachiners, fearing their friend was lost or hurt, were able to communicate with the Alaska State Troopers via cellphone, and noted that they did not have any survival gear or means to start a fire,” the Air Guard reports.

The riders were cold and wet, and one of them was running out of medication, according to the press release.

It was getting dark, so troopers — who, in the wake of the downing of Helo-1 on a Talkeetna-area nighttime rescue of a snowmachiner in March 2013, no longer fly their helicopters at night — passed the mission off to the Alaska Air National Guard, which accepted it at 6 p.m.

The guard sent in two helicopters, an HC-130 King and a HH-60 Pave Hawk.

“Because of the rugged terrain, the HH-60 crew had to hoist the three snowmachiners into the Pave Hawk and then flew them back to Talkeetna, where they were released to the AST, declining medical treatment. The fourth snowmachiner was able to return on his own,” according to the guard’s press release.

The guard warned people recreating in the backcountry to go prepared to spend the night.

“You should always have a backpack with extra food, medications and a signal device. It’s always a great idea to take a 406 personal locator beacon, even for a short trip of a few hours, and always, always leave a trip plan with somebody,” Lt. Col. John Morse says in the guard’s press release.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270

or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.