News Update

POSTED: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

Body of B.C. man found in Mt. Baker wilderness

The body of a 54-year-old man from Coquitlam, B.C., was found in the Mt. Baker wilderness Monday, Nov. 16, close to where he was last seen by his wife.

The man was reported missing at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday. He was found by search and rescue workers at about 5:40 p.m. the next evening. His name is being withheld until family members have been notified, said Deputy George Ratayczak of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.

The man was found buried in about 18 inches of snow 60 to 80 yards outside of the backcountry gate of the Mt. Baker wilderness. He apparently had fallen off a cornice and was buried upside down, Ratayczak said.

The man had been skiing and his wife was snowshoeing on a route toward Artist Point southwest of the Mt. Baker ski area when they decided to turn around due to bad weather, Ratayczak said.

The wife fell about 20 feet on their return trip. She saw her husband about 20 yards above her, but once she made her way back to the route she could not find him, Ratayczak said.

She searched the area and then went back to the Mt. Baker Ski Area for help. The Ski Patrol did a sweep of the ski area with no luck. They called 911 to request search and rescue at about 2:30 p.m. The man's wife had last seen him at about 1 p.m., Ratayczak said.

Searchers responded to the scene and searched the route toward Artist Point down into the area of Bagley Lakes and the Swift Creek drainage.

Heavy rain and winds, along with a high avalanche danger in some areas, made the search on both days more difficult. The search was suspended at 11:30 p.m. Sunday but resumed at 7:30 a.m. Monday.