Hiker rescued by helicopter near Mount Baker Saturday in Whatcom County
A hiker was rescued by helicopter and airlifted to a hospital around 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, near Mount Baker, according to a news release from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
The 55-year-old female hiker was apparently hiking the Chain Lakes Trail northeast of Mount Baker when she began experiencing heat-related issues, the release said.
A Search and Rescue team from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, as well as Whatcom County Fire and Rescue Districts 19 and 14, responded to the rescue, according to the release.
Crews found the woman with a group near several trees on the slope of Mount Hermann.
The hiker was taken to St. Joseph hospital in Bellingham, the release said.
Temperatures near Mount Baker were in the 70s around midday Saturday, with sunny skies, according to National Weather Service data.
The Chain Lakes Loop is a moderately difficult trail that spans 6.5 miles round-trip and climbs more than 1,800 feet in elevation, according to the Washington Trails Association.
This was the 34th mission this year conducted by Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, including nine medical evacuations, 19 rescues and six searches, according to the release.
This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 2:07 PM.
