Local

4 Whatcom County backcountry rescue missions in 2025

Stories by Bellingham Herald journalists, with AI summarization

These curated articles highlight three dramatic rescue missions in Whatcom County's backcountry during 2025. They collectively underscore the challenges and risks associated with backcountry activities. Search-and-rescue teams exemplified coordination and response to extract two injured hikers in the Cascade Mountains.

A snowboarder required an overnight operation to be safely retrieved from Swift Creek, a hazardous area known for avalanche risks. Tragically, a local skier died after falling into deep snow, demonstrating the potential dangers of backcountry skiing. These incidents reflect the critical importance of timely rescue interventions and the inherent risks of mountain excursions.

NO. 1: CREW RESCUES BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARDER WHO SPENT THE NIGHT IN RUGGED WHATCOM COUNTY TERRAIN

Rescuers dropped supplies to the stranded man to get him through the night. | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

John Wells, 43, died Feb. 5, 2025, while backcountry skiing near Mount Baker. This photo of Wells was taken in 2013 at Whistler Blackcomb. By Rylan Schoen

NO. 2: BELLINGHAM MAN WHO DIED IN MOUNT BAKER BACKCOUNTRY WAS EXPERT SKIER, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER

John Wells also owned a masonry company based in Sumas. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

Two people were rescued via helicopter from the Cascade Mountains over a three-day period in June 2025. By Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

NO. 3: RESCUE CREWS EXTRACT TWO HIKERS FROM CASCADE MOUNTAINS OVER THREE-DAY PERIOD

Both were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center after being evacuated from the mountains. | Published June 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.