+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service     | Mount Rainier      |   | 55210 238^th^     |
|                           | National Park      |   | Avenue E.         |
| U.S. Department of the    |                    |   |                   |
| Interior                  | Superintendent's   |   | Ashford, WA       |
|                           | Office             |   | 98304-9751        |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2211      |
|                           |                    |   | phone             |
|                           |                    |   |                   |
|                           |                    |   | 360-569-2170 fax  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---+-------------------+

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**Mount Rainier National Park** News Release

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  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

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For Immediate Release (June 11, 2008)

Kevin Bacher, 360-569-2211 ext. 3385

### Injured hikers airlifted from Camp Muir with help of Army Reserve team

Two hikers suffering from hypothermia and frostbite were airlifted from
Camp Muir on Mount Rainier at 6:15 this morning, with the help of a
Chinook helicopter operated by members of the Army Reserve's 159^th^
Aviation Regiment at Fort Lewis. They were taken to Madigan Hospital and
from there by ground transportation to Harborview Medical Center in
Seattle.

The injured hikers were Mrs. Mariana Burceag and Mr. Daniel Vlad of
Bellevue, Washington. A third hiker, Mr. Eduard Burceag, the husband of
Mrs. Burceag, died of injuries sustained in the incident. His body is
being removed off the mountain this afternoon.

The three individuals are experienced mountaineers who had visited Camp
Muir in the past and have enjoyed hiking and climbing on Mount Rainier
for many years. Two had previously reached the summit. On Monday
afternoon, they became trapped on the Muir Snowfield by a sudden
blizzard while descending from a day hike to Camp Muir. Early Tuesday
morning a 911 emergency call came through to park rangers advising them
of overdue hikers on the Muir snowfield. Due to heavy, drifting snow,
seventy miles per hour winds, and near zero visibility, a rescue team
was unable to safely initiate a search at that time. At about 7:15am,
one member of the party found his way to Camp Muir and was able to
direct a search team, made up of climbing guides and park rangers
stationed at Camp Muir, to the party's location near Anvil Rock. All
three of the stranded hikers were under shelter by 8:30am. Three
doctors, who were at Camp Muir as clients of one of the park's guide
services, provided immediate medical care. Mr. Burceag was unconscious
and unresponsive upon arrival. Rescuers were unable to revive him.

The shelter at Camp Muir is warm, dry, and well-stocked with food and
water. A carry-out rescue could have been initiated following the
rescue, however, rangers and doctors determined it would be in the best
interest of the patients to spend the night and wait for a break in the
weather to safely fly the next day. This morning dawned clear above Camp
Muir, with heavy clouds below. The Chinook helicopter arrived at 6am
and, in approximately 15 minutes, lifted Mrs. Burceag and Mr. Vlad,
along with one of the park's climbing rangers, into the helicopter by
hoist and cable. Those on scene report that the cloud ceiling had risen
somewhat by the time the helicopter arrived, and that the rescue
occurred amid swirling clouds that threatened to engulf the mountain in
fog.

The Chinook helicopter was operated by members of the U.S. Army Reserve,
"A" Company, 5^th^ Battalion, 159^th^ Aviation Regiment at Fort Lewis,
Washington. \[Note: Yesterday's press release attributing the helicopter
to the 101^st^ Airborne Division was incorrect.\] This reserve unit has
worked with park officials at Mount Rainier on numerous rescues over the
years, and has been invaluable as a backup resource when private vendors
are unavailable or lack the capabilities required by the mission. In
this case, for instance, the Chinook was able to fly out of Fort Lewis
by instruments, despite the low clouds and poor visibility that grounded
commercial helicopters. Over the years, the Reserve unit's helicopter
has been modified in several ways to accommodate the needs of Mount
Rainier's climbers: with a fixed line inside the aircraft for climbers
to clip into; with removable plywood flooring to accommodate climbers'
crampons; with a special hoist for lifting individuals into the
helicopter; and with flight helmets for use by park rangers, outfitted
with avionics for communicating with the helicopter team.

Every year, between 10,000 and 12,000 people climb Mount Rainier and
only about half of them reach the summit. Thousands more take day hikes
or overnight camping trips to Camp Muir (48 were registered there on
Tuesday night). These individuals are attracted by the majesty of the
mountain, the wilderness experience, and the breathtaking beauty of
mornings like this one, high above the clouds on the side of the
volcano. Like many things in life, there are inherent risks in the
wilderness. Sudden storms like Monday's blizzard can catch even the most
experienced and prepared hikers off guard. Visitors should check in with
park rangers for the latest information about conditions on the
mountain, and should always be prepared for an emergency.

\- NPS -