Two hikers were airlifted from Mt. Ellinor on Sunday after falling in an avalanche chute, according to an announcement posted by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office on its public Facebook page at this link. The incident occurred in the Olympic Mountains southwest of Hood Canal, a region frequently visited by outdoor enthusiasts from across western Washington, including many from Cowlitz County.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched shortly after 1:15 p.m. on Sunday to reports that a 51‑year‑old woman had fallen in an avalanche chute and sustained abdominal injuries that responders described as involving internal bleeding. A 16‑year‑old boy who attempted to reach her was also injured and became stranded on the mountain with a knee injury.

Initial efforts to reach the pair by air were hampered by deteriorating weather. The King County Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy its Guardian One helicopter, but the crew aborted due to unsafe conditions. Ground teams from the Mason County Special Operations Team, Mason County Search & Rescue, and Olympic Mountain Rescue began making their way toward the injured hikers as visibility and terrain slowed operations.

By 8:56 p.m., a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter reached the scene and began hoist operations. Both patients were successfully lifted aboard by approximately 9:36 p.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office’s public reporting.

Authorities stated that rescue crews faced challenging terrain and winter weather during the hours‑long response and asked the public to avoid the area during active rescue operations. As of Monday, no additional details had been released regarding the patients’ conditions.

Why this matters

Mt. Ellinor is one of the most popular winter scrambles in the Olympic Mountains, drawing hikers from throughout southwest Washington, including Longview and Kelso. Recurring winter rescues on the mountain highlight the risks posed by steep snowfields, shifting avalanche conditions, and rapidly changing weather. Local search‑and‑rescue teams in Cowlitz County often work alongside neighboring counties and federal agencies during major mountain incidents, and this operation illustrates the level of coordination required when weather limits access and injuries are severe.

Sources

MyNorthwest: 2 hikers airlifted from Mt. Ellinor after fall in avalanche chute

Mason County Sheriff’s Office: Public statement on rescue operations