Hikers rescued from Alaska glacier after week-long stranding

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 11 (UPI) -- Three hikers who were stranded on Alaska's Knik Glacier for a week were rescued by Alaska Air National Guard Friday.

The hikers, Benjamin Still, 35, Danielle Varney, 32, and Sean Cahoon, 31, all from Alaska, were plucked from the glacier after becoming stranded April 3. None were seriously injured. The hikers expected to be on the glacier for two days, but when the weather turned sour they couldn't make their scheduled pickup.

"They're stuck at approximately 8,500 feet in elevation," Lt. Col. John Morse, deputy director of the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center.said as the rescue mission began.

The ordeal began once the hikers discovered they were stranded. Using a satellite device with texting capability, they contacted a friend who, in turn, contacted authorities.

Rescuers attempted to drop supplies over the area where the hikers were stranded. Morse said the rescue attempts were hampered by increasingly bad weather conditions.

"They dropped three bundles over two passes, but the climbers were unable to reach any of them," Morse said. "They're typically not seeing the ground, flying in instrument conditions, surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks, attempting to drop supplies to the climbers who are stuck at 8,500 feet. This is a pretty complicated mission."

After numerous attempts, rescuers were able to ski to the hikers, who were taken to a nearby hospital.

"We had to take a helicopter to the glacier," Alaska National Guard spokeswoman Kalei Rupp said. "And then two para rescue men were able to ski to the hikers, who appeared to have minor frostbite."

Knik Glacier is located about 50 miles east of Anchorage, near the Chugach Mountains. It is one of the largest glaciers in south central Alaska and known for its diverse ecosystem.