Successful Find, 2 Missing Skiers on Saddleback Located

2 Missing skiers who spent the night on Saddleback Mountain's south face have been located and are safe. They were found, cold, hungry and tired on a high elevation snowmobile trail after hiking down the mountain. The pair left the Saddleback Ski resort sometime yesterday for some unauthorized out-of-bounds skiing. The skiers told rescuers that they spent the night walking in circles to stay warm. Rescuers participating in the search and rescue operation included, Saddleback Ski Patrol, Maine Warden Service, Rangeley Fire Dept,  NorthStar, Mahoosic Search and Rescue and Franklin Search & Rescue. After the operation was concluded, some rescuers headed to Sugarloaf Mountain to assist in a separate and unrelated search for a missing teenage skier.

(All photos Jim Albert)

The rescue team composed of MWS, RFD and FSAR and MFS personel made a 13 mile snowmobile ride before connecting with the skiers. One of the 2 male skiers is seen here walking toward the snowmobiles. Cold, dehydrated and hungry, the skiers appeared otherwise in good shape.   

 FSAR team members supplied food and water for the hungry skiers.

 Rangeley Fire Department's new mobile command post was used at the staging area at Rev-it-up Sports. RFD snowmobiles and patient sleds were also very helpful in shuttling rescuers to the remote scene.

3-4-2013 around 9 p.m. from FSAR president Yates:

2 MALE HIKERS ARE REPORTED TO BE MISSING ON THE BACKSIDE OF SADDLEBACK MTN.  DETAILS ARE SKETCHY.  ME. WARDEN SERVICE AND SADDLEBACK SKI PATROL ARE ON SCENE, BUT ARE STANDING DOWN AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS: HIGH WINDS, BLOWING SNOW, AND LIMITED VISIBILITY.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE WARDEN ON SCENE INDICATING THAT FSAR MEMBERS WILL BE ON STANDBY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE TOWNS AWAITING A POSSIBLE CALLOUT TOMORROW MORNING, MARCH 4.I WILL UPDATE VIA CELL AND EMAIL IN THE MORNING. NO NEED TO CONTACT ME AT THIS TIME, HOPEFULLY THE SITUATION WILL BE RESOLVED