Rescue in Progress for Injured Hiker near Mt. Pugh

Snohomish County Search and Rescue teams are in the process of rescuing an injured hiker near Mt. Pugh, east of the Mountain Loop Hwy. It is believed that the hiker sustained serious injuries after falling about 50. The victim is a 28 year-old male and is reported to be conscious.
Search and rescue teams were mobilized when the incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. today and the helicopter rescue team arrived at his location around 3:30 p.m. The victim will either be transported from the area by air, conditions permitting, or packed out by ground. Volunteers from several mountaineering groups, including Everett Mountain Rescue, Pierce County Mountain Rescue, and Olympic Mountain Rescue, are en route or on scene to assist with the rescue.

Clarification: the hiker is believed to have fallen 50 ft.

Just received word that SnoHAWK attempted a “hoist” operation but had to abort due to weather. Victim will most likely be packed out via ground. Terrain is steep and remote. Victim is about ¼ of a mile from the summit of Mt. Pugh.

I apologize for the significant delay in getting information out. Like with most of our search and rescue operations in the back country, there is limited and/or no cell coverage in the area and key personnel are busy coordinating rescue efforts.