Rescue crews help father and son hiker after spending cold, long night near Mt. Defiance



SNOQUALMIE PASS -- A father and son stranded overnight near Snoqualmie Pass had to be brought down the mountain by rescue crews Friday after spending a cold night in frigid temperatures.

The two got lost during what should have been a day hike. King County Search and Rescue said they might not have been dressed for the weather.

Investigators said the hikers began around 11 a.m. Thursday morning. The two are visiting the area on vacation, and when they didn’t show up Thursday night friends called 911.

Search crews began looking for them at 4 a.m. Friday morning.

Volunteer teams headed deep into the Alpine Lake Wilderness, searching for Henning and Paul Braess.

“The conditions up there are absolutely ideal for hypothermia,” said King County sheriff’s deputy Peter Linde.

The two were found along a cliff line near Little Lake Kula Kula about 4 miles into the woods.

“The report was they were very hypothermic and the father’s feet were very cold,” Linde said.

Crews worry rescue operations like this one will only repeat during the holiday weekend, searching for hikers who may not have been prepared for the worst-case scenario.

“It’s very common for us to get phone calls as the sun goes down,” Linde said.

Rescue crews said every hiker should at least bring extra clothing, food and water and a flashlight in case they get lost. Hikers need to always have a plan and to prepare for the worst.