In an uncanny coincidence, the Chronicle News Service reported over the weekend that a Texas teen was rescued after falling 100 feet into the Ohanapecosh River at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday June 9. That was one day after another Texas teen fell into the Sol Duc River in Olympic National Park. That teen’s body has been located but has not been recovered.
The 18-year-old victim at Mount Rainier was reportedly on a trip to national parks on the West Coast with a group of friends after graduating from high school, just like the 18-year-old in Olympic National Park. Both were climbing and on rocks in off-limit locations.
The Mount Rainier man was standing on rocks off the trail near Silver Falls Trail taking photos when he fell at least 100 feet into the river.
Witnesses said the man, who has not been identified, fell into the cold water but was able to grab onto a branch to lift himself onto a tiny ledge close to the river. He was unable to move from that location.
Once the rescue team of National Park Service rangers arrived, they worked on the rescue for about two hours before, lifting the man from the rock using technical rope rescue techniques. The extent of his injuries is unknown.
Local residents said there has been a history of people fatally falling into the Ohanapecosh River, but they have never heard of someone surviving due to the speed, depth and freezing temperature of the water.
Ohanapecosh, named for an Upper Cowlitz Indian habitation site, is thought to mean “standing at the edge.”
The other man’s body has been located submerged under the Sol Duc Falls but has not been recovered due to the river’s treacherous conditions.
He fell June 8 after he was last seen walking across slippery rocks at the top of the 50-foot waterfall, according to park officials.
(Photo obtained from witnesses by the Chronicle )