Overdue Hiker Spends Night in Enchantments Before Being Rescued

An overdue hiker had to be rescued from the Enchantments Monday morning after attempting to hike the 19-mile Enchantment Loop the day before.

According to the Chelan County Emergency Management, a 42-year-old California woman was hiking with a group of strangers and fell behind, eventually needing to stay the night in the wilderness.

The next morning, a group hiking through the area came upon the woman, who was mildly hypothermic and unable to go on.

"We ended up insetting a search and rescue deputy and a paramedic from Cascade Ambulance at Snow Lake, about an hour hike from where she was located." explained Sergeant Jason Reinfeld, "We moved in to assess her and see if she could hike out."

The hiker was hoisted out of the area via helicopter and taken to Cascade Medical Center. She was released the same day.