Norwegian snowboarder Julie Abrahamsen is expected to make a full recovery after three frigid nights lost in the high alpine off Blackcomb resort in Whistler.
The 21-year-old exchange student from Norway was reported missing on Friday, and Whistler RCMP notified the search and rescue squad. She was located Saturday afternoon about 1,600 metres high in a rugged and remote area five kilometres from the ski area boundary.
Whistler search and rescue manager Brad Sills said it was very fortunate to have a good outcome as Abrahamsen had at one point been almost neck-deep in water when she crossed a swollen creek bed as she frantically tried to make her way to safety.
Despite being wet from the creek and heavy rain and snow for three long nights, Sills said she had a strong will to survive and is doing well in hospital.
“She appears to be in remarkably good condition,” he said.
The warm conditions with above freezing temperatures during the nights also helped Abrahamsen endure the ordeal, notes Sills. “Certainly the warm evening nights helped, it was about 3 C,” he said. “But there was heavy rain.”
Abrahamsen’s heritage may also have helped, said Sills.
“I tend to think because she is Norwegian she is used to the cold and wet,” he said.
“It is remarkable she survived. She didn’t allow that set of circumstances to deter her from getting out alive.”
Search and Rescue found Abrahamsen Saturday when the break in weather allowed them to get a helicopter in the air. The helicopter team spotted her tracks and soon found her in extremely rugged terrain near Upper Wedge Creek.
Sills said the helicopter pilot helping with the search had flown over the area on Thursday and noticed tracks. He told the search crew about his observation and they focused in that area.
The search team also knew Abrahamsen had been snowboarding on Blackcomb Wednesday morning after a computer check. “We have her scanned at 11:04 a.m. at
the bottom of Glacier Express chairlift,” said Sills.
“It is outside of the usual curve of survivability,” he said of her ability to survive the harsh elements for three nights in the alpine area.
The search crew also deployed a dog team in their bid to find Abrahamsen.
The delay in starting up the search was because Abrahamsen had just moved into a new residence in Whistler and no one noticed her missing until Friday.
Abrahamsen was released from the hospital and is now recovering at her home in Whistler.
She sent out a Facebook message thanking everyone involved in the successful conclusion.
Her posting said: “After three rough days lost in the mountains I have never been happier to be back to civilization and dear Whistler. Thanks to my concerned dad, the best roomies, a good rescue staff, good doctors and all the friendly caring helping people/seasoners of Whistler. Love you and take care out there.”
Abrahamsen also sent out a message that she would still like to get her snowboard back. Beside a picture of her snowboard she added on Facebook: “BTW if you see this snowboard in the end of some river east of Blackcomb I will be very happy if you tell me.”
