Update: 4 snowshoers, including 2 West Seattle women, found safe

1:17 PM REPORT: Thanks to Nicole for the tip on this: According to a kirotv.com report, a West Seattle woman is among four snowshoers who are being sought by searchers at Snoqualmie Pass right now. The report says 53-year-old Venetia Runnion of High Point is one of the four, who went snowshoeing yesterday afternoon and called for help four and a half hours later. Reports say all four are in phone contact with rescuers but the visibility’s poor so they’re having trouble narrowing down their location but hope to reach them soon. One of the other three snowshoers is identified by KIRO and by the Seattle Times (WSB partner) as 50-year-old Marynell Matt of Vashon Island, but no names or hometowns are reported for the other two.

1:37 PM REPORT: Good news – all four found safe, per multiple sources including seattletimes.com.

ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: Jennifer had mentioned via Facebook that the group actually included 2 West Seattle women; according to the Times, the other one is 51-year-old Sandie Davis, featured in their update.

hmac December 27, 2010 (1:29 pm)

They were found safe according to KOMO!

WSB December 27, 2010 (1:36 pm)

Just got that from KIRO and am adding to the story. Glad to hear it.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/26287973/detail.html
(added note)
reviewing via Twitter, most regional sources reported it almost simultaneously. Hope they are all well and no serious injuries, will be watching for updates on that. – TR

jiggers December 27, 2010 (1:49 pm)

Who pays the rescue bill?

Tami December 27, 2010 (1:54 pm)

So glad they have been found!

Mark K December 27, 2010 (2:03 pm)

@Jiggers – when I was involved in Search & Rescue (about 10 years ago), Washington State law did not allow for billing the rescued parties for the rescue. So, if that’s still the case it’s on the public, likely Kittitas County, as it’s in their jurisdiction.

West Seattle Steve December 27, 2010 (3:30 pm)

A lot of the search & rescue folks are volunteers. If you’re not bringing in helicopters, the cost for a short search like this shouldn’t be very much.

Who pays for the firetrucks if your house is on fire? or police response to a highway accident? There are lots of costs that are borne by society. That’s what government and taxes are for.

I’m glad they were found in good shape.

Mik December 27, 2010 (4:27 pm)

Denny Creek is in King County, not Kittitas!

Also, as far as rescue and fire/ambulance services, a lot of cities are adding a ‘surcharge’ to recipients of these services to help offset the huge costs for rescue and fire related services.
I’m sure it won’t be long until all counties implement these ‘surcharges’.

Glad to see the women are safe and they were prepared for an overnight outing in the snow.

Mark K December 27, 2010 (4:58 pm)

@ West Seattle Steve – Thanks for filling that in. I get irritated at the focus on “who’s paying” rather than “how are they doing.” But, I figured I’d answer the question posed, and let it be.

Yes, Mik, Denny Creek is in King County. However, Gold Creek (where the ladies were lost) is in Kittitas County.

Can you please provide link to a Washington city or county charging such a surcharge? I can’t find anything in a search, and am curious if Washington state law now allows for such collections…

Dale December 27, 2010 (7:37 pm)

The Snoqualmie ski resort straddles King & Kittitas County. Alpental is in King, Snoqualie East & Central are in Kittitas and Snoqualmie West is bisected by the County Line. I recall defending a case where two snowboarders ran into each other at Snoqualmie West and the appropriate venue was a big issue. Conservative Kittitas County or Liberal King County.

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