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Skier lucky to be alive after getting lost for 21 hours in Mount Baker wilderness

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Seattle backcountry expert skier has been found alive in a remote area of the Mount Baker wilderness by members of a rescue team who happened to be training nearby.

Dave Drulard, 46, fell through a snow bridge and into a stream. He forced himself to keep moving to stay warm.

Howatt said Drulard's wife notified the ski area about 6 p.m. Saturday, when he didn't return from what was supposed to be a short trip.

Mt. Baker Ski Area president Duncan Howatt says employees searched for Drulard until about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, using people on skis, snowmobiles and snow tractors.

Drulard, a sales representative for outdoors equipment manufacturer Patagonia, was nearing physical exhaustion when he was found.

He had been missing for 21 hours when he was found Sunday by two members of a Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council search and rescue team.

After the rescue the council wrote on its Facebook page that, “there was a bit of luck involved, but that’s fine, we’ll take it. As we reflect back on this rescue though, along with others from this crazy winter, there are some REALLY important lessons for us all.”

We saved a life today. There was a bit of luck involved, but that’s fine, we’ll take it. As we reflect back on this...

Posted by Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council on Sunday, February 25, 2018

Three people are missing and presumed dead this winter after they disappeared in the same general location near Heather Meadows.

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