Rescuers Descend With Stranded Hikers

Aug. 29, 2008 — -- After being trapped for two days on an 18-inch ledge in the Cascade Mountains, hikers Matthew Edwards, 33, and girlfriend Robin Gibson, 27, began their long-awaited descent from the mountain today with the help of a rescue team.

When the rescue team made contact with them this morning, the hikers were reported to be "cold and wet" but "coherent" and able to walk under their own power.

According to officials, the rescue team will lead the hikers on a 2,000 foot descent to a predetermined rendevous with a waiting helicopter. Bad weather prevented a helicopter rescue at higher elevation.

Edwards and Gibson called 911 on a cell phone Wednesday at around 7:30 p.m. to report they were trapped on the narrow ledge near a region called Dana Glacier, 8,000 feet above sea level. They reported that they had lost most of their equipment, including part of their tent and waterproof clothing.

Since then the Mass. couple endured cold and rainstorms which initially raised health concerns with officials.

Yesterday Edwards and Gibson moved from the ledge to more open space on Dana Glacier, where officials hoped they would be able to find cover from the chilling winds. According to rescuers who met them today, the hikers do not appear to be hypothermic.

Rescue officials have been in contact with the couple via cell phone, but due to concerns over the life of their cell phone battery, calls have been limited to short check-ins.

"Your chances are going to be better if [you] get up onto Dana Glacier, OK?" Skagit County Sheriff's Department Deputy Brad Holmes told the couple in a phone conversation yesterday. "We're trying to get people in there, but you know it's a long way."

Before the team on the ground reached the couple, Navy helicopters made several rescue attempts, but harsh conditions stalled efforts.

"We got within two miles, but they're up the face of a mountain that's preventing us from getting any closer," helicopter pilot James Udall told reporters.

Now rescuers plan to pick up the couple when they reach 6,000 feet above sea level.

As the three-man ground team made its way toward the couple this morning, Deputy Holmes said the pair seemed desperate.

"This morning when I first talked to them it didn't sound good on the phone," Deputy Holmes told "Good Morning America." "They were kind of in a panic. They were really afraid and scared."

Gibson's father, Bill, who flew in this morning from Mass. to be on hand for the rescue, was confident, however.

"She is very, very strong," Gibson told "Good Morning America." "And again, I do have every confidence that she's going to come out of this just fine."