[pct-l] Rescue for Through Hiker Not Necessary

[Donald Pierce]

Search and Rescue Called Off
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office has called off a search and rescue operation for an injured 44 year-old Arizona woman after she decided she could hike out of the back country. 

A spokesperson for Sheriff Mike Harum told GoLakeChelan.com that the woman fell on the Pacific Crest Trail near the head of the south fork of Agnes Creek and had others in the hiking party continue on for help. 

The Sheriff's Office helicopter flew to the location (near Lyman Lake and Holden Village) on Wednesday and was not able to land close by. 

The injured woman was hiking from Mexico to Canada and was well prepared to spend the night 

Crews returned to the area Thursday expecting to either hike from a safe landing zone or call in a larger winch-equiped helicopter to lift the hiker to safety. It was then determined that the woman had a sprained ankle and she decided to hike to Stehekin for aid. The woman is believed to be Jeannie Zortman from Phoenix, Az.