After spending three nights stranded in the snow, snowboarder Julie Abrahamsen has been found alive and well.
Roommates reported 21-year-old Abrahamsen missing on Friday and began spreading alerts on social media when she did not respond to phone calls and messages. She had last been seen Wednesday morning when she left alone for Whistler.
Whistler Search and Rescue crews searched from Friday afternoon until dark and began searching again Saturday morning. Crews in a helicopter were alerted by tracks in the snow and found Abrahamsen near upper Wedge Creek.
“She's just a very strong individual,” said Whistler Search and Rescue manager Brad Sills.
“The fact that it was warmer temperatures probably did help her chances when she was out there,” said Whistler RCMP Sgt. Rob Knapton.”
Abrahamsen is expected to stay the night in hospital under observation. Two of her roommates shared their appreciation for the search crews.
“We’re just so grateful," Gemma Russell said. "They saved her life."
“We were in tears,” said Sierra Niecke. “It is very emotional. Especially when everyone is so grateful that she’s okay, and nothing major has happened to her.”
Search and Rescue teams are thankful for the happy ending, and described the feeling of “elation” when Abrahamsen was found.
“It was a very joyous moment. These moments are big for us, because we don't get them enough of them, quite simply,” Sills said. “So to find somebody with a strong spirit that’s able to endure the past three night’s weather, that's a big win for all of us.”
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Tom Popyk
