Large Sos Leads To Missing Hikers

A large “SOS” built of snow and rock led searchers Sunday to two hikers who had been lost in Olympic National Park.

The two women, overdue on a six-day backpacking trip that was to have ended Thursday, were in good condition, said park spokeswoman Barb Maynes.

Shari Rubin, 31, of Seattle, and Karen Starke, 30, of Richmond, Va., were found about noon, an hour and a half after aerial searchers spotted the SOS in a meadow near Lake Sundown on the park’s southeast side.

A helicopter picked them up shortly thereafter.

“They’re in great shape, they flew out, they’re going home,” Maynes said.

The women started Sept. 2 at Graves Creek in the Quinault Valley on a planned a 50-mile hike through Enchanted Valley, along the Six Ridge Trail and over several high passes before returning to Graves Creek.

They were to arrive Thursday, but a search was launched Saturday when they failed to report in.

Maynes said the hike had gone as planned until Thursday, when the women lost their way along the Six Ridge Trail, a route not frequently traveled or well maintained.

The two were trying to walk out along a stream bed when they were found, about 4 miles from the SOS.

At the SOS, they had left a message telling of their plans and the direction they were headed, Maynes said.

About 70 searchers and two helicopters were looked for the pair on Sunday.