Starving But Safe: 2 Hikers Rescued In North Cascades

DARRINGTON, WA — Two hikers missing since Aug. 23 in the North Cascades near Darrington were found Wednesday. The men had not eaten in five days, but were relatively OK, police said.

David James, 59, and Marshall “Buster” Cabe, 64, set out along the Downey Creek trail on Aug. 16 and were supposed to return by Aug. 23, but never did. The hikers' families called 911 on Monday to report them missing.

A Snohomish County Search and Rescue team located the men on Wednesday near Sulphur Creek, which is southeast of Downey Creek. James was rescued first, and was taken to Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington for treatment. Cabe was rescued about an hour later, but was able to go home.

James told rescue crews that he didn't think he would've survived another 24 hours in the wilderness.

Search teams from the Everett Mountain Rescue, King County Search and Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, and Tacoma Mountain Rescue all helped with the search.

The Downey Creek trail to Cub Lake is about 13.2 miles round trip, according to the Washington Trails Association. The trail reaches a peak elevation of only about 2,400 feet, but there are obstacles along the way, including an avalanche chute and multiple creek crossings, according to WTA.