The PMR ready team went to retrieve additional gear, and issued a ‘stand-by’ callout to the rest of the members of PMR.  As the ready team left the Timberline ski area they were joined by two paramedics from the American Medical Response Reach and Treat (RAT) team.  When the reporting party returned to his group, he radioed that the injured skier was unable to move and was waiting with his two other friends on the Reid Glacier.  A full PMR callout was then issued.  The PMR ready team and paramedics on scene were able to reach the patient, stabilized him, and package him in a litter for evacuation.  With the help of the patient’s friends, the team began the long and difficult process of raising the patient using a specialized rope-and-pulley system nearly 1,000 feet to the top of Illumination Saddle. 

While the rescue began in full sunshine and warm temperatures, an approaching storm was visible to the west. With the help of additional PMR rescuers, the patient reached Illumination Saddle as darkness fell and the snowstorm moved in. The first group of rescuers skied down to the lodge with the three members of the party that were mobile. The injured skier was lowered to a waiting snow cat in the ski area and from there was transported to Timberline Lodge and then to an area hospital.