Eastern Idaho climbers rescued from Alaska mountain

National Park Service officials say two climbers from Idaho who stomped out “SOS” in the snow were rescued unharmed from an Alaska mountain after triggering an avalanche.

Officials say 27-year-old Saxon Spillman of Pocatello and 24-year-old Michael Wachs of Idaho Falls were not caught in the avalanche Monday evening at the 7,500-foot level of Mount Dickey in Denali National Park and Preserve.

Peter Joyce, a friend of the men, said they were skiing down the mountain to become acclimated before they climbed Mount McKinley.

Park spokeswoman Maureen Gualtieri says the climbers tried to leave the area on their own but were unable to find a safe exit route.

The pilot of an air taxi saw the stranded climbers waving their arms near an “SOS” that had been stomped out in the snow on the west shoulder of the 9,545-foot mountain.

Park rangers flew by helicopter to the area after being notified. The helicopter pilot landed on a flat area, and the climbers were flown out.

Friends tell Local News 8 both men once worked as instructors at the Pebble Creek Ski Area and knew the dangers associated with back country skiing.

“They both have certifications in rock climbing and avalanche awareness,” said Joyce, who runs ISU’s Outdoor Adventure Center where he said the men took classes.

Joyce said he spoke to Wachs on Wednesday morning and was told he taken precautions such as conducting a stability test, but said those have been known to be unreliable.

Joyce said both men are OK.

A member of Spillman’s family told Local News 8 he plans to return to Pocatello “within the next couple of days.”